Scale speed calculation

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I want to know an easy way to calculate the scale speed of the HO scale trains. Without speedometer obviously.

2

one foot per second should work out based on the following:one mile equals 5280 feet divided by 60 seconds which equals 88 feet/second.ho scale has a ratio of 1:87.therefore one actual foot would be 87 feet in ho.

3

Thanks for the straight forward explanation, Gilbert. I’m going to start using it at shows to explain to the veiwing public why we run trains at the speeds we do.

Clear tracks.

Al D., Rail Baron
White Bear Lake & Northern RR
“Making Tracks Across Minnesota”
http://www.geocities.com/wblnrr

4

A close approximation would be:one actual foot length (12 inches)would be 60 mph.

5

That is something I also have wondered (but never really done anything) about. I take it you mean one foot per second, right?
Matt

6
  1. Add up the total number of running feet.
  2. with a second hand counter watch, slect your start/finishing place
  3. throttle up and tally the # of seconds it takes
    from start to finish in feet.
  4. divide total # of feet by the # of seconds, then multiply that answer by 60, equals HO scale speed
    EXAMPLE,an oval tract set of of 40 feet, in 20 seconds, divide 40 by the 20 seconds, equals 2, times 60 equals 120MPH HO Scale.
    For 40 feet in 40 seconds, equals 1, times 60 equals 60MPH HO scale.
7

Hi Charles
For the less able, how do I calculate for N gauge?
Regards

8

I CAN’T TAKE THE CREDIT FOR THIS ONE. GO TO www.atlasrr.com I REFLECTED YOUR QUESTION.ONE
OF THE FORMULAS CAME BACK. ITS A GREAT PAGE

9

George,

The ratio in N scale for a 60 mph train would be 33 inches per 5 seconds.

Good Luck - Ed

10

Hi Ed
I am off to get a tape measure & see how I am doing. Thanks a ton for the help.

11

FORMULA FOR SCALE SPEED
DISTANCE X 3600 DIV 5280 X (87) DIV BY TIME
EX:
.681(87)=59.24 X 8FT=473.92
DIV 5 SEC.=94.78 SCALE MPH.
EX
.681(87)=59.24 X 8FT=473.92
DIV 7 SECONDS=67.70 SCALE MPH
FROM ARTICLE IN NMRA BULLITIN-- HOPE THIS HELPS

12

Thanks for the info, browsing old topics also answers questions !