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| R1/9 acceleration (Re: What is the mechanical condition of the Low V?) (663185) | |||
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R1/9 acceleration (Re: What is the mechanical condition of the Low V?) |
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Posted by SelkirkTMO on Fri Aug 8 02:00:57 2008, in response to Re: What is the mechanical condition of the Low V?, posted by Broadway Buffer on Fri Aug 8 01:23:36 2008. No, as a qualified arnine motorman, there IS a significant difference in the acceleration rates of the prewar and postwar cars, and that's universal across all of the older equipment with the possible exception of the Bluebirds and maybe the Multis. I'm not a "gearhead" like some of the experts who frequent this joint, but as a motorman, I knew what my equipment and the railroad was like.It's the NUMBERS I'm not certain of, but hope I'm right. The prewar cars had an acceleration curve of 1.75 Miles per second per second whereas the postwar cars were something on the order of 3.5 (maybe it was 2.5 but whatever, SMEEs and later had a LOT more "pep") ... it's only the actual numbers I'm unsure of, operating them is definite. :) The original IND was designed so that (with R1/9's) you wrapped the controller around and KEPT it there! And I mean from the second you took off from any IND station until you entered the next. Operating them (aside from timers) was WRAP it, hit balancing speed, and then COAST like there's no tomorrow until the speed fell off on an express run and you needed to give it another third notch post to regain. IND was built for speed, but the arnines themselves were also designed for another aspect of how the IND was designed - if there was going to be a curve or jog, it was usually right at the end of the platform. So even between 14 on the A and W4 and other locations, you WRAPPED it taking off into a hard curve. Railroad was BUILT for that. Second notch was for interlockings except for terminals. And the original prewar acceleration curve let you do that without worrying about "whipping" your tail cars. :) With the lower acceleration rate though, an arnine did not stand a chance for a "sprint" ... they won on ENDURANCE because once they DID get up to balancing speed, they could beat any SMEE by the difference between a walk and a brisk stroll ... they topped out about 2-4 MPH faster than any SMEE. So on an express run, you'd pass the local even before it was applying brake. But arnines would NEVER win a "sprint" against anything newer. Took a while to get up to speed. And this comparison is based on the OLDER SMEE's before GOH and neutering. Nowadays it's not a fair drop at all. Heh. A SMEE will *still* beat any arnine at takeoff, but since the museum arnines still have their balls uncut, it must be impressive how much faster they can run than the current fleet as it exists. Bottom line, arnines are slower if you're compating at takeoff acceleration ... but once they stretch their legs, no contest ... not even "back in the day." =) |
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