Not sure if this is the proper place to post this question, so I apologize in advance (Please don't boot me off the Guage! This is the best forum I've found).
I purchased the Bachmann On30 2-truck Shay, and love its speed. I found a web-site that had a table showing what loco speeds are in scale over a 3 foot section. The Shay starts at about a scale 2mph and tops out at 15mph. Great, just what I wanted.
After being pleased with the Shay's performance, I purchased an 0-4-2 Porter. I was a bit disappointed by its operation. Start speed was around 5mph, and topped out around 30mph. Its speed increased dramatically after the initial start speed.
I am in the planning phase for a fictional branchline shelf layout (logging and mining with light passenger traffic and freight to support the small population in a couple "imaginary" settlements). Shelves to be 20" wide, 2 or 3 modules to fill a 12 foot section of wall initially. Then corner modules and another 12 foot section to enable continuous running later. So I really would like all locos to run at 15 mph max, but mostly at the slower speeds. The Shay is smooth (for my taste and budget), but the Porter is jerky at slow speed.
Has anyone addressed the quality and speed of the motor in the Porter? I'm all thumbs when it comes to these things. But I can usually do most things if I have an example to follow. Has anyone regeared one of the Porters? Or installed a different motor that gives more accurate speed control? Or am I wanting too much from the Porter? I'm thinking about getting another Shay and using the Porter as a "scene" for a junk track.
Thanks for any help. The Gauge is a great Forum!
James
I purchased the Bachmann On30 2-truck Shay, and love its speed. I found a web-site that had a table showing what loco speeds are in scale over a 3 foot section. The Shay starts at about a scale 2mph and tops out at 15mph. Great, just what I wanted.
After being pleased with the Shay's performance, I purchased an 0-4-2 Porter. I was a bit disappointed by its operation. Start speed was around 5mph, and topped out around 30mph. Its speed increased dramatically after the initial start speed.
I am in the planning phase for a fictional branchline shelf layout (logging and mining with light passenger traffic and freight to support the small population in a couple "imaginary" settlements). Shelves to be 20" wide, 2 or 3 modules to fill a 12 foot section of wall initially. Then corner modules and another 12 foot section to enable continuous running later. So I really would like all locos to run at 15 mph max, but mostly at the slower speeds. The Shay is smooth (for my taste and budget), but the Porter is jerky at slow speed.
Has anyone addressed the quality and speed of the motor in the Porter? I'm all thumbs when it comes to these things. But I can usually do most things if I have an example to follow. Has anyone regeared one of the Porters? Or installed a different motor that gives more accurate speed control? Or am I wanting too much from the Porter? I'm thinking about getting another Shay and using the Porter as a "scene" for a junk track.
Thanks for any help. The Gauge is a great Forum!
James