what is it? Scale time device?
It is a clock that runs fast! The good ones can be set to run at several differant ratios, 2 to 1, 4 to 1, 6 to 1, etc. They speed up time to make a small railroad seem bigger, or give more realistic times between stations. The current thinking appears to be moving away from the use of fast clocks, or going to slower ratios than was popular not to long ago.
why move away from fast clocks?
It seems to enhance the realism of a model railroad
I don’t actually believe that people are moving away from fast clock, even though we aren’t hearing as much about them these days. Fast clocks aren’t for everyone, they take the right kind of railroad design and desire for prototypical operation. Ratios can go as fast as 12:1 or more depending on the size of your layout.
From what I’ve read, many modelers and especially clubs still use “fast clocks”. It’s just that it’s no longer a “big deal” like it was back in the 80s. I personally like the challenge of using a fast clock for an operating session as you’re operating under “real world pressure”, especially for operating passenger trains & freights at the same time.
I plan on employing a fast clock for my future layout, but I’m not going to be severe about it. As a modeler stated on another thread, there will be times when I’ll just want to relax and will be content to sit and watch a train run continuously.
What are the prices of fast clocks today? I would prefer the “arm moving” clock as opposed to digital as I would like a 1960s atmosphere for my RR.
Thanks, and Happy Easter!
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A fast clock is the one I have at home and a slow clock is the one at work!! [:D]
Here’s some…no affiliation, etc.
CBQ_Guy,
Thanks for the info! Glad they’re still available. It may be a few months but I defeinitly want one!
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Personally I prefer to operate my railroad in real time. It’s women that I prefer to be fast.
Fast women?
Can be very, very hazardous to your physical and financial health! I know SCORES of victims.
heh…I know people that have fast women…its not pretty.
Thanks for the info.
One problem with fast clocks is that, properly done, switching can be almost as slow as “real time” while freight and passenger runs are so short that we need the fast clock to avoid a real time schedule measured in fractions of a minute.
A friend of mine took a standard cheap battery clock of the kind you would hang on a kitchen wall. Using his computer he created a new 24 hour clock face with the 1300 hours 1400 hours etc being inside the outer numbers (do I make myself clear? In other words the clock face was still divided into 12 hours). He then removed the hour hand so the minute hand points to the hours. It is of course a bit imprecise but close enough for operating session purposes – he uses timetable and train order so we have to OS departures and arrivals to the dispatcher. Total cost: is a few bucks. He bought three identical clocks so all parts of his layout have clear visuals of the time.
Dave Nelson
That will also result in “smiles”.