LocoTrain

The Atlas Model Railroad Company, was founded by Stephan Schaffan Sr., an immigrant from Czechoslovakia, in 1924, as a general machine shop in New Jersey. His son Steve Jr. was interested in building model airplanes and was friendly with a local hobby shop owner. With a drive to venture into new avenues of earning money, Steve Jr. took up the challenge of improving the model track parts when the owner suggested it. Model trains were famous in those days, but the railroads and other accessories were not available. Steve Jr. created a "switch kit" that was an instant hit. This lead to the invention of stapling of rail to fiber track, rail joiner, pre-assembled turnouts and flexible track. The range of...

Originally a toy company that specialized in doll house accessories, Marklin found its name and fame spreading with the branching and developing the model railways. The first ones were the wind-up trains with cars that ran on tracks. These tracks could be expanded and extended. Marklin realized that the initial purchase of the model trains would keep the consumer coming back for the accessories and also more train sets. Marklin is also known to have developed model railroad gauges or scales other than N scale and Wide gauge. The range of scales available are Gauge 1, HO scale and Z scale. Trix, acquired by Marklin, provides Holdings of N-scale and DC operated HO scale. Marklin's range of HO train...

There are many popular model railroading products on the market including the N scale model railroading; it's got varying scales of 1:148 to 1:160 and a 9 millimeter gauge. A reason for their popularity is they don't take as much surface space that's seen with the H0 scale model railroads and are visually more appealing than that model as well. How The N Scale Locomotives Are Powered The majority of N scale locomotives are powered and controlled by the 12-volt DC motors; however, newer models are controlled by the DCC supply (or Digital Command Control) along with a system that sends out commands by way of a decoder located in the train's locomotives. The N scale model railroading standard coupling...

Silica gel is a granular, vitreous, highly porous form of silica made synthetically from sodium silicate and despite the name is actually solid. Silica gel is most commonly encountered in everyday life as beads packed in a paper sachet. In this form, it is used as a desiccant to control local humidity in order to avoid spoilage or degradation of some goods. Because of poisonous dopants and their very high adsorption of moisture, silica gel packets usually bear warnings for the user not to eat the contents. If consumed, the pure silica gel is unlikely to cause acute or chronic illness, but would be problematic nonetheless. However, some packaged desiccants may include fungicide and pesticide poisons...

The Atlas Railroad Co INC. Produces model railway trains and accessories. The product range is limited to HO and N gauge model trains, rolling stock and accessories. The product range at first sight seems a bit limited when compared with others but that is not important if the range of HO and N products stand up well to close scrutiny. Their range of N gauge is very good and as it is concentrated on diesel and diesel electric units it is unpretentious. The overall modelling seems to be accurate and well assembled and It must be said also that they look terrific, well made and the livery is spot-on. The published specifications of Atlas trains are impressive and some of the track specs are...

Simply stated, a hybrid vehicle is one that utilizes more than one source of energy to move or propel the vehicle. Depending upon the type of vehicle in question, it may utilize a combination of many different types of energy sources. Some of the most commonly used energy sources in hybrid vehicles include: - Petrol or Diesel - Rechargeable Energy Storage System - Electricity - Natural Gas - Compressed Air - Human Power (pedaling, etc.) Human powered hybrid vehicles are perhaps illustrations of the simplest use of the hybrid technology. For instance, a moped is a human powered hybrid vehicle. It utilizes an electrical motor or an internal combustion engine along with the mechanical energy created by...

We mean the shipping container here, not beer kit container. The 20 feet shipping container, 20'x8'x8.5' in size, can accommodate a mobile dwelling unit, with beds and furniture that fold into the wall, for example. Shipping containers come mostly in the standard sizes of 20 feet, 40 feet and 45 feet high-cube (the last with a height of 9.5'). If desired, containers can be customized in various ways, by constructing containers of a different dimension, or converting them into, say, houses. Containerization Containerization facilitates inter-modal freight transport, i.e., container ships, railroad cars, and trucks can all accommodate standard sized containers. There are also standard containers for...

When I was a child and my father would take me to the toy store, I remember scanning the shelves, always looking for the model train sets as they completely fascinated me. There was just something about the look of the locomotives that I found entrancing. Then one day, I was lucky enough to get a model railway set all of my own. As you can imagine, as a young boy, this was the most amazing day ever! I still have it packed away in the attic somewhere I think.   However, even at that age, I found that it wasn't long before I grew tired of that railroad set. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I got bored of model railway trains completely. In fact, quite the opposite had happened. The...

