BookmarkAll About Electric Train Sets
Electric trains are a magical to watch. A largely self-sufficient locomotive using power from the rails to move and pulling along a consist of cars is endlessly fascinating.
It is for this reason that electric trains have found a hallowed place in the culture of America. If there is any day of the year people think of model trains, it is Christmas morning. It is on that day many youngsters are first introduced to the hobby.
Electricity for all gauges
Today, there are many variations of electric trains to choose from. The scales range from the largest, G Scale (1/22nd of regular size) to mid-range O scale (1/48th regular size), S scale (1/64th regular size) and HO scale (1/87th regular size) to the diminutive N Scale (1/160th regular size) and smaller-still Z scale (1/220th regular size). All models in these scales run on a current that takes its power from a wall outlet.
The first electric trains began to appear when homes were becoming wired for electricity. These trains are controlled by a transformer that is plugged into a wall outlet. Electric current comes through the outlet and into the transformer (also known as a power pack), where it gets transformed into a proper voltage that is usable by the engine, and dispersed over the tracks. It has a knob to control train speed and direction.
Some O-scale and O27-scale tracks use a third rail to carry the current. Most other scales use only two rails and split the current into positive and negative charges. The positive charge flows through one rail, and the negative charge flows through the other. A short will occur if the tracks turn back on themselves and are not insulated with plastic rail joiners at the re-contact point.
Block power
Electrical power also decreases in strength the farther it is away from the source. At the farthest point from the power pack, train may slow down. On small layouts, this may not even be noticeable, but on bigger, complex layouts, trains can stall.
To correct this problem, layouts may by wired in blocks. This lets all the electricity from the power pack go to only selected blocks of the layout. Train performance is enhanced on a large model railroad layout when it is properly wired and blocked.
More realism
Electric trains provide a high amount of realism, because the most authentic looking models use electric motors. There are also many accessories that run on electricity, too. Controlling electric trains is easy, and today, there are many more ways to control trains than in the past. Modern electric train sets can be controlled wirelessly to throw switches, increase or decrease train speed, and control electric accessories.
With all the fun that can be had with electric trains, it is no wonder why Americans continually get a charge out of this hobby.
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