Analog fast clock

I've never tried it, but an old hand told me that he just cut away some of the balance wheel - the thing that rocks back and forth to maintain time.  By lessening its mass it runs faster, but it would be difficult (nearly impossible) to get two running at the same speed.

The prototype used clocks that were driven by an electric pulse generated by a master clock.  This insured that all clocks on the railroad marched along in unison.  If you can find some of those old clocks you can run them at whatever speed you like.

For Sale

Anyone want to buy my old watch - - it always runs fast. . . .LOL!

GML Enterprises

GML Enterprises has analog fast clocks http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/id19.html, including a variety of face styles http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/id20.html.

Fast clock ratios...

Yup, using the minute hand as an hour hand works to make a 12x fast clock.

It also makes it difficult to tell whether it's 2:13 or 2:20. There's just not enough resolution. Think what it's like trying to tell time with a clock that missing it's minute hand.

I also think a 12x ratio feels really, really fast. 2x to 4x feels more reasonable to me.

I'm using the GML fast clock system (URL in the previous post by Rob Spangler).

MRH's own Mike Dodd also sells an analog fast clock system http://electronics.mdodd.com/fastclock.html.

But if your time-telling needs don't require precision and you can live with the fast ratio, then amputating the hour and second hands will work, won't cost much and don't need a controller (other than for starting a session with all the clocks showing the same time).

Cheers,

Charlie

Digital Analog Fast Clock...

Do you really need a mechanical clock, or would a fast clock program that displays an analog face do?

It might be price competitive to pick up some used (800x600 would work) flat screens and a VGA splitter and cable than multiple synchonized mechanical clocks.

You can get a 4-way splitter with amplifier for $28 ( http://www.amazon.com/4-Way-SVGA-Splitter-Amplifier-Multiplier/dp/B001V54SY2/ref=pd_cp_pc_1) or a 2-way for a little cheaper.

Depending on how far you need to run cable, you might even get away with a really inexpensive splitter cable: http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-VGASPL1VV-1-Feet-Video-Splitter/dp/B003AVPV1O/ref=pd_cp_e_2

Another advantage of this solution would be that you you could also use the screens for other things, like putting up a crew call or listing out upcoming trains...

Analog Fast Clocks will be used...

..... on the P&A because it reinforces the time period is the 1950's when there were no digital clocks.  Still, I wish there was a way to take these analog fast clocks and make them into analog fast watches!

Ken L

Kit for fast clock available

Mike Dodd had an article in the August 1997 Model Railroader about building a fast clock controller for quartz clock movements. His kit is still available at http://electronics.mdodd.com/fastclock.html.

I built one of these soon after that article came out and modified four large commercial type clocks to use with it (I worked for a clock maker at the time). These are still used for our monthly operating session 15 years later!.

Tim R

iPad fast clock