In order to build a timetable, you’ll also need to decide on
a fast clock ratio. Of course if your layout is large, with long
distances between towns, the fast clock ratio can be fairly
low, such as 2:1 (meaning that 10 minutes by the fast clock is
equivalent to 5 actual minutes). Over the years, it seems that
operators are moving to lower and lower fast clock ratios. One
argument in favor of this trend is that some tasks can’t be com-
pressed, such as the time needed for switching and issuing
train orders.
However, one of my goals in developing the timetable for my
layout was to also produce a timetable which provided travel
times between stations reasonably close to the prototype
timetable. For example, the prototype YV log train departed
Merced Falls at 8 a.m. and arrived in Incline 3 hours 10 minutes
later. On my layout the same train takes about 22 minutes for
the same run. But if I use a 10:1 fast clock, that 22 minute run
will take 3 hours 40 minutes, very close to the prototype time-
table run time.
Now, a 10:1 fast clock is a very fast ratio! That means that one
minute on the fast clock takes only 6 seconds. If you need to
leave a yard at 9:55 a.m., you only have a “6-second window”
to leave on time. This can be stressful for some operators.
However, while I built my timetable using a 10:1 scale time
ratio, I actually operate it with an 8:1 fast clock.
While that might not seem like much, it does give a little more
time for things. More importantly, when I timed how long it
took to run between yards, I ran trains at only 18 scale miles
per hour. In addition, I was very conservative when timing
switching moves. Together, these factors allow operators more
time to run between times and complete needed switching.
In addition, all the major switching needed to build the two
locals prior to departure is done long before their departure
times. For example, the operator for the Merced Local typically
needs to pull their caboose from the caboose track and then
