eBay

ginzokid · ‎07-13-2005

I ran across an interesting article yesterday in an old magazine of mine about how to make a "Speed Trap" for your trains to determine the scale speed. I can't believe how simple it is. The formula I'll give you in a minute looks weird, but it somehow takes into consideration the coefficient of friction. Don't ask. Just plug in the numbers and it works. How to make the "Speed Trap": Measure off a level straight section of track a minimum of 2 feet long and mark it with "mile posts" or something. The longer the section you can measure, the more accurate the figures will be. (I am fortunate enough to have a 6 foot section to use.) What to do: Run your train through the "Speed Trap" at the speed you feel is "right" and time it with a second hand or stop watch if you have one. Be sure the train is running at speed before it gets to the measurement area. The Formula: Take the measured distance and divide it by the seconds it took to traverse it. This will give you Feet/Second. Now Multiply this figure by 59.3. The result will be Scale Speed in MPH. The scale of your trains does not matter. The same formula works for all scales. Here are some of my figures. I ran the 2-8-0 through at 9 seconds which gave 6ft/9sec = .666 f/s x 59.3 = 39.5 smph. A 12 second run gave; 6ft/12sec = .5 f/s x 59.3 = 29.6 smph. The Shay and Climax were both run through at 25 seconds; 6ft/25sec = .24f/s x 59.3 = 14.2 smph. I next took a 4 foot section of my N scale test track and tried it with the only N scale engine I have, the Shay. Was I ever off on that one! First run was 5 seconds or 4ft/5sec = .8f/s x 59.3 = 47.4 smph. For a Shay, that was "Rocket" speed. Second run was 15 seconds or 4ft/15sec = .26f/s x 59.3 = 15.8 smph. Now that is better and you can see the comparison between both scales at the slower speed. Just for kicks I figured out the length of time it should take for "A mile a minute" in a 4 foot run; 3.95 seconds. Have fun with this guys and how about reporting any results you get. I learned to slow my trains down. What will you all learn... The Codfadda B-) Try it guys. I think you will find that what you "feel is right" might be a bit fast.

ginzokid · ‎07-20-2005

John, You are our RR man. What's the answer? B-)

untabubba · ‎07-20-2005

Pete, Unless the engineer was hiding, my boy was alone! The cab on this thing was pretty wide open and looked pretty small. This was a switcher type loco, not a big "enclosed cockpit" type, like an old F or E. I'm not even sure it had glass in the windows! I looked as closely as I could, for as long as it was close enough. I was immediately struck by the fact that he seemed alone. I did not see another person! Do these locos have a "below", like a boat? He jumped off and back on the right side. I didn't see any device in his hand, other than the flag. Punk, I am certainly no expert on locos, but this looked like an older, little Dash, but flat in the back, (no short hood), like a switcher. Dashes are GEs, correct? This whole episode would fit perfectly with what you say you saw on TV. It didn't take but thirty seconds. He had plenty of time to "reset" a two minute timer device! As for the "road", I saw an MoW truck today, along another stretch of track. You know, those trucks with tires AND train wheels. It said Pennsylvania Rail Lines on the door. So, when I thought I saw PPL, it must have been PRL! I did not have my glasses on alright?!? This is definitely a small time, local operation. We ain't talking CSX and big time consists here. Strictly local-yokel! Who knows what antics they may pull. Lots of people do lots of things the "authorities" wouldn't like, Pete! I'm sure railroad men are no exception! Marc

untabubba · ‎07-20-2005

The loco may have looked like this...maybe there was a short hood and I don't remember the "dynamic brakes"(?). It was rounded off on the top end of the long hood. http://www.northeast.railfan.net/images/csxt3168.jpg I didn't commit this to memory and I'm not very well "schooled" on loco recognition! Marc

crazyd37 · ‎07-20-2005

I WON MY CLICK CLACKS, WATCH OUT WORLD! dz

crazyd37 · ‎07-20-2005

Looks like one of those days you wish you had a camera in the car day! Even one of those cell phones with photo ability would have been good to have for a quick shot of that train! DZ

untabubba · ‎07-21-2005

One of those things I "keep meaning to do", Dot! Marc

crazyd37 · ‎07-21-2005

Don't we all! I even have an old digital camera that doesn't get used sitting right here on my desk when it should be in the car. Maybe tomorrow... if I don't forget it AGAIN! DZ

beastranger · ‎07-21-2005

I think that is one of those things all of us keep meaning to do. I hate to think of how many good photos I've missed over the years. Punk

untabubba · ‎07-22-2005

......and when you grab it the f**kin' batteries are ALWAYS DEAD!!!! X-( Marc

beastranger · ‎07-22-2005

----and of course my camera takes some oddball battery that nobody carries or it costs $10. Punk

untabubba · ‎07-22-2005

I REALLY hate THAT! Marc

flaretired · ‎07-23-2005

I tried your speed trap last night on my test track. Only have a two foot straight section but found out all engines are not equal. Leaving the speed control in the same position some engines run faster and some run slower. Also adding cars effect the speed. I thought I would be able to mark my speed knob for scale speed. I got a variance of over 5 miles different between engines. (no load). All Atlas and different styles and DCC. I also have some DC engines that are not worth converting and what a difference in those. It was a very good experience to realize just how fast I was running my engines. Chuck 🙂