I build a 4-8-4 from a IHC 4-8-2 chassis and a Cannon 5 pole motor. Runs ok for a IHC drive ,but the top speed is low. Ok for now as this is for freight and the drivers come out to be a scale 64 inches. I am guessing maybe 45mph . Would be slow for a passenger train. Does anybody know the formula for measuring scale speed ? Here is the video
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but here's how i believe you can calculate it. In 1:1 scale 1 foot per second=.682 miles per hour. if you scale that for HO 1/87 scale then 1ft/s=.682 x 87 or 59.3mph. 2ft/s would double it at 118.6mph. So what you could do is time how long it takes the loco to move 2 feet. Then divide 118.6 by the time in seconds and that should give you the scale speed. Ex. (made up numbers) Loco is timed at 3 seconds to move 2 feet. Speed would equal 118.6mph/3=39.5 scale mph. 2 feet in 2 seconds=59.3mph, etc.
That looks to be a little too fast for the curves and switches. But I've never been in or seen a steamer running freight.
