|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Buying Your First Model Train Set - Part1 |
A buyer’s guide for selecting the right train set
Illustration by Jay Smith
| |
Train sets should be fun, no matter what your age. We hope your first train set will provide countless hours of enjoyment and even spark your interest in model railroading as a lifelong hobby.
A typical train set includes a locomotive, three to five freight or passenger cars, enough track to make a circle or an oval, a transformer (more appropriately called a power pack), and a set of wires that go between the power pack and the track. One of the track pieces is usually a “rerailer” section that helps you put the cars and the locomotive onto the rails more easily.
A more elaborate train set might include a track switch (called a turnout) and accessories such as telephone poles, a tunnel, a bridge, small structures, and even trees.
To get the right set for your needs, it’s important to be an informed consumer. Here are some tips to make your train-set buying and “playing” experience more enjoyable.
Age/Scale Recommendations
Here’s a good rule of thumb to follow if you’re buying the train set for a youngster: the younger the child, the larger the scale should be. (See the glossary below for the definition of “scale” and other key terms.)
Children 8 years and older will generally do fine with an HO scale (1:87 proportion, 1/87th of actual size) train set. Children younger than 8 might find the smaller equipment harder to handle, so larger equipment, like that found in S, O, and large scale train sets, will be more fun for them.
If the train set is for an adult or the entire family, any scale from Z through large can be considered. The smaller scales – Z, N, and HO – are especially good for people living where space is at a premium.
Glossary
- Couplers: The knuckle-shaped devices at the ends of locomotives and cars. The “horn-hook” style was developed several decades ago by the National Model Railroad Association to encourage mass-produced HO scale equipment. The “Rapido-style” coupler is the de facto standard for N scale. In recent years, however, more manufacturers have been offering their stock equipment with more-prototypical looking “knuckle”-style couplers, such as those first made popular by Kadee.
- Drivers: The large wheels on a steam locomotive connected by side rods.
- Flywheel: A turned, solid-metal cylinder mounted in line with a model locomotive’s motor that smooths out the motor’s rotating motion to the drive train.
- Rail joiner: A small metal clip that joins two sections of rail together.
- Rerailer: Section of track that guides wheels onto the rails.
- Scale: The proportion of a model in relation to its real-life counterpart. HO (“aitch-oh”) scale is the most popular model railroading scale, with a proportion of 1:87, or 1/87th of actual size. The second-most popular scale is N (1:160). Large scale can range from 1:32 to 1:20.3, with 1:22.5 the most popular. All large scale trains use the same track gauge. Other common scales in North America are O (1:48), S (1:64), and Z (1:220).
- Tender: The car immediately behind a steam locomotive that carries fuel for the firebox and water for the boiler.
- Throttle: The speed control of the locomotive; in the model world, a potentiometer controlling a voltage regulator.
- Truck: The frame assembly under each end of a car or diesel locomotive that holds the wheelsets.
- Wheelset: The wheel-axle assembly that fits into the truck. Most trucks have two or three wheelsets, depending on the type of car.
Also see part 2 and part 3, where we describe train set components, introduce model train set manufacturers, and provide suggestions for model train set shopping.
|
| Have a friend who’s interested in getting started in model railroading? We encourage you to forward the link to this story to them to help them get started! |
| |
The above articles is the property of and is
the copyright of Kalmbach
Publishing Co. |
|
|
|
|
