Speed matching involves programming your locomotives so they can run together smoothly. But before you adjust your DCC decoders’ speed steps, you need to be able to accurately measure the locomotives’ speed.
That’s where Bachrus’ new speedometer comes in. The locomotive’s wheels rest on a set of ball-bearing-equipped running stands. One set of rollers, called the reader, is connected by a wire to a portable console that reads out the locomotive’s scale speed and other information. The stands, sold separately, pass track current and DCC signals through to the wheels. Other than your layout or test track’s power supply and AA batteries for the console, no additional power supply or wiring is required. Bachrus also sells non-rolling stands to support tenders or dummy trucks during testing.
I tested the speedometer using an MRC Prodigy Advance DCC system and a DCC-equipped diesel. Using the Bachrus speedometer, a Märklin run-by infrared speedometer, and a stopwatch, I recorded the engine’s velocity at speed steps 7, 14, 21, and 28. The speeds measured by the Bachrus speedometer were comparable to those from the other two methods.
Measuring locomotive speed on a running stand has advantages, including the ability to adjust decoder Configuration Variables and test the results without having to move the locomotive. However, you have to be careful to seat the wheels properly; if a flange rests on the reader instead of the tread, you’ll get an inaccurate reading.
We tested the Model 50 speedometer, which works in HO and S scale. The manufacturer expects to release N/Z and O/G scale speedometers soon.
Bachrus’ Model Train Speedometer is an easy-to-use tool for those who wish to fine-tune their locomotive fleets.
Price: HO and S scale: speedometer (console and reader), $161; running stands, set of 3, $50; tender stand, $26; third-rail adapter, $5. Other scales to be announced
Manufacturer
Bachrus Inc.
1289 Hillview Crescent
Oakville, ON L6H 2C6
Canada
www.bachrus.com
Features
Adjustable gauge
Ball-bearing wheel rollers
Battery operated
Console usable with plug-in readers for other scales, to be sold separately
Speed readings in scale mph and kph
Odometer, tachometer, and stopwatch functions
