atsda
Posts: 2,495 | Slow Moving TrainsJun 10, 2024 18:14:27 GMT Post by atsda on Jun 10, 2024 18:14:27 GMTWhile I have been waiting to get the lumber (for my new layout) cutting issue resolved with the vendor, I have been ‘exercising’ various engines on a test track on the floor. I ran my GE 44-ton Lehigh Valley (#627, Lionel, 1955-56) with a 4 box car consist. I have been experimenting to see how slowly I could run engines. The test loop measures 51 real feet (two half circles of O72 curves, each measuring 18.85 real ft and two sections of straight track measuring 6.67 real ft.) Using a Lionel 1033 transformer (1948-56), It took this engine 51 seconds to travel the loop at about 6 Volts. The real speed was 1 ft/s. The scale distance was 0.46 mi (in O scale, 110 in = 1 real mi.) The calculated scale speed was about 33 mi/hr. I was hoping to run down to about 20 mi/hr scale speed. This may be impractical – and painfully slow; however, I will try other engines and transformers – however, they may all have starting outputs at 6 Volts and no lower. Alfred How do you like to run your trains? Fast or Slow? Do you care about scale speeds? I enjoy running my trains at slow speed. |
Country Joe
Posts: 9,301 | Slow Moving TrainsJun 10, 2024 18:45:28 GMTcurtis likes this Post by Country Joe on Jun 10, 2024 18:45:28 GMTThis is an interesting topic, Alfred. On my recently dismantled O Gauge layout I ran my trains in the 25 to 35 scale miles per hour range. I liked running at those speeds because it was slow enough to see the details as the trains rolled by and fast enough to be interesting. Slower than 25 smph was too slow for me. I occasionally ran trains in the 40 to 50 smph range but that felt way too fast even though many prototype trains run at those speeds and even faster. I run my N scale FEC trains at about 40 smph. That’s fast enough to make running trains fun and prototypical as well. I’ve clocked FEC trains when I’m driving on US1 and they run at 40 to 50 mph so 40 smph is just right for the layout. |
Last Edit: Jun 10, 2024 18:46:49 GMT by Country Joe Joe |
atsda
Posts: 2,495 | Slow Moving TrainsJun 10, 2024 18:58:47 GMT Post by atsda on Jun 10, 2024 18:58:47 GMTJoe, I agree that running trains at slow speed is more interesting. I like the idea that you run your N scale trains at prototypical speeds. What is the difference in visual perspective when you run O scale and N scale at about 40 mph? Which appears to look like it's running faster? Alfred |
seayakbill
Posts: 235 | Slow Moving TrainsJun 10, 2024 19:07:56 GMTcurtis likes this Post by seayakbill on Jun 10, 2024 19:07:56 GMTI run the freights slow, between 20 and 30 MPH. Passenger a little faster between 30 and 40 MPH. Bill |
josef
Posts: 5,093 | Slow Moving TrainsJun 10, 2024 19:49:38 GMT Post by josef on Jun 10, 2024 19:49:38 GMTI also enjoy running my trains at a slower speed. |
atsda
Posts: 2,495 | Slow Moving TrainsJun 10, 2024 20:29:59 GMT Post by atsda on Jun 10, 2024 20:29:59 GMTAfter doing some quick research about slow speeds that real trains might operate under, I found that under heat orders, in general, freights would reduce speeds by 10 mph and not under 30 mph, and that passenger trains reduce speeds by 20 mph, but not under 40 mph. |
JDaddy
Posts: 3,337 | Slow Moving TrainsJun 10, 2024 21:12:04 GMT Post by JDaddy on Jun 10, 2024 21:12:04 GMT Love to run that fast passenger trains!!! |
Last Edit: Jun 10, 2024 21:13:33 GMT by JDaddy |
