How fast does a Galloping Goose operate?

I'd wager no faster than 30mph, more likely around 20mph.

Rusty

Good morning Tim,  The pierce-arrow 6 cylinder engines were quite powerful and capable of higher speeds than a normal train, through they averaged about 20 mph.  By the way fuel consumption was about 5 1/2 miles to the gallon.  Have a great day,Bruce

Tim, Top speed was 30 mph, but they usually ran at 20 mph.  This information was found at  rgsrr.home.comcast.net/~rgsrr/rgs/goose_tline.html

Motor #1 is built from a Buick "Master Six" four-door sedan, a creation of Superintendent Forest White and Chief Mechanic Jack Odenbaugh. This first motor in the line that eventually led to the larger motors (the Geese) weighed just 5300 lbs, and was only 20'-0" long. It's engine developed 28 hp, and top speed was 30 mpg (although 20 mpg was more typical). Cost was $828.55. It had a cab capable of carrying 2 passengers, and a stake body in back for mail and other cargo. Color was dark green or black.

When stating horsepower, one should be aware that there used to be something called "taxable horsepower," derived from a calculation based on cylinder size.  My father's 1937 Studebaker President 8 cylinder was rated at 30 THP, even though 120 HP.  My 1950 Studebaker Commander was rated at 26 THP, although the motor was 102HP@3200RPM.  In those days, NJ (among others) based the registration fee on taxable horsepower.

From what I have heard of narrow gauge lines I doubt the track was in the greatest condition.  There probably never was a great amount of money put into the track, and after first being built even less was spent. That limits the speed and curves may have been abrupt and sharp.

The Goose was used in the dark days of railroading during the depression where they didn't have any money, either to operate larger trains or to maintain the track.

Tim,

As you can tell by the above posts speed was not a important factor. IMHO I would think that dependability was most important.

I would think that running yours at a more comfortable pace would be better than attempting 20-30 smph.

For sure, there are/were  trestles and sharp curves, and curved trestles, on which I

am sure there were slow orders in place.  The geese were built as emergency efforts

to stave off bankruptcy, and every cost saving measure was in place, including track,

roadbed, and rolling stock maintenance.  Steam was, more than occasionally, sent out

to rescue broken down ones.  I think I have read that passengers sometimes walked

across the trestles, so high speed, it was not.  It is just too bad that the whole

system, from Durango through to Ridgway, not to mention Grande trackage east to

Alamosa, was not preserved, as a giant National Park.

The MTH Goose runs fine at any speed you like.  I have one that was PS/1, so I upgraded it to TMCC, it gets quite a few looks at modular shows.

Thanks for the comments, reason I asked is so I can run it at a speed where people can see it. My Goose is Proto 3.0 and it is the DRGW 7.

Hi Tim - I have been on a Galloping Goose, Ridgeway, Colorado • 30mph for tourist.

This video is like your RailKing

Gary - Cheers from The Detroit and Mackinac Railway

Coupla little gripes that kept me from buying an MTH "Goose":  First, the MTH model is not to 1/48 scale.  It's in correct proportion to "0" gauge track, which is actually a scale 5' gauge, but the "Geese" were operated on narrow gauge track, which was only 36" gauge.  So that the model is actually much closer to 1/35 scale, or somewhere around that, way over sized for any structures, scenery, etc. on an "0" gauge layout.

Then, why does everyone have to refer to these little models as "diesels"?  In fact, they were originally powered by Pierce Arrow, 8 cylinder, in-line gasoline engines and then, when those wore out, they replaced them with GMC, six cylinder gasoline engines in the 1940's.  Detroit Diesel was just starting to develop the two cycle, diesel engine at that time.

Wish that someone would make one of those little guys in true 1/48 scale for narrow gauge "0" track.  (Not the 30" narrow gauge of the 0n30 guys, although that would be a closer model)'

Paul Fischer

Precision Craft made them. I've got No. 3.

But you're going to have to make an investment in On3 track and a transformer if you want to operate it. That's the beauty of the MTH goose for this side of the hobby.

I would also think that the "quality" of track and grade that many of these ran on,  they were often 15mph or under.   Rural stuff mostly for this engine.

Love my MTH PS2.0 of this model,  the sound set is very unique and the trolley stops on auto if you just want some simple set variance is great.

When we have folks over it is often that I put this one up as it is quite a conversation piece as it stops and starts barking out the local and station stop name.

Mark

Oh,  I should add I operate mine typically 10mph or less,  but that's just my preference..........

Mark