Operations via Fast Clock

[RobertInOntario]

I've recent started running trains to a mock working timetable (WTT) using an iPhone app called Fast Clock. I seem to be making progress in terms of figuring this out, partly by making up my own mock WTTs. Has anyone else used this app and have any suggestions for operating to a WTT on a small HO (or British 00, in my case) layout?

Thanks, Rob

[Kev1340]

I've never been a fan of the 'fast clock' myself.

I understand how it can 'compress' a sequence of trains on a timetable, but when carrying out shunting for example, at scale speeds, it takes pretty much as long as in the 'real world'. A 'fast clock' makes it impossible for the switching crew to keep up.

For that reason I prefer to run to a sequence, allowing (just) enough time for switching etc, between trains.

Be interested to hear your experiences though. What region/era are you modelling?

Cheers,

Kev

[RobertInOntario]

I've never been a fan of the 'fast clock' myself.

I understand how it can 'compress' a sequence of trains on a timetable, but when carrying out shunting for example, at scale speeds, it takes pretty much as long as in the 'real world'. A 'fast clock' makes it impossible for the switching crew to keep up.

For that reason I prefer to run to a sequence, allowing (just) enough time for switching etc, between trains.

Be interested to hear your experiences though. What region/era are you modelling?

Cheers,

Kev

Hi Kev,

I was basically experimenting with it the other night. My main region/era is southwest England in the late-1950s, although I have enough rolling stock to model other parts of Britain anywhere from the early-1900s through to the 1960s, as well as some North American stock! In any case, the layout is based on a railway line in SW England in 1959. I wouldn't use this Fast Clock for shunting though because, as you say, it takes basically the same amount of time as real time. However, I think it's kind of cool to copy or duplicate a (say) 2- to 5-hour WTT in less than half an hour, and gives you an idea of what it's like to meet an actual schedule.

[Kev1340]

Hi Rob,

I agree to run a 'mainline' timetable compressed that way would be interesting.

My experiences were at a local club, many years ago, also '00' Southern Region British Rail. The guys operating the yard shunted were pulling their hair out trying to clear the mainline before the next train arrived! As an observer it was quite amusing, not so much if you were the shutter!

Are you modelling a specific prototype line? I modelled the Great Western Railway and Western Region British Rail for many years in both 00 and N.

Cheers,

Kev

[RobertInOntario]

Kev,

I'm mainly modelling the Somerset & Dorset Line in approx. 1959 -- so I have locos such as a 4MT mogul, a 4MT tank, Evening Star, Collette 0-6-0, Black Five, etc. However, when I need a break from that I can run my LNER or LMS stock, or 1920s Somerset & Dorset or even LBSC (even though the latter few don't accurately fit the looks & time period of the layout).

[BR60103]

Rob: At Lostock, we run a timetable but we really ignore the times. We find that just getting the trains to arrive in about the correct sequence is challenge enough. We usually manage to compress a day into a 3 1/2 hour session. The goods yard operator can usually make up one train in the morning and another in the afternoon.

The timetable is only run for the terminal station. The rest of the gang is busy just trying to keep the trains separated and not colliding at the junction, while we ask them for a particular train every so often.

To ease the operations, each train plays many parts. We have 7 designated trains --- main line expresses and locals. A train may be the express from London the first time, but leave for Liverpool and come back as one from Carlisle. Our job is to provide an appropriate loco for the front of the train to take it out.

Mike keeps threatening to institute a proper fast clock. They really need to be restricted to cases where stations are notionally 50 miles apart but really not much more than a train length.

[Lester Perry]

I have never run on a fast clock. I have researched it a little and apparently the 1:1 guys had trouble with it also. To the tune of a scheduled train could leave up to 12 hours late and still carry priority over others which might be on time.

[RobertInOntario]

Rob: At Lostock, we run a timetable but we really ignore the times. We find that just getting the trains to arrive in about the correct sequence is challenge enough. We usually manage to compress a day into a 3 1/2 hour session. The goods yard operator can usually make up one train in the morning and another in the afternoon.

The timetable is only run for the terminal station. The rest of the gang is busy just trying to keep the trains separated and not colliding at the junction, while we ask them for a particular train every so often.

To ease the operations, each train plays many parts. We have 7 designated trains --- main line expresses and locals. A train may be the express from London the first time, but leave for Liverpool and come back as one from Carlisle. Our job is to provide an appropriate loco for the front of the train to take it out.

Mike keeps threatening to institute a proper fast clock. They really need to be restricted to cases where stations are notionally 50 miles apart but really not much more than a train length.

David, that sounds like fun! I could see how you might forego the actual timetable & just have the trains arrive in order.