Monday, 22 November 2010
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Trains O Scale - Confusion!
Model trains have many different sizes, these are called scales which means how big the train is in comparison to the real thing and gauge which is a measure of the distance between each rail of the track.In the US a trains o scale is 1/48th the size of the real life train it is designed on. In Europe the scale is 1/45th the size and in the UK it is 1/43.5th the size of the original.
O Scale are the second biggest train size and one of largest that are built and run indoors. O Scale Trains are great because they are big enough to have qualities that smaller trains may lack. For a start the detail is better on O scale trains than on smaller scales due to obvious reasons. They are easier to handle and maintain as the parts are bigger and less fiddly. And they are more durable and reliable due to the fact that the moving parts dont have to be as intricate than smaller models.
Having said all of this Trains O Scale can easily be run indoors. And a layout built for a set doesn't have to be huge.
O Scale train track can be complicated because they come in two versions. One with two rails on the track and another with three rails. The one with three rails is not as common as the two rail version but has been around for a very long time.
The thing you must keep in mind is this. A locomotive either runs on a three rail track or a two rail track, they are NOT interchangable. So when buying your locomotives make sure you get one that is compatible with your track. As this is a power issue it has no effect at all on your passenger or freight cars or anything for that matter that doesn't pull anything (Rolling Stock).
Trains O Scale and model railroading in general have had a bit of a renaissance recently. Never before has there been so many people with their own sets. This means that there are plenty of new models being made all of the time and these new models are built to a very good quality. The other good thing is that there is plenty of second hand trains for sale. With sites like ebay you can pick up a steal on Locomotives, rolling stock and track.
I hope this has clarified any points people may have had and saved people time and money possibly buying the wrong things.
Too see other articles like this check out my blog at:
Article Source:
Happy Railroading
Alex
Monday, 8 November 2010
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
How to Build a Train Table with Hole in Center
This is a train table plan created for all those avid train-conductors in training! It is simple to build, takes only a few hours (plus paint drying time) and costs about $30 USD to build.
Man this is a well detailed article, plenty of diagrams and pictures to explain. Check it out: <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-a-Train-Table-with-Hole-in-Center-F/">here</a>
Monday, 1 November 2010
All aboard for museum’s new rail exhibit
All are welcome aboard to see the exhibit during the open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, celebrating the end of the $1.2 million construction phase for the museum’s expansion.
Read full article: <a href="http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20101101/News01/101109989/1130">here</a>
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Use Caution Buying DC Powered Lionel Trains 1975- 1998
I very kind ebay member has given us a heads up about a few quirks with lionel trains.
He's no expert but it could be worth looking at before buying anything.
"During the 70's, someone at Lionel had the not so bright idea to cut corners on lionel trains and make DC powered lionel trains.
Full Article Here
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Famous Train Items
Many model train collectors are looking for Famous . If you are not seeing any results on this page below, take the time to bookmark this page and visit again and try another model number search for more Famous items on sale as the data from your search on this site is updating often. Famous or Famous items are wanted by model train buyers. Enjoy the results of this search below. Sometimes Famous trains and listings may just not be found. As you may already know, sometimes collector"s items are rarely found because collectors tend to keep them.
Round the mountain
Bill Krippner doesn't even pretend it's all for the kids. The 46-year-old Hillsborough electrical engineer brashly admits that his 20-year-long tinker with model trains is not for his own children. Neither is it for the dozen children who are lining up at Centre Park in Mangere for a $2 ride on his blue Thomas the Tank Engine-inspired steam engine. "It was always for me. It was my thing. If you ask the guys here what we do, we say, 'we come here and play trains'." Read the rest here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=10682363
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Huge video resource!
Wow, just found a huge video resource for all things model trains. I know you can find stuff on youtube but these are full on documentaries on the matter!
http://www.kwg.tv/search/?q=model+trains
Check this.
If anyone has anything they would like to share with the community don't hesitate to contact me on my page.
Happy Railroading
Alex
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Building a lift out bridge! - Trains o scale update
This is a great idea for many situations. Most common of course for layouts that hug the walls of a room and you control from within.
