I measured several of the Weaver and Williams brass that came through here, and some did have up to 44:1 gear ratios. With the motor screaming at 8,000 RPM, they were doing around 38 scale MPH. I never saw one with 72:1 gear ratio, that wouldn't have much of a top end I suspect!
@harmonyards posted:The worm wheel in the pics of that locomotive has very fine teeth. If it were 16:1 those teeth would be far fewer, and further apart,….I’m not seeing 16:1 with that worm wheel…….
Right you are, that looks like the ones I'm talking about.