Why 8 notches? – Train Sim Forum

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MJLriakMember since Dec-10-02 · 4 postsDec 13, 2002 7:56 PM

this may hav ebeen asked before,
Where does the 8-notch (throttle settings) system origionate from ... why not 10?
just seems a little oddMatt Why 8 notches? – image 2

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RE: Why 8 notches?, chazlee1, Dec-13-02, 05:42 PM, (1) RE: Why 8 notches?, MJLriak, Dec-13-02, 06:21 PM, (2) RE: Why 8 notches?, highball5, Dec-13-02, 07:22 PM, (3) RE: Why 8 notches?, darkfyre, Dec-14-02, 00:52 AM, (4) RE: Why 8 notches?, whockin, Dec-14-02, 01:23 AM, (5) RE: Why 8 notches?, MJLriak, Dec-14-02, 02:45 PM, (6) RE: Why 8 notches?, rob20, Dec-17-02, 01:42 PM, (7) RE: Why 8 notches?, sooner, Dec-18-02, 10:08 AM, (8) RE: Why 8 notches?, CPR_Malice_96th, Dec-18-02, 11:24 AM, (9) RE: Why 8 notches?, Paul1953, Dec-19-02, 03:12 PM, (10) RE: Why 8 notches?, Magick_maker, Dec-19-02, 03:40 PM, (11)

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chazlee1Member since Dec-11-02 · 4 postsDec 13, 2002 10:42 PM

RE: Why 8 notches?

This basically started with EMD...ever since the first diesel rolled off the assembly line, it came with 8 notches. Power-wise, 8 notches gave the engineer more than enough power range so that he could gradually increase power as train gained speed.Chaz:D

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MJLriakMember since Dec-10-02 · 4 postsDec 13, 2002 11:21 PM

RE: Why 8 notches?

oh, so thats it... I was just wondering if there was a more grandiouse history behind it...sorta like how you hear that the space shuttles boosters are sized off of the width of 2 horses rears...
thanks
Matt Why 8 notches? – image 3

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highball5Charter Member · 326 postsDec 14, 2002 12:22 AM

RE: Why 8 notches?

>> shuttles boosters are sized off of the width of 2 horses rears..While horses rears are in fact synonomous with certain facets of railroad operation,
they are usually limited to the managment positions. And the rumors that 8 notches
were used because it was hard to find an engineer that could count beyond that is
totally bogus.

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darkfyreCharter Member · 1111 postsDec 14, 2002 5:52 AM

RE: Why 8 notches?

LAST EDITED ON Dec-14-02 AT 00:57 AM (EST)

Hmm..The way I look at it, 10 notches would just be too annoying, trying to get up to power.4 would probably damage the freight.8 seems just about right, somewhere in the center..(Whoohoo, im a member of the 1100 club )
Why 8 notches? – image 5

...Runnin' on Soda... Why 8 notches? – image 6 Why 8 notches? – image 7 Why 8 notches? – image 8 Why 8 notches? – image 9

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whockinCharter Member · 60 postsDec 14, 2002 6:23 AM

RE: Why 8 notches?

It has to do with the governors that were used for the first generation diesels. The governor had 3 electric solenoids that were energized by the various throttle positions. Each were turned on in sequences that are equivalent to todays binary code ranging from 000 to 111 giving 8 settings. The solenoids lifted a triangular plate that had a link in the center that lifted the governor. These were mechanically adjustable to give the proper rpm for each setting.

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MJLriakMember since Dec-10-02 · 4 postsDec 14, 2002 7:45 PM

RE: Why 8 notches?

OK that makes sense... thanks for the info...
that would also correspond to what I've read about 'electrronics changing' with throttle settings..(or something like that...) Why 8 notches? – image 10

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rob20Charter Member · 165 postsDec 17, 2002 6:42 PM

RE: Why 8 notches?

Actually their are 10 postions! The other 2 are idle and pulling the throttle back towards you kills all the engines in the consist if they are configured correctly.rob20

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soonerMember since Jul-2-02 · 405 postsDec 18, 2002 3:08 PM

RE: Why 8 notches?

LAST EDITED ON Dec-18-02 AT 10:08 AM (EST)

They should have been built to "go to eleven;" more power output that way, at least on the "This is Spinal Tap" railroad. Reiner's comedy has just been selected for the Library of Congress's National Film Registry. Best scene: the band orders a giant Stonehenge replica as a set for their stage show. But signals are crossed and when the monument replica stones arrive (just before showtime) they're only a couple of feet high. (Note to really young shavers: this is not a train movie.)

bud

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CPR_Malice_96thCharter Member · 1998 postsDec 18, 2002 4:24 PM

RE: Why 8 notches?

That is definitley one of the funniest parts of that movie !!LaterPS: For the record.......Nope...not a train in thereTim Kent
Why 8 notches? – image 12
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