I have a question about the speed of a train.

Hi all! I have a question about a battery operated g scale train made by New Bright that I’m buying on eBay. The seller said that it took 20 seconds for it to complete one lap around an 18ft. perimiter. I’m really puzzled; would that be slow or fast? Someone else suggested it was slow but he wasn’t sure.

So that’s 54 feet/min or 0.9 feet/sec.
That’s equivalent to 0.61 mph x 32 (new bright is 1:32 scale) for a top speed of about 20 smph (scale miles per hour). 20 smph is a bit slow for old steamers but not bad. Having just seen my dvd of “Emperor of the North Pole” today while on vacation, 20 mph was high balling for old #19.

-Brian

Well…

Speaking as a 16mm scale modeller -the originals of most of my SM32 creations were limited by UK law to a top speed of 25mph. The fastest of my fleet is the Double Fairlie which is capable of 15mph (scale) -most of my other creations move at scale speeds of 4 and 8 mph -just like the originals!!!

The Gauge 3 track has been designed to take a scale speed of 60 mph -yes you can get superelevation wedges at this scale!!!

regards

ralph

Well, I finally thought it over and I’m not going to purchase it. I’m going to get another that the seller states it to be 20-30 smph. By the way, if one replaces a non-working set of machinery in an engine and replace it with a matching working one is the engine still considered “the same”? It’s what I call an overhaul when the motor just gives up and nothing else can be done.

I’m kinda curious why the speed of the train is important. Could you please elaborate?

Mark

Well, with a battery operated engine, it’s a sign that the machinery is in good working order. And besides, I prefer when they are at peek performance (with new, fresh batteries) It runs fastest and smokes the most and whistle is loudest; I bet the neighbors can probably hear it![:D]