@Tom Tee posted:John, agreed, nothing beats truth, facts & reality but what about the lack of a side rod blur?
Depends on what size the driving wheel diameter is. i.e., Smaller drive wheels will spin faster at 60 smph, while larger drive wheels will spin slower.
Typically, Steam engines meant for freight service had smaller drivers, so they could drag heavy freight trains along, but at slower speeds. While on the other hand, steam engines in passenger service tended to have larger drivers, so they could go faster. But larger drivers also limited the tonnage they could pull. Remember, a larger wheel will cover more distance in one revolution than a smaller wheel would. If both wheels turn at the same rpm, then the larger wheel will go further, which equals faster than the smaller wheel.
Model trains however, can out-perform full size trains. For instance, you can run a 2-8-2 Mikado with smaller drive wheels (typically a freight engine) at 90 smph, and the side rods will be a blur. Which may look fine to some, but others with an eye for scale fidelity would probably cringe. If a real Mikado could get up to that speed, the entire valve gear assembly would explode in short order from all that centrifugal force. Ouch!
