[xx(]
I have an HO scale Bachmann ACELA, and only run it at NO MORE than
60%.[8D]
I have a few N-Scale Japanese Bullet Trains. Our club rules specify that we can’t run more then 50% at shows.
In the club room, I have let it all out tho…
Interesting question this. I usually run “fast” trains at reasonable speeds - probably about 60 - 70% of their scale top speed. If you run too quickly, apart from potential derailments the detailing on your models will not be seen, also, running at top speed on exhibition layouts is definately “out” as it makes your carefully crafted model railroad look like a kid’s first train set!
I run it until Scotty say’s “Captain I can not give you any more speed, she’s gonna break apart”!
My feeling is that our model locos can run at speeds way beyond what I would call “realistic scale speed”.Even on a large layout,wich I don’t have by the way,pushing them too fast will result in a much smaller looking layout.On my pretty small layout,I rarely run my engines over 20% or so,because higher speeds make my layout look even smaller as they will go the whole pattern in a matter of seconds.
There probably is a formula that permits calculating “scale” speed,accounting for the prototypical speeds versus our much smaller scale engines speeds,but what about a “realistic scale speed” formula that would take into account a third parameter,say layout size or time for a completed pattern?Just a crazy idea…
As a matter of fact,I don’t at all care about formulas,scale speeds,etc…What I like is to look at my locos at eye level,see them coming,passing…and then going,and the longer it lasts the happier I am.
I remember my first train ride and how the liner just flew around the curves in southern Ontario. Also I have seen people nearly fall over from the wind created on platforms by Express GO trains blowing through stations. I run slightly faster than scale speed on my HO scale commuter layout, and while I don’t run trains at their limits durring sessions, every time I get a new engine I see how fast it can sprint before putting in service.
Yes I agree to this, Safety is always my priority and the fact that I try to
not burn out my motors.
I’am not into passenger trains but if you insist I 'll run it about 40% not that it really matters.Eastcoast you must sit around and just make up polls for us to vote on.This is not NASCAR or the NHRA Its Ok too pu***hem but whats your point after you get the land speed record on the rails.Unless you are trying to see if the manufacture is telling the truth?Go ahead Eastcoast brake them in real good.Just post the elasped time or give us top end speed ha ,ha ha
ok tarwheel38, good come back.
I understand your point but why be comparing this to racing?
I really do in all honesty take very good care of my equipment.
The question,yes,was farfetched a little but I felt it sparks imagination
in some. And I do realize that few would actually go full speed
including myself.
Speed depends on track conditions and curve radius. Even 22" radius curves will slow me down.
For a Bachmann, I would work up it up to WOT (Wide Open Throttle). For brass, 60% or so would be fine.
Later…
Bah if you don’t run it at 100% at least once, somethings wrong. course that’s only once, after that slow it down to about 70-80% and make sure on an HO scale make the curves very very wide and the straighst very very long for that 100%+ run
Just tried to see how fast a kato bullet train would go and the recording from the speedometer read 200kmp/h
I know the French TGV sets have hit 300 km/h
For those that run 100% throtle my question is what is the bank % on your curves? 10%, 15%, 20% or more? [:)]
When I was a preteen I measured the length of the track in my layout and calculated the scale length. Then I hooked up my Athearn Hustler which would go like stink to a caboose and pronounced it the ‘Executive Express’. From my calculations it was doing about 200 scale mph before it derailed and rolled several times across the scenery.
More recently I built a pulse throttle from scratch and ran a longish freight train at turtle speed. I asked my wife for her opinion and she said it looked like the train she had to wait for that morning.
Charles
Hillsburgh On
% of Throttle doesn’t mean anything, esp. N scale, with various locos, they can all top a scale 70+ - I don’t turn my stereo all the way up either, just to the point it sounds good, goes harsh, then back down a bit.
I run well above scale speeds for short bursts, but mostly keep my trains at 40-60 mph, the passengers would be all on one side of the car in real life… I like to corner fast, like my car is on rails, liked to feel the 4 wheel drift in my car, have to cool it during the snow and ice season tho’
I keep the speeds down on my passenger trains, I don’'t want them crashing off the track, messing up anything. I remember the ATSF through Arcadia, CA, guess they ran mostly 45-50 along Colorado Blvd, that is my most common speed except on the straights. Train chasing, except Amtrak in the Illinois countryside, says 45-55, so we can catch up to those, but Amtrak is more like 70-75 on the straights w/o crossings. In Japan rode the Bullet Train, felt like about 120mph, the speedo in the snack car was over 120km per hour, maybe up to 180-190K, a bit past 108 mph.
Sadly I’m one of those silly fellas who has to try everything out to the max now and then. But with DCC and speed tables I’m finding myself spending a lot more time researching the real thing to find the true to life handling and speed capabilities. I’m trying to make my Locos just like the real thing…“only smaller”
My layout isn’t big enough nor has curves wide enough to waba***rains. The max radius is 24". So my top speeds are somewhere between 30 and 40 mph.
A 6’ shelf layout isn’t enough roomt to build up any speed, most of my rolling stock is low-geared switching locomotives that don’t go that fast flat-out, and I maintain a 25 MPH speed restriction on my mainline, since it is running down a residential street!
I run slow through a few of the club turnouts that have given me problems before I try to test for top speed. My new Metro-liners came with narrow wheels and they fell into the gap at the frog. The replacement wheels work better but the cars keep me from running the locomotive at top speed.
It seems that the young guys like to run high speed Santa’s specials or long trains even though they make life miserable for the other members.
Lindsay