Hi Guys
How fast should I be running my mainline trains on my HO layout, and How do I go about measuring this??
Jeremy
Several other threads have asked this similar question, though maybe for other scales. Check out the replies to this thread:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8982
As fast as you want, physics permitting. [:)]
as fast as trains stay on the track (I found that out the hard way).
Industrial and yard tracks 10 mph or less.
Branchlines and pre 1940 secondary mainlines, 25 mph freight, 45 mph passenger.
Mainlines 45-60 mph freight, 60-79 mph passenger.
Balance the speed accordingly to what you think looks right for your layout.
Dave H.
being as i have a 5 foot straight section of track to play with i back the consist up to the edge of the board and put it up to 40-50 for like a 27 inches then put it down to about 10 so i can bring it to the edge and reverse it and do it again.
As fast as you can without getting stopped for speeding.
Gordon
I usually run fairly slow - otherwise you can’t see the detail that you spent ages adding to the loco and cars!
A good rule of thumb is one actual foot in one second is very close to 60mph. Except for intermodal and mail that is generally above normal operating practice and rules. 50-55mph is about tops. So extrapolating you want to cover about 10" in one second to be at the top realistic speed for freights. If we were honest we would be dwon to about 1-2mph on our curves.