heart of georgia railroad Resources

   
Help & Resources - Model Trains
 
Web Directory and Resources  


 
   Sponsored Links

 
   Additional Heart Of Georgia Railroad Resources

How Does The Power Supply Work
On A Model Train Set?

Most model train sets run on low voltage. Unlike the AC electrical circuit in your house, the electricity that moves your model train locos is DC, ie. Direct Current. The supply to your model train layout comes by plugging a power pack (also called a transformer) into a wall socket that takes the AC supply, steps it down to the 12-15 volts needed to run the trains and up to 18 volts for the train set accessories.

The transformer converts the output to DC, filters the DC to purify it, then outputs the supply from the terminals on the back of your controller, along a couple of wires to the train tracks where it is picked up by your locomotives wheels, turning the motor within. The throttle control varies the voltage to the rails, changing the speed of the motor and consequently the rate your locomotive moves down the train track.

How A Locomotive Moves Around A Model Train Layout


DC electricity is directional, so the electricity flows along the wires in a certain direction, and the locomotive moves in the direction set by the directional switch on your controller (or left and right if your controller has a centre off type control knob).

These lower step-down voltages are not usually dangerous, but it�s safest to attach wires to the terminals when the power pack is unplugged from the wall.

You Control The Train Speed


Regardless of how simple or complex the train layout is, all model train operation follows one basic principle. You control the train speed and direction by varying the voltage and polarity of the electricity reaching the motor. You are in control!

Electrical currents are not the same in every country. It is important that you know what voltage system operates in the country where you reside. If you are at all unsure, contact your local electricity supplier, or a local electrical contractor. The high voltage circuit in the wall socket can cause injury or death. Also, carefully read any safety instructions that are included with most train sets before getting started.

By Robert Anderson - Author of best-selling ebook 'Model Train Help'

 

 
   Sponsored Links

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] >>


 

heart of georgia railroad
Georgia Southwestern Railroad, Inc., a freight rail line in southwestern Georgia and eastern Alabama. ... the GA DOT Vidalia line to the Heart of Georgia Railroad. At about the same time, ...
 
heart of georgia railroad
'); '); Baker County, Georgia, History, Resources, and Links Southwest Georgia county Banks County, Georgia, History, Resources, Links, and Events Northeast of Atlanta, Banks County was a ...
 
heart of georgia railroad
©2004 Heart of Georgia Railroad | All content and images are copyrighted to their respective holders.
 
heart of georgia railroad
Re: Heart of Georgia Railroad (HOG Railroad) [ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Rails USA Forum ]
 
heart of georgia railroad
Few acts have carved as distinctive a niche in modern musical history as Confederate Railroad. With their high-energy combination of honky-tonk rockers, sensitive ballads, and offbeat ...
 

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] >>

 
   Heart Of Georgia Railroad World News

 

 

 
   Directory Links

H O Scale Trains
H O Train Sets
H0 Scale
Hallmark Keepsakes Lionel
Hallmark Lionel Train Set
Hallmark Lionel Trains
Hallmark N Scale Brass
Halloween Train Sets
Hanging Train Track
Hanging Train Tracks
Harley Box Car O Scale
Harley Caboose O Scale
Harley Davidson Christmas
Harley Davidson Ho Train Set
Harry Potter Ho Scale Train

Harry Potter Train Set
Hartland G Scale
Hawaiian Steam Locomotives
Health O Meter Bigfoot Scale
Health O Meter Mechanical
Heart Of Georgia Railroad
Heavy Rail Rolling Stock
Heber Valley Railroad
Heisler G Scale Model Railroad
Heisler Locomotive
Heritage Train Hobby
Heywood Model Railway
Heywood Model Railway Group
Hinkley Locomotive Works
History Model Train

» HO Wagon Weight
18/06/12 23:16 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
Stanley wants advice from others in the hobby: "Dear Readers. This question has probably been asked many times [and answered] but I am in the dark about what is an average weight per wagon [European] to hold to the track properly especia...

» HO Track Spacing
18/06/12 23:12 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
Richard wants advice from others in the hobby and asks: "What is the spacing of tracks where two run side by side? What is the spacing on curves? Previous answers have referred to NMRA standards but that means nothing to me. If I want to...

» 0 Scale Baggage Car
18/06/12 23:10 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
Neil has a question for readers: "I am looking for an accurate representation of the B60b baggage car in the Lindbergh Special to substitute for the model in Lionel's se. It isn't even a Pennsylvania Railroad type and is as long as their...

» Layout Configurations
11/06/12 23:11 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
748 model railroaders voted in our last poll that asked: Which layout configuration(s) do you have on your layout? The results were as follows: Oval Track 303 (40%) Figure 8 Track 65 (8%) Dogbone Track 121 (16%) Twice-Around Track 307 (4...

» Some More Structure Tips
11/06/12 23:06 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
John has kindly contributed this tip. In a recent Tip we learned from Robert Anderson about saving space by having spur tracks and/or a hill leading to a large industry that is out of view and not really on the layout. Another way o...

» HO Scenery Plans and Structures
11/06/12 23:03 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
Andrew will like some advice from other railroaders and asks: "Hi guys, I have an 8/4 layout structured on a rural plan. I already have a station, lumber yard, campsite, beach, lake etc. My question is what should I get next for building...

» OO Gauge Tracks
11/06/12 23:01 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
Malcolm has a question for experienced model railroaders: "I am a senior beginner to trainsets. I am building 3 tracks on a board 6 x 6 and hopefully bigger in future. But am having problems making the train go from track to track - it c...

» Building A Small Track Plan Using The KISS Principle
07/06/12 00:06 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
John has once again contributed some great ideas to share with others in the hobby. John writes... In the pages of model railroad Tips by Robert Anderson, there are recommendations for small layouts, both around and around and point-to-p...

» Changing Couplers
06/06/12 23:57 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
Wayne has a question that has been answered previously (search older postings) and which is answered fully in the members area of the online model train club . Readers might like to give a quick answer. "I have several older N scale cars...

» O Lighted Car Wiring
06/06/12 23:54 from Model Trains and Model Railroading Help
Steven asks readers for advice: "I have 2 North Pole Central passenger cars that had an unfortunate experience, they got hung up on the track and fried the wires inside. Is it any use to try to re-wire them or just pull all the wires out...