Shop Departments:
Trains
Model railroading (US) is a hobby in which rail transport systems are modeled at a reduced scale, or ratio. The scale models include rail vehicles (locomotives, rolling stock, streetcars, etc.), tracks, signaling, scenery (roads, buildings, vehicles, model figures, lights, and natural features such as streams, hills, canyons, etc.).
Involvement in the hobby can range from the possession of a train set to spending many hours on a large and exactly executed model of a railroad. The railroad and the scenery through which it passes is called a "layout". Model railroaders may find enjoyment in collecting model trains, building a miniature landscape for the trains to pass through, or operating their own railroad, albeit in miniature. Layouts vary from the very stylistic (sometimes just a simple circle or oval of track) to the "absolutely realistic", where real places are modeled to scale. We at The Time Machine have many very realistic layouts on site to serve as inspiration.
When deciding on where you should start in the model railroading hobby you should figure out which scale you would prefer to model. Children tend to prefer the larger scaled trains such as O gauge and G gauge because of the ease of handling and a larger level of durability. Marklin HO also has a very high durability and ease of use and is great for children. Adults and serious modelers tend to prefer HO and N scale because the level of layout complexity can lead to some very interesting and fun hobby projects. Marklin HO is also great for adults because its features and potential layout control go well above and beyond any system's limits. The different scales we carry are as follows:
- G scale (Garden, 1:24 scale) is most popular for back yard modeling. It is easier to fit a G scale model into a garden landscape and still keep the scenery proportional to the size of the trains running through. Gauge 1 is also popular for garden layouts. Gauge 1 is more precise to scale than G. Manufacturers of G and Gauge 1 include LGB, USA trains, Aristocraft, Marklin, and MTH.
- O scale (1:48 scale) is very popular in the U.S.A. with Lionel being one of the most well known names in American model railroading. Children especially enjoy the large size of the models and the many features such as sound and puffing smoke. O scale manufacturers include Lionel, Atlas, and MTH.
- HO scale (1:87 scale) is the most popular model railroading scale in the world. HO scale contains a lot of detail for it's size and allows for even smaller layouts to have a good amount of complexity. Highly recommended for permanent layouts. HO scale manufacturers include Atlas, Athearn, Walthers, Bachmann, and Trix, to name a few.
- A note on Marklin HO scale: Marklin is a line of top quality HO scale trains which run on a three-rail system. The line has it's own track, engines, rolling stock, accessories, etc. that is not compatible with two-rail systems.
- N scale (1:160 scale) is a popular scale roughly half the size of HO scale. This scale is most often used for permanent layouts in compact spaces. N scale runs on very similar power and track systems as HO scale but is much more compact, so an amazing amount of layout complexity can exist in a relatively small space. N scale manufacturers include Kato, Atlas, Athearn, Walthers, Bachmann, and Trix, to name a few.
- Z scale (1:220 scale) is growing in popularity since many companies such as Marklin are improving the engines to a practical, low-maintenance level. Often used for "briefcase" layouts z scale has become a strong curiosity for many model railroads because of it's incredibly small size. Z scale manufacturers include Marklin and Micro Trains.
Another note: many scales carry a corresponding sub-scale called narrow gauge. O scale's narrow gauge is called On30 and HO scale's narrow gauge is called HOn3. These sub-scales represent real life narrow gauge trains such as logging, and mining trains.
Model railway engines are generally operated by low voltage DC electricity supplied via the tracks, but there are exceptions (such as Maerklin and many O scale trains), which use AC power. Electric power also permits control by dividing the layout into electrically isolated blocks, where trains can be slowed or stopped by lowering or cutting the power to a block. Dividing a layout into blocks also permitts operators to run more than one train on a layout with much less risk of a fast train catching up with and hitting a slow train. Blocks can also trigger signals or other animated accessories on the layout, adding more realism to the layout. Three-rail systems will often insulate one of the common rails on a section of track, and use a passing train to complete the circuit and activate an accessory. Many modern day model railways use digital techniques and are computer controlled. The industry standard command system is called Digital Command Control, or DCC. Some less-common closed proprietary systems also exist, such as Marklin's digital system or MTH's DCS system. Digital systems allow railways to operate multiple trains without having to isolate areas of the layout. They also allow easy operation of an engine's other functions such as sound, smoke, or even coupling.
View our trains and accessories.