Spreadsheet for Determining HO Scale Speed using a Stop Watch

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Here are my instructions for using the spreadsheet that I created in 2006.

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 decimal form, for instance, 6.5 feet or 13.25 feet. If the track selected is not straight, I place a flexible rope along the curve, mark the rope and then measure the length after stretching the rope out in a straight line.

  3. Have the train, or engine alone, running at constant speed along the selected track. I mark the beginning and end points of my selected track with small pieces of tape. Or one could paint beginning and ending ties with a bright color.