How Does a Model Railway Work?
The Basics There are several types of model trains, from real steam-powered engines you can actually sit on and ride, to LGB with cars like shoeboxes, to the classic Lionel 0 and 027gauge (very hardy for kids to manage), to HO scale (cars the size of an eyeglass case but suitable for ages eight up) to the tiny N gauge and even smaller Z gauge (serious adults only). A model train needs enough room to run a good-sized track. The necessary components for running a train include curved and straight tracks, an electric engine which will pull the rest of the cars, a transformer and an electrical outlet. Many kits have all you need to get set up and rolling immediately. How the Train Moves The transformer plugs into a regular household outlet and gets 125 volts of electricity which it transforms into the 12- or 16-volt current required by the train set. The wheels of the engine pick up the electricity from the track, which makes its electric motor turn. Other cars with lights get their electr