Model railroad trains hold a special place in many people's hearts. Memories may include assembling the layout with dad, linking up the segments of track, oiling up the wheels, and that magical moment of setting the locomotive in motion. Such happy memories often lead to a lifetime fascination with model railroading that continues into adulthood, which is why there are so many grown-ups who have become serious hobbyists. Model railroad trains are beautiful to behold. Crafted of sturdy metal with fine detailing, and exactly replicating their real life counterparts, these are not "toys" by a standard definition. They do not break easily. They are not discarded after one season. In fact, they are often...

There are quite a few resources you can use to search for information on all aspects of G-scale trains. Their wide popularity has generated dedicated websites, G-scale train clubs, and national and international organizations. NMRA (The National Model Railroad Association) has a great website as a place to begin. This website is for all scales of model trains, and thus you will need to dig a little to find what you are looking for. NMRA is a non-profit organization that was formed for the encouragement and growth of the model train hobby around the world. With 17 regions across the world, they are one of the largest model train organizations in existence. As with most organizations, NMRA holds...

B&O history Construction Designed by Baltimore architect E. Francis Baldwin in a blend of modified Romanesque and Renaissance styling, the station was constructed in 1896 by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) as part of its massive Baltimore Belt Line improvement project for its New York passenger service. Located at the north end of the B&O's Howard Street tunnel, the station was built of Maryland granite trimmed with Indiana limestone, with a red tile roof and landmark 150-foot (46 m) clocktower. The station's interior featured marble mosaic flooring, a fireplace, and rocking chairs. It opened to the public on September 1, 1896. "It was considered," said the Baltimore Sun, "the...

Fuel costs seem to rank high in surveys of US citizens most grave concerns. Rates up there at the top, doesn't it? Who are some heavy users of fuel that are not as often thought of? For surface transportation there are many indeed; cars, trucks, buses, etc. While we are talking about surface transportation, let's talk about trains. The railroad has always been a big part and played an even larger part in the flow of fuel even before the locomotives used fuel. Even back when the trains were steam driven from coal. The Flow of Fuel is very important and no one can argue that, better than Rockefeller. As you know he was a master of the flow, all the way down to controlling his cost and his competitors...

For many people their first model railroading experience begins with a circle or oval on just a piece of plywood. It tends to be very basic with no extras such as buildings, scenery or landscaping. Before long the desire to add more accessories to make a more realistic model can turn this into an ongoing project that can grow in intensity. Everyone will have their own favorite accessories and layout but there are 5 items that are a must to add realism and interest to your railroad model. 1. The Train Station The train station will probably be one of the first buildings added. It's the focal point for starting and ending and the town can be built around it. 2. Lighting Railroads can have various...

It is no secret that the railroad industry is a growing one that requires a huge number of specially trained personnel to make sure that everything stays working properly. As long as the price of other modes of transport continues to climb in relation to the cost of rail transport, more and more companies will choose to ship their products by train. Passenger trains are usually filled to capacity these days with the cost of gasoline for personal vehicles being at an all-time high. It simply makes more economical sense to take the train to and from work, rather than using your car. Shortage of Qualified Railroad Personnel Repair and maintenance workers ensure that the train locomotives and all the...

Some model railroad lovers may prefer a train that is part of the garden landscape, while others may simply use larger spaces indoors to create complex tracks, or overwhelming sceneries around the tracks. To make model railroad enthusiasts completely happy, model trains are created in a variety of sizes, each having a purpose and a prototype. When referring to train sizes, the term "scale" would always come to play. Since model trains are created based on real life original trains, their sizes have to be in the form of a ratio, that is, the ratio between the replica and the original. There are 4 popular scales, but along the bigger ones, the most popular would be the scale O. The scale O measures 1...

Lionel has been a name in model trains for a long time. They have many different sizes and styles for everyone. With the company dating back to the early 1900's, they are still a popular choice for many. They have had their share of problems, but they are still here and here to stay. You can find many types of Lionel electric trains. They have sets that are already to operate. You just take them out of the box, assemble the track, and off you go. These are great starter sets for kids. The sets use battery-powered transformers and are easy to operate. The Lionel train sets use the FasTrack, which is simple to snap together. Sizes of model trains are often referred to as gauge and Lionel makes some of...

