Fun With Trains

How Do Toy Train Engines Operate?

2010-02-28T14:33:00.000-08:00

An electric train engine runs by taking up an electrical current along the metal rails through metal engine's wheels that ride across the rails. The electricity is taken through the train wheels on to the electric motor, that causes the motor to move. Information on how a locomotive functions is just one issue that you can read more about in detail in a resource like Model Train Help (click here for more information).

The electric train motor connects to the train's wheels by way of a mechanical drive device. Anytime the electrical energy spins the train's motor, the engine's motor moves the gears that then move the train's wheels and drive the toy locomotive across the train tracks. Simple!

The particular connection place where the train locomotive wheel meets the track can be quite tiny. This is exactly why; it does not require much in the way of dirt or debris to prevent the wheel-to-rail contact. Grime can easily accumulate, for that reason it is very important for you to keep your train's wheels tidy and without any built up debris. When the wheels of your engine become dirty, they may not make good contact with the train tracks, and your train locomotive will then not move. Don't forget, plastic wheels will not transmit electrical current.

A good engine needs properly maintained locomotive's wheels and properly maintained gears. Poor performance by a engine is usually caused by problems with the gears or problems with the locomotive's wheels. However, there are lots of other things that can cause model trains to not work properly. That's why it is very important for electric train owners to have a reference publication such as Model Train Help (click here for more information).

Beginner Cycling Blog

2010-01-31T11:49:00.000-08:00

Hello, while we here at Fun With Trains think that electric trains are a great hobby, especially for winter-time fun, we like getting outdoors every now and then for some exercise and fun. In the past year, we've gotten into bicycling for fun and health.

In getting into cycling, we realized that there is a lot to learn for folks who haven't ridden a bicycle in 20 years. Therefore, we've started a new blog to help: Beginner Cycling

Please pay us a visit and consider getting out and onto a bicycle once the weather warms up. With the changing scenery and fresh air, cycling sure beats exercising in a gym!

Diecast Toy Vehicles - A New Blog

2009-04-13T07:10:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let our readers know that we have expanded our blogging into another great group of collectibles: Diecast Toy Cars

We will be discussing diecast vehicles from many of the popular manufacturers: Jada Toys diecast cars, Johnny Lightning cars, Corgi Diecast Cars, Maisto diecast cars, and Ertl diecast cars, to name a few. Also, we will be featuring a good number of diecast cars and diecast trucks for sale from each manufacturer.

Do, please do pay us a visit to learn all about diecast collectibles and browse some great deals on diecast toys!

Trip to World's Greatest Hobby Train Show

2009-01-07T15:03:00.000-08:00

We went to the World’s Greatest Hobby Train Show last weekend, and it was really the best model train show that I have ever attended. The kids had a great time on the ridable Thomas the Train, then we were able to see model train layouts in every scale possible – from Z scale layouts to G scale layouts, with lots of HO scale layouts and O scale layouts, of course. One that I especially enjoyed seeing was an O scale tinplate train layout with some neat old tinplate locomotives, coaches and freight cars.

There was also a kids’ room with hundreds of Thomas the Train Trackmaster sets for the children to play with. Also in that room were many Thomas the Train Play Tents, which my kids had a ball playing inside.

And, of course, there were many vendors – both from train shops and from train manufacturers, including: Atlas Trains, Bachmann Trains, Lionel Trains and MTH Trains.

I ended up buying one of the new Atlas Trainman N Scale Starter Sets. N scale has been one of the few scales that I haven’t dabbled in so far, but those Atlas Trainman train sets are a really good value – including a diesel locomotive, 4 freight cars, a power pack/controller and an oval of track.

The World’s Greatest Hobby Train Show is touring the nation, so chances are it may be in a location near you soon. If so, I would highly recommend it as fun for the whole family.

World's Greatest Hobby Train Show

2009-01-02T09:38:00.000-08:00

This weekend I am hoping to go to the Worlds Greatest Hobby Train Show. I have heard lots of great things about this show. The train show is supposed to be for everyone -- from those new to the model railroad hobby to those expert model train enthusiasts. There are supposed to be many model railroads set up to enjoy, as well as plenty of vendors where you can buy trains (any type you like).

