Prototype speeds

[cfinchum]

Not knowing anything about real trains, Trying to set up speed steps for my locos. Programing speed steps for switchers, do they have quicker start speeds and stopping. Should I set lower deceleration than a road loco? This is for ho scale. Anybody out there that run the real things? Only thing I know about real trains is that their big and you want to stay out It's way.

 

[Scordicus]

Switchers typically have much higher torque but much lower top speed than road engines and yards afaik are usually restricted to around 20-25mph anyways, so you want it to creep really with a top speed of about 40mph...

 

[Motley]

You definitely should stay out of it's way. You had me chuckle on that one.

 

[bnsf971]

Switchers are geared lower, so they can kick cars without the *notch out the throttle**** **wait for the prime mover to load**** **start moving* *apply the brakes* *Stop* part, at least, not so much.
It's more *notch out the throttle* *wait for the prime mover to load, and the engine to start moving* *apply the brakes* *stop*

You can adjust most decoders to have a non-linear throttle response, so they start rolling quicker.

 

[cfinchum]

Ok. Is there a much difference between switcher's, road switcher's and mainline loco's, Or nowadays is there so much crossover those titles are less defined? I'm thinking of the business practice of one does many jobs. What is considered a mainline loco today. Thanks CF.

 

[Scordicus]

cfinchum maybe this speed set-up will help.. (From a Digitrax decoder set-up manual)

Loco Type - Switcher.
Concentrated low speed. Limited top speed
V Start - CV02 = 002
V Mid - CV06 = 038
V Max - CV05 = 064

Loco Type Road Switcher.
Prototypical top speed w/evenly distributed curve from 0 to top speed
V Start - CV02 = 002
V Mid - CV06 = 048
V Max - CV05 = 098

Loco Type Mainline Loco
Quick increase to cruising speed then levels off to prototypical top speed.
V Start - CV02 = 002
V Mid - CV06 = 128
V Max - CV05 = 154

 

[lmackattack]

the way I set up the speed of my locos is to know what they perform most of the time.

a road unit will have a slow start but a higher top end
a yard unit will have a fast start but slower top end.



now after saying that I try to keep all my locos speed matched so they can all run with each other. I tend to set their top speed to around 80MPH (unloaded speed) then adjust each one to accell and decell at the same rate. I find if I can do this they all run with each other and their loaded top speed when pulling cars is closer to 65MPH...

just my .02