Florida is an ideal vacation location.  It has many major metropolitan areas and thousands of miles of oceanfront beauty.  Of course, Disney World, Universal Studios and Busch Gardens provide fun and adventure for the whole family. Fortunately, you can travel to most of the major Florida vacation areas by Amtrak.  Three daily trains travel to and through the state from the east coast.  As a relaxing and affordable method for travel to Florida, the train is preeminent.  Given the rising cost and hassle of air travel, a land alternative may be the most enjoyable way to get to the Sunshine State. Here are five tips/hints for effectively traveling to/from Florida by Amtrak: One:  You must decide...

Bamboo train transportation performs a key role during the advancement of societies. Sumerians invented the wheel in 3500 BC to aid during the movement of hefty stone as they designed their temples; Romans created a vast network of roads across their Empire so soldiers could march and conquer more efficiently; Egyptians constructed ships to access more markets for trade and later on, canals were created to give additional passage. In the 1800s, America's own Industrial Revolution was spurred on by expanded transportation including the Cumberland Road (now part of Interstate 40), the creation of the Steamboat, the opening of the Erie Canal and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869...

The first mechanical transportation ever made is the steam-powered locomotive. It is the very first mode of transportation which never utilizes animals or people to push or pull it in order to move it. The power it delivered made it the undisputed inland freight mover of all time. Richard Trevithick was the first man to invent the steam-powered locomotive which he completed in 1804. Another Englishman named George Stephenson, designed and made the first successful steam locomotive that started the use of coal-driven transportation in England and around the world. He named his first locomotive Blucher, after the tenacious German General Gebhard von Blucher. In 1829, he would invent a more powerful...

Description Stacking shipping containers each with a standard ISO 6346 reporting mark A typical container has doors fitted at one end, and is constructed of corrugated weathering steel. Containers were originally 8 feet (2,438 mm) wide by 8 feet (2,438 mm) high, and either a nominal 20 feet (6,096 mm) or 40 feet (12,192 mm) long. They could be stacked up to seven units high. Taller units have been introduced, including 'hi-cube' or 'high-cube' units at 9 feet 6 inches (2,896 mm) and 10 feet 6 inches (3,200 mm) high.[citation needed] The United States often uses longer units at 48 ft (14.63 m) and 53 ft (16.15 m). Some rare European containers are often about 2 inches wider at 2.5...

Ah, the Circus, that magical spell that casts over us at the sights of the huge and colorful Circus Posters on Billboards, TV spots and Commercials of the daring young people on the Flying trapeze followed by tons of thundering performing pachyderms and the wafting smells of freshly cooked popcorn, sawdust, and canvas. Nothing brought more pleasure to the masses than the Circus in America. For over 200 years the general public has been awestruck at the sounds of the first steam engine pulling the circus train into town until the lights finally went out late that night. No where else could be found the rhythm of six strong backs swinging a sledge hammer in a sequential unison to drive the five inch...

Growing up in the United States during the 1980s, I marveled at the 12V train sets pictured in my LEGO catalogs. That was all I could do, since purchasing a train in the U.S. typically involved tearing out the order form in the catalog and mailing it to LEGO Shop at Home in Enfield, Connecticut. Mail-order goods were still a fairly new concept then, and my parents weren't very excited by the idea of me sending off for an expensive train set. Instead, I spent my childhood building LEGO towns and space stations, while my train set was of the common ‘HO' variety. To my delight, the 1992 catalog introduced the 9V system in earnest and offered the ideal union of LEGO bricks with electric trains that...

If you are a newcomer to the world of model railroaders, there are a few things you will need to know to get you started on the right track (no pun intended). First, you will commonly hear the term HO scale. Probably this one has been suggested that you start with if it's your first investment. The HO means half zero. Which means they are half the size of the "O" scale referring to model trains? The HO scale model trains are very realistic. They are very closely designed as to the real locomotives. Then you can add to your set with the huge variety of train cars and tankers as well. Adding your personal design touch is really fun and easy. Once you have completed your set then you can start into...

Model train enthusiasts have many different preferences and requirements. Some like trains that run through the garden, back yard, or park. Others may have plenty of indoor space that can handle a major train layout. Still others might have less space, but still want it to accommodate a complete setup. Model train makers seek to meet these needs by offering model trains in several sizes, or scales. Of the large-scale trains, the most popular size is O. The scale for O is 1:48, meaning that it is one-48th the size of an actual real-world train. The gauge for O (the width of the track, between the rails) is 1 1/4 inch. HO - continental Europe's and North America's most popular model railway scale - is...

