HO Scale Train Speed Chart

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Use this link to my Train Speed Chart. The instructions follow. All you need to do is measure the time it takes a train to move a distance that you decide upon and measure. Then insert that distance into the chart and for the time that you have measured, read the speed of the train in scale miles per hour from the chart. If you use the same distance, you can then vary the train speed and determine a new value from the same chart, and maybe even match it to positions on your speed controller.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AhhBCe77kgaSdHpMZ0ZCNExISDFZWHdTcVdJRFFxemc&hl=en

Here are the instructions:

Excel Spreadsheet Chart for Determining HO Scale Train Speed in Miles per Hour

In order to use this Excel spreadsheet on your HO layout, follow the steps below:

  1. Select a convenient distance along your track.

  2. Measure that track length in feet. Any fraction is OK if in decima

2

Looks like you put some effort into the chart. I still like my way better. Start the engine at point A, pop a top of a brew and count the sips I take till the engine gets back to Point A. 30 sips is 30 sMPH! [:-^] Not as accurate, but sure is fun.

When I was racing, I did a chart something like this to figure rear gear ratios, tires sizes and RPM’s. It was fun point to the bench racers that claimed there cars could do 150 MPH with 3:23 gears they have to be spinning 7000 RPM’s.

3

My charger with 3.23s would push 140 at 6500. Over 120 in Third gear too. That’s a great way to spin a bearing. Don’t ask how I know that. Ah, the good old days.