Bachmann Trains & Accessories

S Scale Model Trains Sets
For model train power supply’s, there is a set maximum safe voltage but what about amperage?

What if I connected a car battery to my G Scale train; It’s only 12 volts and they can go to around 20 at least I believe; but what about the 800 amps?

The motor will only take the amps it needs, so theoretically your plan will work. You’ll need a controller of some sort to regulate the speed, so look for one with 12 volts DC input and 0-12 volts output.

Now the fun starts when something derails and shorts across the track, then you get to full amps from the battery. IF the controller has a good cutout on the input side it and the train should be protected, if the cutout is on the output then maybe there’s enough wattage going through the controller to cook it.

As rule of thumb, voltage decides how far a spark will jump, amps how ‘fat’ it is. IF you get the full amps for even a moment during a short, it is quite capable of welding the wheels to the track. A friend still has a scar on his wrist where his metal watch strap spot welded itself to the positive terminal on the car and the adjacent body work. Fortunately he could reach a screwdriver to pries it free but the watch strap heated enough to give a severe burn. (Watch still works!)

Are you sure the battery is 800 amps, you’d start a real train on that, 80 amp hours is more likely for a small pickup.

Before there was mains electricity in some places some folk did use batteries, usually a set of six lead acid accumulators to give 12 volts, now your car battery just happens to be 6 lead acid batteries in series. However if you’ve ever seem a short in a car wiring system you’ll know the wires can easily melt.

So yes it will work, but be careful.

Frank

S Scale Model Trains Sets

O Scale Model Trains – A Popular Choice

No matter how old you are, if you love trains, you will likely adore the O-27 scale model train. If you want trains that don’t cost much, last a long time, and are easy to use, invest in O scale model trains. A lot of people who get trains as a hobby got their start with a Lionel, MTH, or American Flyer O scale model train that they set up in their home.

The German toy company Marklin developed the O scale train in 1900. Instead of providing a realistic train experience, they focused on making model trains fun. Before long, everyone used the O scale for their model railroads. Once the United States got through the Great Depression, it became standard to use O scale model trains. O scale tracks typically have three rails on them. You can find current O scale tracks in three or two track outfits, though (three rail tracks are powered). Since the advent of more realistic train operations, people have been passing over the O scale trains for HO and NO scale model trains. However, people still tend to start out their train collections with O scale trains.

What do O scale model trains do? Train scales are determined between the difference in size between their real counterparts. Regional scales tend to be a little different, though! O scale model trains in America are at 1:48 scale. However, British O scale trains have a 1:43.5 ratio. The rest of Europe has a 1:45 O scale ration. Therefore, you shouldn’t count on all O scale model trains worldwide to be the same size. Make sure you know how different the trains can be as you shop for O scale items.

What exactly is the O-27 scale and how is it different? You can find this among several O scale tracks. A regular O scale model has a 31 inch diameter when it’s made into a perfect circle. It’s technically O-31 scale, but since it’s the standard, it’s just called O scale. However, O-27 scale gives you a 27″ diameter if you lay out its track in a perfect circle. There are many different sizes of O scale track, like O-31, O-72, O-27, and O-54, so look out for these variations. As before, the number on the scale is the diameter of a circular track. With the smaller tracks, you can have a better efficiency of space, but it’s not as realistic, and it can be harder for full sizes O scale trains to navigate the track. You can, though, mix and match your track sizes so you can make your own custom track that meets your desires.

O scale model trains are becoming more popular of late, despite the dominance of N and HO scale trains. Due to this newfound popularity, it’s easy to find O scale equipment and trains nowadays. In the past few decades, O scale model trains have enjoyed a much higher level of detail. Since O scale standards tend to be confusing, it’s hard to find consistent equipment. Make sure you know how different O scale is in each region, and whether or not you want two or three rail tracks. Despite all this, you can’t go wrong with O-27 scale model trains, especially if you just want to get started with model trains as a hobby.

About the Author

Mike Foster is a model train enthusiast and enjoys helping others learn about this fascinating hobby.

For more on O scale model trains, visit his website: http://model-train-essentials.com

Does anybody know the collectible value of a Hot Wheels Train Set from the 1980’s?

I hava a very nice 1984-85 Stow and Go Hot Wheels Freight Yard train set that I would like to sell, but I can’t get anywhere with a search, other than ebay. One just like mine sold today for $76.00. It is in perfect condition, with all the track and 4 cars, including a scale model of Santa Fe engine, and caboose. I don’t want to sell on line, but to a private collector. I would like to know the value so he doesn’t gyp me out of it’s true worth. Help anyone? Thanks.

I notice a lot of local dealers charge MORE than eBay value for items. A trea$ure hunt on eBay may sell for $10, the local dealer would sell it for $15-20.

However, on the train set it may be hard to find a local collector willing to pay much for because it is considered a “sideline” piece and not a mainstream “hot wheels” car. If you can get $50 for it locally, I would say you did good.

I would sell it on eBay instead as you will be more apt to make more money with it. With the right pics and title in your listing, you can do better then $75, maybe even close to $100 if you listed it today (with xmas near)

Model Trains