Back in the day,say 40+ years ago,I used to be a little fearless and crank the ole ZW up a little 😉
My childhood layout had a straight stretch on the back side of about 15ft and I could really get some speed built up.
But sad and embarrassed to say now,a few steamers met their demise in deadmans curve !
My late father would hear the thump from downstairs open the door and ask "what fell this time ? ".
Marx always seemed to get more speed than the Lionels did.
I've learned today that full speed isn't prototypical, but a little nudge on the throttle is fun to a regulated ,being my hand,degree.