Toy train and model railroad enthusiasts across the world are not shy about showing off their collections. In fact, a great deal of time goes into building their ultimate toy train collection and layouts. Serious collectors know how much time and energy goes into their creations. Weather you are a new collector, or someone who has been collecting toy trains for many years, the same goals are shared when it comes to both train layouts and design. The joy each train collector experiences when building their display is like no other. Train collections usually feature vintage trains manufactured by some of the best in the industry, such as Lionel, Marklin, Fleischmann, and Rivarossi. The possibilities...

Do you live close to railroad tracks? If you do then you have probably had train horns wake you up in the middle of the night. These horns are loud and have a distinctive blast when the train conductors blown those horns. Living close to railroad tracks or a railroad crossing can be upsetting if you are sleeping and get abruptly woken up by them. Another possible problem with living close to railroad tracks is when you are on the phone. If you are talking to someone and the train is thundering by and blowing the horns, then you will inevitably not be able to carry on your conversation until the train passes. I've know other people who were trying to watch a television show or movie and the train...

Back in the 1970s, there was a huge war going on between the model train makers. Companies rose and fell with regularity as model trains became prime business. One of the names to come out of this time period is K-Line. K-Line was originally a brand used by the MDK Company in the 1975. MDK was a dealer for one of the more established brands, Lionel. K-Line was their brand for their tracks, which complemented the Lionel and American Flyer, another popular model maker, locomotives. However, as this was a time of great rises and falls of companies, MDK was about to get a great opportunity. With all the turmoil, one of the toy train-making companies, Louis Marx and Company, filed for bankruptcy in 1978...

What is going on when your train won't go around the track? Can you make a lighter train or a different locomotive go around the loop? If so, then you've likely pushed the limits with the heavier train that won't. BrickTrainShop examines these limits to help you pick and choose where to focus your efforts to get your trains moving. Let's begin with a little perspective; take a look back at most of the 9v line and you will see lightweight train sets with two to four cars, and often the cars did not have bogies. A good example is at the beginning of the line in 1992. The Load N' Haul Railroad (set 4563, profiled in this issue) had three cars, each with only two axles. This tradition continues to the...

The HO scale train has become the most popular train scale in the world. The HO stands for half of O, which is 1:87 scale and having a track gauge of 16.5 mm (0.650 in). The HO scale was born out of the Great Depression. The scale first appeared in the United Kingdom. The train being half the size of O could be produced for less allowing more people to purchase the train than that of O scale. The HO scale became very popular in the United States in the 1950s when modelers became more interested in true scale and realism. The HO scale train is a perfect size for most train modelers. The train is half the size of an O scale, which allows the modeler to incorporate twice the scenery and detail into the...

1. Origin and Construction The clouds, draping the mountains like strands of silver steel wool, hung low over the Lynn Canal, gateway to the historic city of Skagway, Alaska, itself the origin of thousands of stampeders who had begun their 45-mile treks over the White Pass Summit toward the Klondike gold fields of the Yukon in Canada in 1897 and 1898. The throngs continued to infiltrate the area today from vessels which also sailed from Seattle, but all disembarked from one of the many daily cruise ships which docked a short distance away. The passengers crowding the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad Depot spilled out to the concrete platform and into one of many departing trains, including those...

Transport Tycoon Create challenging road-rail-air-sea systems to move products, something not to mention individuals throughout numerous excellent routes on amazing SVGA 3-D isometric world maps. Build stations, docks and airports to make money simply by connecting places needing Transport Tycoonservices. Experience cut-throat competition, deal with characteristic town councils, manage with dilemmas and also implement unique vehicles as they are introduced with time. Furthermore The World Editor which lets you develop new worlds from scratch, like an alternative Martian landscape! Being a budding tycoon you've been loaned a significant sum of bucks in order to use in understanding the intricacies...

If you search online you will be able to find all kinds of different hints and model train tips, from how to choose the right model train scale, to how to create realistic looking model train scenery. In this article I am going to bring some of the lesser known tips to your attention though. Now, in the introduction I mentioned model train scale and by typing those words into any search engine it's relatively simple to find tips as to how to determine model train scale and what the difference is between scale and model train gauges. However, do you know what the implications of these size differences are? Now I'm not talking about the fact that different scales can't be used together (well, not...

Creating model train layouts can be such a fun and fulfilling hobby, especially when you get to see the final product. Nothing beats seeing your favorite sceneries reduced to smaller sizes and then having them displayed in your home. However, there are many considerations you need to think of before you can even begin to recreate the model train layout. One of these is the type of train you are going to use. Why? Trains, like everything else in the world, went into an evolution, from British steam locomotives to Japanese bullet trains. When you develop your layouts, you want to stay true to the train design and scenery as much as possible. For example, if you are planning to capture the vibrant San...