Friday, 15 October 2010
Model Trains and The age of Electronic Technology
Electricity has always been problematic; Even though, it does many functions and serves many purposes. Not only does its molecular polarity provide energy, it also conducts Radio Frequencies. Those of you, who run Transformer controlled Locos, pride yourselves as not having “Electronic Melt-downs” – Which is a great thing. There are the occasional voltage spikes that melt wires and burn light bulbs though. Electronic cards are much more sensitive to the power source it receives, due to the fact that they function on much lower voltages (Due to heat and space requirements). Clean power is much more critical to these cards, but it’s almost impossible to attain – unless we install Sine-wave filters in our home’s power supply. Prime example is the water that comes out of our faucets. Radio frequencies abound our homes and we pay little attention to them (Telephones, Microwaves, Televisions, Ect.). They also have an impact on the train’s operation. Realism does come at a price. Reliability is much more expensive to achieve. The train manufacturers can not afford to implement these technologies, if we are not willing to share the burden of cost. Most of you guys are into the “Old Technology”, not because of its simplicity – but because of COST (3 T/C Locos for the price of 1 Legacy Loco). Model Railroading to me, is creating “Realism”. We use our imagination to “Live” the fantasy. The Sounds; the autonomy of being able to run several trains at the same time on the same track, is a part of what makes the experience real. To me, pre-electronics is like being “Deaf-Mute” *. There is no communication in that experience. Courtesy of Juan @
A Train Set That's Been 50 Years in the Making
<img src="http://i.acdn.us/image/A1323/1323142/300_1323142.jpg">
Sirois served as Old Town's fire chief for many years, and after a hard day's work, he would often spend evenings working on his train set unwinding. But his hobby truly blossomed in full after he retired in 2001: He added to his layout in a basement room at his home, built scale model structures for it, painstakingly repainted and resculpted the landscape, changed the layout to make full use of the space he had. He lowered the ceiling and installed new lighting for the room. There's an elaborate wiring scheme, lights blinking and flashing everywhere, an array of switches and transformers to control movements on the tracks.
Read the full article here:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/5887520/a_train_set_thats_been_50_years_in.html?cat=7
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Nooooooooooooo!!!! Last stop for model train shop
The Channel Islands' only model train shop will be closing its doors for the last time in December.
Model World in Guernsey has been selling model railways, die-cast vehicles and Airfix models for the last 18 years.
Franciscan friar's hobby makes for festive Halloween scene
"I grew up watching all these 1940s horror movies -- Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi -- I grew up with them. That is all part of Halloween to me,"
Seipp enjoys the reaction from children to his train garden, but he especially savors the look on the faces of the adults.
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Model train expo joyful for kids - and adults
DURHAM — Model train enthusiasts of all ages gathered at the Durham Fair Grounds this weekend as the third annual New Haven Society of Model Engineers train show pulled out the station......
“It’s fun and people do appreciate what we do. We love to talk to people and get them interested in the hobby,”
Full Article:
http://middletownpress.com/articles/2010/10/04/news/doc4ca94e683b60f681067387
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
LGB Model Trains, Precision Made In Germany.
LGB model trains are made in Germany and are extreemly reliable, beutifully made and readily available via a host of selected distributors wordwide. In Germany LGB models and components are sold through Marklin the biggest distributors of model trains, probably in Europe................ Check out the full article here:German quality translates well onto the track for LGB model trains.
Monday, 4 October 2010
Search Out Premium Electric O scale model train sets
Art and Craft Tips - http://artandcraft-tips.com/
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Prism Enterprises to Develop New Website for Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum
August 16, 2010 by Rick Brock TCMRM Current Design The Twin City Model Railroad Museum board of directors has approved a proposal submitted by Prism Enterprises to develop (re-design from scratch) and manage a new website for the museum. The current static design has served the museum well over the years, but hasn’t kept up with available website technology and capabilities. The new website, expected to launch in September 2010, will have a completely new and dynamic look. TCMRM New Design While the re-designed website will be fully search engine optimized (SEO), have more content, including separate public and member administrative sections, it will be easier to navigate. The new home page design will feature dynamic content that emphasizes current events, what’s new at the museum and provide easy access to the integragted blog. The new design will also be smart-phone friendly. At the time of this writing, the custom graphics and color scheme has not yet been finalized, but the image at right shows the new look up to this point. I’ll make an announcement (are you a subscriber?) when the new website launches.Courtesy of:
Filed under News, zFeatured
A New Dynamic Look
Trains O Scale – Why is Model Railroading So Popular?
Collecting and running model trains is an enjoyable and rewarding past time. But mention it to people who don’t get it? And just wait for that look. Confusion (and pity?) about how an adult can be playing with trains. It’s possibly in the same vein as women who do patch-working. You either get it, or you don’t.
Regardless of your preference of scale, model railroading is a passion – whether it be trains O Scale, O Gauge trains, G Scale train, HO model train, OO model trains, or any of other vast numbers of scales and gauges.
So Why Collect Trains?
Model Trains is the third most popular international hobby or past time – after coin collecting and stamp collecting.
The passion for model trains has many aspects:
- fond childhood memories, happy times spent with your Dad or Grandpa.
