@coach joe posted:Mel that's a handsome brute of a switcher. Good to see the New Haven keeping it clean and spiffy. During your videos, I perceive the steam engines slowing, more audible than visual, in curves and while on bridges. Knowing your attention to detail I was wondering if you were manipulating the throttle, as a real engineer may, for the conditions or if the engine was just re-acting to the track conditions? Again it's more a change in sound than an actual slowing of the engine. And as I said that's my perception and I know, contrary to current beliefs, perception is not reality.
Joe,
The transformer throttle is set and both hands are used to hold the camera while recording the videos.
In my experience, no speed control is perfect. On both my layouts, the tables and track are level, the track sections (on straights and curves) are aligned, and there are multiple power-drops to the track. There is more drag and reduced electrical contact as an engine and train cross a switch, and the inertia of the train prevents the speed control from reacting quickly enough to prevent a slight drop in speed or change in sounds, especially when the entire train transitions from a straight to a curve. Steam engines have more internal friction than diesels due to the rod and valve mechanisms, so these effects may be more noticeable than on diesels. Any change in sounds is also more apparent on a steam engine with its rhythmic chuffing compared to the steady drone of a diesel. Two other factors on this particular engine are that there are no pickup-rollers under the engine – only under the tender - and the narrow scale-width driving-wheels have no traction-tires. This engine, and some others by MTH, would benefit by adding a pickup-roller under the engine. It also helps if track is absolutely clean. Mine is not dirty but engines run best immediately after cleaning the track, wheels and rollers with 91% isopropyl alcohol. None of this is intended as an excuse. However, the speed and sound variations with this engine and train are quite small and seem normal to me. In my opinion, the best speed control is found on MTH diesels with PS3. I will run one next week and you can tell me what you think. I also think that MTH speed control on my steam engines is better than on my Lionel engines.
MELGAR
