running your layout at speed at scale

I thought I saved a formula for this, but I can't find it? Maybe someone else will post it?

Here's a ready made one. Boulder Creek Engineering

I use Handy Converter for model railroads from Stan's Trains to calculate this. It does all kinds of model train and scale conversions. Pretty inexpensive.

I have the Boulder Creek Engineering product and they work great... give them a try... let them know you a 3rail guy..

Engineering product,formulas,scale MPH Etc,Etc.I guess some may prefer to keep things more complex than to simplify instead.OK- understood.As an alternative solution,why not just run your trains at a speed that you individually think looks good.Nick

I've used a formula that calls for measuring the number of inches covered in 2.5 seconds for 'O'. It was part of a list of equivalent figures for other gauges (5 for HO, 7.5 for N, etc).

The hard part would be getting accustomed to counting seconds. I did this, but only really use the method to gain a ballpark figure--obviously one isn't going to measure inches traveled by eye and get it precisely.

---PCJ

I have had my eye on the Boulder Creek one for sometime. If these new catalogs would just leave me alone for at least one version...

Lionel has a pedestrian bridge with optical sensors for scale speed indication

http://www.lionel.com/products...neID=&CatalogId=

You beat me to it, Stan. I have one sitting NIB in the original shipping carton right now. Email me if you're interested in making an offer.

As for the speed formula, I've personally been using it since 1981 in PLC applications. This is not unique to O Gauge model railroading and was well established eons before Command Control was ever dreamed of.  If anyone if interested, just let me know. It's pretty simple math.

Gilly

not crazy about the lionel at least my layout, maybe the sensors alone and go from there.

i am impressed with the boulder creek one it could go anywhere on my set up, just do not have the long straight runs that some do

Here's a Bushnell Speed Gun for $80:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer...F8&condition=new

Just multiply the result by whatever scale you running!

The one thing I have noticed is that a model train moving very slowly to our eyes is actually very fast as measured by scale speed.  Very few people can run trains at scale speeds for an extended period without getting impatient.  "That train went into the tunnel a long time ago.  I wonder if it is moving?"

pelago,read this you may like it? also check out my web site.

To figure scale miles per hour (or kilometers per hour) don't you need a scale measured distance, and also scale time?

I remember back in the day Railroad Model Craftsman had articles on using scale time to make timetables work right for operations. Guys were regearing clocks to run faster, the speed dependent on the scale being modeled.

been looking at the boulder creek unit and web page and i can not see if the unit is one direction?  will it read if train going other waw?

It will display the train speed in either direction.  Be aware that is works with a pair of optical sensors, so the track where the sensors are placed needs to be pretty well lit (ideally from directly above).  There is an adjustment for light intensity but mine was giving false readings until I added some light to the scene.

got just the spot         

thanks

Here is more info you may like?

https://ogrforum.com/t...86#39863554133105886

Because that would be sensible.  Too sane.

Pete

You need to know the pulses per motor revolution, the final drive ratio (gearing) and the diameter of the drive wheel(s). Simplified, you count pulses per second and relate that to wheel rotation over the same period.

I concur that even 35 smph looks slow....

Gilly

 and too cheap