David Blackburn questioned:
There are many different fascinating facts about toy model trains. The more you get into the leisure activity of model railroading, the more you will find out. Those just getting started will be interested by some of the things experienced railroaders have come to know over the years. Below you will find a list of ten fascinating facts about model trains.
(1) The Truth About G Scale. Many people have come to accept G scale coming from the word garden. G scale really comes from the term Gros which is a German word for huge or large. The reason why so many people call them garden trains is because they are used as outside trains. Layouts include plants and grass from the gardens people have in their homes.
(2) History of Model Trains. Toy model trains started out as novelty toys for children. These toys followed shortly after trains were used as modes of transportation and delivery. These toys did not have very much detail. As time went on, adults became interested in the model trains and an entire industry was born.
(3) High Society Model Trains. In the Victorian era, there were many different social clubs, which met to talk about model trains. It was considered highly exclusive to have your own model train set with an elaborate layout. The prices of the trains place them out of the hands of common people making it trendy to own them.
(4) World War One. Before World War 1, the majority of toy model trains were made in Germany. This became a problem in a time when Germany became the enemy of the world and all production was halted. This allowed many companies like Lionel to become the powerhouses in model trains they are today.
(5) Track Materials. The material used to make the tracks have changed over the years. One of the most well loved materials has been brass. This has given way to aluminum and stainless steel as options many people prefer. One of the most well loved materials to use is a nickel alloy blend, which costs less while still being light and conductive.
(6) Weathering For Detail. A very huge design feature many train modelers include in their layouts is weathering. This will give the train and the layout the appearance of realism most people are looking for. By adding stains, or wear, the entire design will appear as if it has been affected by the conditions.
(7) Why N Scale is Cheaper. The N scale is one of the most well loved scales of toy model trains. The popularity along with the size makes it very simple to mark down. Using less materials and being simpler to add details also play vital roles in allowing manufacturers to reduce the cost of the finished product.
(8) The Future of Model Trains. Model trains have undergone many changes over the years from being able to only run one train to running several. It used to take a highly skilled conductor to manage multiple trains. Now with computers, it is simple to manage several trains on the same track at once.
(9) Trains You Can Ride on. The 1:8 ratio model train is not something everyone has space for. It has become well loved for those who have the money in order to have fun with their children, or simply to have a model that is simpler to work on. Being able to operate the model with coal or propane allows you to have the live steam most modelers prefer.
(10) Train Clubs. No matter what scale train you own, there is probably a club you can join of others who prefer the same scale. These clubs are recommended for anyone regardless of skill level. They are fantastic places to show off and get new thoughts from.
There is much more information available about toy model trains. You are sure to learn something you will want to pass along, as you get more familiar with the leisure activity itself.
David Blackburn questioned:
One of the most well-known names in model train history are the Bachmann model trains. The history of the company which made Bachmann a household name goes back way before they started making model trains. The company goes as far back as 1833, though they did not start making model trains until 1966 when the N scale model train started to gain popularity in the United States. Having a history of making plastic products, the company was perfectly suited to make trains and accessories, which were sold in a plastic shell that was their trademark. Plasticville USA was the first model train product, which place the company into the minds of model railroaders.
Plasticville USA was something, which was sold previous to the first Bachmann model train. These were plastic buildings and other accessories, which would fit in with the trains being sold by other companies. While they were not producing any model trains themselves, it did not prevent them from being known in every home as having fine model train products. These products are still sold in conjunction with model train sets by Lionel to this day. While some may argue the pieces are nothing but mere toys, it opened the door to the ornate layouts made to this day.
While the N scale was the original line of Bachmann models, they quickly made changes in order to expand into the HO scale. They could foresee at the time the HO scale would become the most well loved scale to date, which it has. Unfortunately for the company, they were not positioned to sell globally and were losing money. Bachmann Bros. sold the company to Kader who was the manufacturer of Bachmann products. From this sale, Bachmann industries was born and the company started selling globally. Even with a dwindling interest in model trains, the company was able to stay profitable.
In order to appeal to a broader market, the Bachmann model train company came out with a new product line called Spectrum. The Spectrum line was kept completely separate from the Bachmann line in order to cement the product as a luxury model train line. They did not want there to be any relation between the luxury Spectrum line and the Bachmann industries toy model trains which had sold up until that point. These trains offered much more detail at a much higher price. Made of metal with plastic gears, the company was able to keep costs down while building revenue from those who were serious about model railroading.
As an effort to reach the middle of the road, Bachmann model trains started selling Bachmann Plus in 1992. These trains had more detail than the regular Bachmann line, but not nearly as much as the Spectrum line. The creation of the line signified the go of production to China. Eventually the Bachmann plus line was dissolved and was replaced by the silver series. This is the middle grade that is sold today by Bachmann industries for those who aspire to have the Spectrum series, but cannot quite afford it yet.
John Vanse questioned:
Over the past 100 years several methods of controlling electric model trains have developed.
The first and simplest method was the use a simple variable transformer as introduced by Lionel in 1906 to lower the Alternating Current [AC] voltage from the wall to a lower, safer value and allow the user to control the speed of a model electric train by changing the amount of AC power applied to the track. In the 1920’s, Lionel included remote control reversing switches to allow the user to control the direction of the model train.
When Direct Current [DC] powered trains with permanent magnet motors were introduced, a different standard was developed for most two rail train tracks where the direction of trains were controlled by the polarity of the DC track power applied to the track.
In the late 1940’s Lionel added a new concept of applying DC on top of the AC track voltage to turn on and off an on-board whistle by remote control. This concept of high frequency transmission was introduced in the Lionel Electronic Train Control. This system supplied ten different signals that would control ten different remote control effects. The different high frequency signals were superimposed on the standard AC power when selected buttons were pressed at the control center. Each remote engine or rail car was equipped with a receiver unit that was tuned to the individual frequencies. When the right high frequency signal was transmitted, the corresponding receiver would toggle or turn-on some remote effect.
These high frequency signals increase the ability to remotely control various effects but they had other problems. Transmission losses were usually high and it was critically vital to keep the track, the track joints and the wheels of the receiving car or locomotive extremely clean. But extra feeder wires to different parts of the track were used to prevent signal losses and placing capacitors across the track joints and adding inductors at the power supply and on each accessory being used helped in reducing signal loss and in ensuring that all components of the model train layout operated properly. All this additional equipment but added to the cost, the complexity, and the maintenance for the model train operator.
Model train manufacturers have, over the years, introduced different methods of applying high frequency signals to the model train track to increase the remote control capabilities including independent train control which means that the operator can control the speed, direction and features of a number of different engines all on the same powered track section. With most DC and AC systems but, the largest problem is that there are only a limited number of remote control signals possible and their application is slow by modern digital standards.
The application of digital technology uses remote control signals to carry digital signals to decoders in the engine for digital command control of locomotives and other accessories.
Digital Command Control (DCC) is a method of controlling individual engines, rail cars and accessories by transmitting digital remote control signals down the track to on-board digital receivers and decoders in the locomotives, wagons and other rolling stock and accessories.
DCC has been around since the 1970’s but had not received wide acceptance because of the limited technology at the time and the difficulty and expense of installing receivers in each engine. With developments in digital technology these problems have diminished and over the last ten to fifteen years major model train manufacturers have produced several different versions of DCC. So many that unfortunately customers have been confused about which system is best.
Fortunately, in recent times, the National Model Railroad Association [NMRA] has established a preferred method of transmitting and receiving digital transmissions on model train layouts, based on the Lenz system developed in Germany and this is recognized as the accepted standard for DCC.