The first N scale model were introduce in 1962 by the Arnold company. The N scale model trains are very small compared to most other scale trains. The scale is the second largest modeled train scale in the world. The N scale is almost half the size of the HO scale trains, having a track gauge of 9 mm. Therefore the N in N scale stands for Nine millimeters from rail to rail. This means that it is only.354 of an inch between the rails of the track, which is very small. The scale ranges from 1:148 to 1:160 with the track gauge always being 9mm. The 1:160 scales is the most used and considered the correct scale for modelers in the United States. The N scale locomotives are small, but usually have very...

From the time my son was born, I read to him daily. Even when he was a colicky infant, there was something that seemed to soothe him when I read The Cat in The Hat. Reading was challenging between 9-15 months when he went through a stage where he seemed more interested in tugging and pulling the books than listening to the content so we relied heavily on board books or less expensive paperback versions. During this time I'd often read aloud classics in young readers literature, such as Beverly Cleary books while he played in a room. Sure he probably didn't understand the story, but he was hearing me sound out words and my voice was a comfort to him. During his terrible twos, being read to was one...

Last year, the amount of machinery industry production and sales were 10 trillion mark for the first time, machine-building industry has been for 7 years, the total amount of sales to a new level trillion yuan. According to Machinery Industry Federation expects 2010 sales growth of up to 15% of the profit growth of about 10%, export growth of 15% or so, beginning to achieve shrinkage of policy adjustments do not change the industry recovery, but the industry does not have the short-term Quotes of the kinetic energy out of an independent, of course, with the gradual disclosure of annual reports as well as the recovery in exports is still no shortage of bright spots. The strong support of the macro...

Extreme reliability, high precision and efficient distribution are the cornerstones of German products sold around the world, especially engineered products. Can we therefore expect the same form LGB model trains and accessories? Marklin are the biggest distributors of model trains, probably in Europe and they distribute LGB products in Germany and elsewhere. Marklin also promote other Model brands and that means LGB have to at least hold their own against other German manufacturers. They have to compete head on in terms of quality and price because they do have stiff competition. The Marklin own brand for instance and 4MFOR and TRIX brands are all fabricated in German workshops. In fact these...

It would be a very interesting statistic to know just how many model railroaders currently engaged in the hobby got their start as a result of a Lionel Christmas train set under the Christmas tree. Certainly the volume manufacturers of model railroad equipment believe this is a major date in the sales calendar and for some time they have responded by making specifically Christmas-themed products available. The Polar Express is Still Number One. The race is already on for the 2010 Christmas season and Lionel are quite understandably foregrounding their very popular O gauge Polar Express Christmas Train set. As well as the train itself, but at extra cost, there are 1/48th scale figures from the movie...

Are you looking for a new way to make your pickup, 4x4 or SUV standout? Train horns for trucks are one of the hottest trends in after-market accessories currently available. These devices look and sound like the real thing, and they should since many models are made by the same companies that produce the air-powered horns for locomotives. Finding information about train horns for trucks as well as a place to purchase them is as easy is doing an Internet search. There are several different websites, many of which are run by webmasters who are also fans of these devices and are happy to answer your questions and provide the information you need to make a wise purchase decision. All you need to do is...

As we all know that the power is needed indeed for industrial machines to operate. They are linear motion, together with the rotating motion. And it is necessary to convert these two motions from each other under some operating systems. Thus, the connecting rod comes to get this problem out. It is generally used in a reciprocating piston engine which affects through connecting the piston to the crank or crankshaft. It can be said it plays the role as the engine before the engine being put into practice. In fact, the earliest evidence for a connecting rod dates back to the late 3rd century AD in Rome. It is firstly used to convert the rotary motion of the waterwheel into the linear movement of the...

It seems there is a growing demand to cruise Wales along with other British ports, to the extent that Wales could come to emulate some of the top European cruising destinations in a popular leisure cruise market. This was among the conclusions of a recent report prepared by a committee of legislators in the House of Commons, the British Parliament. The report notes the strong growth in the UK cruise market over the last ten years or so, and recommends action is taken so that Wales can share in this exciting growth, and thereby help to strengthen economies around Welsh ports. But keen ocean cruise travellers looking to cruise Wales should note that at present there are insufficient docking facilities...