fast clock

It is a clock that runs faster than real time. The concept is that if you try to follow a railway timetable on your model railway then the short distances mean the trains have very little running time and lots of inactive time. Speeding up the clock means that elapsed running time is (much) longer and inactive time is reduced. On the other hand, shunting/switching time is only a little quicker on the model compared to the prototype so a fast clock would make intensive shunting impossible. It would depend on your mix of mainline operation to shunting for your particular layout and interests whether a fast clock would be an advantage. A variable speed clock with speeds between 2 and 6 times real time would suit. Two possible ways to achieve that are:

- fit a 12 volt motor and reduction gears to a modified mechanical alarm clock. Drive it with an old trainset controller.

- write a Basic computer program to display the (fast) time on a computer screen. (that old PC at the back of the wardrobe or in the garage will be ideal)

Regards, Greg.P.

One guy in town has a set of what are basically regular, battery-driven circular clocks, but with the printed face replaced with one which shows four hours per rotation of the minute hand, rather than one. Ie: the hands move at the usual speed w.r.t real-world time, but the things they point at show fast time. Seems confusing, but you get used to it quickly enough.

-- Kizhe

It might be less confusing if you took the minute hand off - the 60 minute/second marks would then be three minute intervals with the hour hand at four hours per rotation.

2, 3, 4 and 6 times normal would all be reasonably practical with the existing marks and new numbers painted on.

Gee, don't go to the trouble of posting a hyperlink or anything helpful like that...

Not to mention that downloading a .zip format file from an unknown source is just about the most clueless thing an Internet newbie could do:

file name: Fast clock.zip Freeware fast clock program for MS Windows machines. Lots of speed ratios, from

1:1 to 60:1. 1439 KB jfugatesr 09/25/2002

If you are running some MS product ... sure!

from 1:1 to 60:1.

Thanks for earning your handle.

It's not an unknown source. The files are accessible by members only. It was uploaded by a member two years ago and is safe.

And yes, it's POSSIBLE that someone could join and substitute a bad file, but it's also POSSIBLE that Omasa Bin laden is hiding in my closet.

BOO!!!! IT'S THE BOOGIEMAN!!!

Mike Tennent "IronPenguin"

from 1:1 to 60:1.

I'm grateful for the link, Laughable, but I think you can work on your attitude abit. Thanks also to BillyDee53 for the lead on this.

Regards, Ron

from 1:1 to 60:1.

If you're forced to run MS produts, THAT'S among the least of your worries! :-)

Dan Mitchell ============

GEEeezzz, no wonder thay can't track him down in Afganistan/Pakistan.

*8-}

There is also a free download for a fast clock from Joe Fugate of Siskiyou Line layout fame at:

Scroll down to the bottom of the page . . . Paul - "The CB&Q Guy" Modeling 1969 In HO.

From the pics on the website, this looks like the same one that BillyDee53 mentioned. I also found another fast clock by Peter White, Shenandoah Software, on the Yahoo site. Of the two, I think I like Peter's better because it has a 'cleaner' look to it. But that's gonna be a personal choice I guess.

Anyway, now that I'm signed up to the Group, I off to do some exploring.

Regards, Ron