Inside Your First Model Train Set
In this article we will try to uncover what's inside your Model train set.
The basic components and all.
Locomotive The core of every train set is the Locomotive.
The essential features to search for in a model locomotive are as follows All diesel locomotive must have at least eight wheels that drives it and have wheels that receive electric currents.
On the other hand, steam locomotives merely rely on the drivers and the tender wheels to receive the electrical currents.
Flywheels aid locomotives operate track effortlessly and manage dirty track very well, so they are a good investment to the drive mechanism of a diesel locomotive.
Traction tires are a no-no.
These tiny rubber rings wrapped around several locomotive drivers and wheels to overcome lousy adhesion are doing more harm than good.
While they try to address the adhesion problem, they, at the same time make your locomotive wobbly and interfere with the current passing between the tracks and the locomotive.
Always opt for diesel locomotives.
They may be a lot pricey than their steam counterparts, but they always run better than steam locomotives.
Cars Certainly, the cars that comes along with your train set will not be as intricately detailed as the ones you see in Model Railroader, as such detailing would also result into a considerably higher price.
But this will not stop you to add these kinds of cars in the future.
Hobby shops specializing in model trains have easy-to-build kits and ready-to-run cars from manufacturers like, Accurail, Athearn, Atlas, Life-Like, Micro-Trains,Model Die Casting etc.
You also might want to trade your outdated "horn-hook" couplers for a better functioning and more practical knuckle couplers.
A lot of cheap replacements are available in hobby shops, they can even show you how easy it is to install them.
Track Most HO and N scale sets manufactured today have built-in, cast-plastic roadbed.
And it is not that hard to put together.
A roadbed keeps the track sections in place so you have to go away with using corks under the track to secure it.
Popular brands include Atlas True-Track, Bachmann E-Z Track, Kato Unitrack and Life-Like Power-Loc.
Power Pack The power pack which is also known as the "transformer" or "throttle".
It converts the 110-volt alternating current from your wall socket to 12-15 volt direct current for the track and up to 18 volts alternating current for the accessories.
Although not hazardous, it's best to attach wires to the terminals when the power pack is not plugged to the wall.
Most power packs can only run one locomotive and one or at most two accessories.
So if you prefer lots of accessories, you should have a much larger power pack.
The one that can generate currents up to 18 VA and above.
You can then use the train set's power pack to operate the accessories.
It is important that your train set is UL listed, and then follow the instructions on how to connect the track feeder wires to the terminals.
The basic components and all.
Locomotive The core of every train set is the Locomotive.
The essential features to search for in a model locomotive are as follows All diesel locomotive must have at least eight wheels that drives it and have wheels that receive electric currents.
On the other hand, steam locomotives merely rely on the drivers and the tender wheels to receive the electrical currents.
Flywheels aid locomotives operate track effortlessly and manage dirty track very well, so they are a good investment to the drive mechanism of a diesel locomotive.
Traction tires are a no-no.
These tiny rubber rings wrapped around several locomotive drivers and wheels to overcome lousy adhesion are doing more harm than good.
While they try to address the adhesion problem, they, at the same time make your locomotive wobbly and interfere with the current passing between the tracks and the locomotive.
Always opt for diesel locomotives.
They may be a lot pricey than their steam counterparts, but they always run better than steam locomotives.
Cars Certainly, the cars that comes along with your train set will not be as intricately detailed as the ones you see in Model Railroader, as such detailing would also result into a considerably higher price.
But this will not stop you to add these kinds of cars in the future.
Hobby shops specializing in model trains have easy-to-build kits and ready-to-run cars from manufacturers like, Accurail, Athearn, Atlas, Life-Like, Micro-Trains,Model Die Casting etc.
You also might want to trade your outdated "horn-hook" couplers for a better functioning and more practical knuckle couplers.
A lot of cheap replacements are available in hobby shops, they can even show you how easy it is to install them.
Track Most HO and N scale sets manufactured today have built-in, cast-plastic roadbed.
And it is not that hard to put together.
A roadbed keeps the track sections in place so you have to go away with using corks under the track to secure it.
Popular brands include Atlas True-Track, Bachmann E-Z Track, Kato Unitrack and Life-Like Power-Loc.
Power Pack The power pack which is also known as the "transformer" or "throttle".
It converts the 110-volt alternating current from your wall socket to 12-15 volt direct current for the track and up to 18 volts alternating current for the accessories.
Although not hazardous, it's best to attach wires to the terminals when the power pack is not plugged to the wall.
Most power packs can only run one locomotive and one or at most two accessories.
So if you prefer lots of accessories, you should have a much larger power pack.
The one that can generate currents up to 18 VA and above.
You can then use the train set's power pack to operate the accessories.
It is important that your train set is UL listed, and then follow the instructions on how to connect the track feeder wires to the terminals.
Source...