Just out of curiosity how many of you use a fast clock? On my last layout even though it was a 4x8 with two 2x6’s set up into a big U shape, I used a 12:1 fast clock. Actually I used my wrist watch. I enjoyed it, because about half way through my operating session, I’d turn the lights down, and such. Anyway, I’m sorry about all these back to back questions. I was just sitting here going through my modeling notebook that I doodle in and write down ideas for my future layout, and I keep finding things I wrote down. I don’t get to associate much with other modelers. I refuse to go back to my LHS after I got laughed at, when I told them I’m planning a railroad even though small, based on John Allens Gorre & Daphetid. In fact my hidden two track staging yard is going to represent Great Divide on his layout where I interchange with the GD line. Anyway, thanks again for all the great advice and ideas that get posted on here.
I do not use a fast clock on my current layout but have used them on past layouts and have run other railroads with fast clock. The clock speeds used where 12:1, 8:1, 6:1 and a clock that had a varible setting that the owner changed according to the skill of the peaple who where operating. Faster for old hands, slower for newer peaple. He also had a hold switch to stop the clock if there was electrical or mechanical problem with the layout. I enjoyed running with the clocks. I am not using a clock at the present because my layout is mostly switching right now.
The trend appears to be going to slower fast clock speeds such as 4:1 or 3:1. Experience has shown that clock speeds 6:1 or higher become more difficult to operate realistically, especially for those using time table and train orders to control the movements of their trains.
Dave H.
Time to step to the plate and show my ignorance?
Why do you speed up your clock?
SpaceMouse: To simulate traveling longer distances. A fast clock allows the “compression” of space in time-schedule operation. On a typical layout, stations will be a few feet apart–in the real world, sometimes miles. With a, say, 10:1 fast clock, 10 minutes pass in “layout time” for every 1 minute in the real world–thus, the theoretical “distance” between two stations (in terms of the time it takes to travel from one station to the other) is multiplied by ten.
actually, that sounds confusing even to me and I’m the guy who wrote it.
SpaceMouse, do you know what a timetable is?
Because our layouts are normally compressed compared to the real thing (unless you build your layout in a hanger…) so even at nice slow speeds it takes your train only a minute or so to reach the next town. Not very realistic, especially if you are trying to say that these towns are miles and miles apart. So, you speed up time. At a 6:1 ration, for every 10 minutes of ‘real time’ that goes by, a hour of fast time passes. Now your minute trip takes 6 minutes, a LOT better.
–Randy