- spending quality time with your own children.
- tapping into your creative side – designing a layout and making scenery.
- an investment in a “collectible” hobby – rare and old locomotives.
Creativity
Building your own miniature world is fascinating. You plan the railway layout. You build a town. You find people to live there. You give those people a purpose about their daily business.
You can set your world in any time-frame. It can be based around modern streamlined electric trains, or diesel trains, or historical steam trains.
Relaxation
Model railroading is a wonderful escape from the stresses of modern life. A great way to relax and unwind after a hard day at work. I’ve seen people convert an entire basement into a model railroading escape. To see them light up when they step into their railway world is amazing.
Usable spaces for your model railroad are:
- the basement (step down into a whole new dimension),
- an outdoor shed specifically for your trains,
- the garage, or maybe just a part of it,
- the attic (make a section that is just for you and your trains),
- a spare room (when the kids move out)
- a suspended rail just below the ceiling, up and out of the way,
- along the home bar – to deliver drinks to your guests,
- and anywhere else you can think of.
Where To Escape To?
As mentioned earlier, your model railroad layout is your escape from reality. You can make it whatever you want. If you have a hectic inner city life, you might want to design your layout in the form of an English countryside. If you live in the country, a dramatic city layout might appeal to you.
If you are designing a layout of a lifestyle that you have not personally experienced, there are many great sources for inspiration. The internet, of course, is a wealth of information. Travel brochures can provide pictures and ideas. Bookstores are also great sources. Take a trip to the countryside or to the city to get the feel of what you want to achieve and take photos to use in your planning.
Your layout can either be a replica of something real, or something that is entirely imaginary, or a combination of the two. I prefer the imaginary style because then you have more leeway and creative licence to add or subtract as you wish. I have also seen some excellent replica railways where everything is exact, down to the tiniest detail.
Railroading Skills
Once you begin model railroading, you start to get hands-on experience with manual tasks you may not have had much experience with before. You become something of a Jack Of All Trades. You will become project manager, tradesman, and customer – all in one. Suddenly you will be learning more and more about woodwork, metalwork, wiring, electronics, planning, modeling and building.
These are all things you learn as you go. You don’t need to know everything before you start. Each time you come across something that is new to you, do some research. Forums are great for asking questions and advice. Hobby shops are often staffed by model train enthusiasts who can’t wait to share their knowledge and help others out.
The beauty of model railroading is that all of these tasks are done at your own pace. You are the boss. Let it take a six months, a year, five years! A major part of the joy is the creative process.
In Good Company
Famous model railroaders include: Rod Stewart, Burt Reynolds, Yul Brynner, Gary Coleman, Johnny Cash, Phil Collins, Richard Crenna, Sally Jesse Raphael, Joe DiMaggio, Tom Hanks, Elton John, Lionel Ritchie, Frank Sinatra, and don’t forget Gomez Addams. See more on Celebrity Model Railroaders.
Regardless of age or gender, collecting model trains and model railroading has appeal for everyone. It is a timeless hobby – one that appeals to old and young alike.
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Thursday, 30 September 2010
NEW! - Scenecraft O Scale Buildings by Bachmann
O Scale modellers can now purchase Scenecraft resin buildings from our new O scale collection. We are launching the range with three fantastic buildings. The sectional lineside hut, the riveted water tank (with chain detail) and the GWR signal box (based on Highley SVR).
Check them out at http://www.bachmann.co.uk/
Model Train Journal to be sold!
APRIL 15, 2010 - PUBLIC NOTICE FROM TOM NIXON, THE PUBLISHER OF 48/FT, O SCALE NEWS MAGAZINE AND THE PRESIDENT OF GATE VI PUBLISHING COMPANY
To read full article go to the Model Train Journal website.
Stock up on new Bachmann quad hoppers and three-dome tank cars
O — Bachmann has released new hopper cars and three-dome tank cars. The new roadnames for the quad hoppers are Union Pacific (#47619), CP Rail (#47620), and CSX (#47621). The three-dome tank cars are now available in Alaska (#47112) and Philadelphia Quartz Company (#47113) roadnames.
According to the company the cars navigate O-27 curves, have a car length 10-inches, and a height 3.5-inches. The models feature durable ABS plastic shell diecast trucks, metal wheels, operating couplers, and prototypical graphics. The quad hoppers also feature: metal floor and brake wheel include interchangeable coal load and lid roofs. They retail for $39.95 each.
Bachmann Industries, 1400 E Erie Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19124-5698; 215-533-1600; Fax: 215-744-4699; www.bachmanntrains.com
For full article visit:
http://www.modelrailroadnews.com/single-article-page/stock-up-on-new-bachmann...