It is also supposed to be a good train show for kids, with both a rideable Thomas the Train and also a hundred or more electric Thomas the Train sets for kids to play with. My kids have never been on a ridable Thomas the Train before, so they will love that -- wonder if it's big enough for grown ups too? :-) I'm really looking forward to the train show, and if I'm able to go I will let you know how it is.

LGB Christmas Train

2008-12-14T11:39:00.000-08:00

In my last post I was considering the different kinds of Christmas train sets that I could set up for our train under the Christmas tree this year. After considering Lionel Christmas train sets, Bachmann Christmas train sets and LGB Christmas train sets, I had narrowed my choices down to the following:

1. Lionel Train Sets: For a while I really thought I was going to get a Lionel North Pole Central Train Set or a Lionel Polar Express Train Set. The North Pole Central set comes in O scale, while the Polar Express set comes in O scale (see last link) or the Polar Express G Scale Train Set. Those Lionel O scale trains are electric train sets, while the Lionel G scale Polar Express is a battery operated train set.

2. Bachmann Train Sets: I looked at both G scale and HO scale Bachman train sets. In HO scale, I especially considered the Bachmann Grinch Train Set and the Bachmann Thomas Christmas train set.

3. LGB Train Sets: I looked at several different LGB Christmas train sets. If you browse through the listings in that last link, you'll see that there are many great LBG train sets out there to consider.

So, what did I end up going with? Perhaps the title of this article and the photo at the start might have given it away. I ended up going with an LGB train set -- specifically an LGB passenger train starter set. Here's a nice shot of the whole set:

The passenger cars on this train set have working doors, and the set comes with several plastic figures you can put in the passenger coaches. The locomotive for this set is a neat little LGB Stainz locomotive, which comes with many of the LGB train sets (which include the engine, train cars, a circle or oval of track, a power pack and controler). The LGB Stainz engine has some nice detail in the side rod assembly -- which makes it fun to show the kids where the pistons push the rods, which then rotate the wheels. This engine has a smoke generator and steam sounds that vary with engine speed. Here's a close-up of the LBG Stainz locomotive:

What about you -- have you set up a Christmas tree train set this year? If not, it's not too late to get one. If you have, please let us hear about it by commenting below.

Thinking about a Christmas Train Set

2008-11-20T23:44:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been thinking about buying a new Christmas train set for under the tree. I find that a Christmas tree is just not complete without a train running around the tree. We used to have a Christmas tree train set, but our old one was cheap and quit working (and can't be fixed). So, lately I've been looking around at Christmas trains.

We still have a Lionel Christmas trolley that we can run back and forth on a ledge around our family room. It is in O scale and just runs back and forth -- when the bumper at each end of the trolley hits the Lionel Fastrack bumper, the trolley automatically reverses direction.

Because we've been happy with the trolley, I've been browsing Lionel Christmas Trains to see what I like. Now, I'm having a tough time deciding: I like the Lionel North Pole Central train set, but also like the Lionel Disney Christmas train set. I looked at the Lionel Polar Express train set as well, but our kids haven't seen the Polar Express movie yet and I don't know that they are ready to see it yet.

Though I'm leaning toward a Lionel train set, there are also some pretty neat LGB Christmas train sets and Bachmann Christmas train sets as well. Though most of my model trains are in HO scale, I'm definitely thinking of either an O scale or G scale Christmas train -- because I think the large electric trains tend to hold up better when handled by kids.

Bachmann Train Sets

2008-10-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

Bachmann trains are one of the most popular brands of trains in the United States. You can find a Bachmann train set in almost any size you want: Bachmann N Scale trains, Bachmann HO Scale trains, Bachmann On30 Scale trains and Bachmann G scale trains. One reason for the popularity of Bachmann trains is that many Bachmann train sets are less expensive than some of the other brands of model trains that I have written about.

This is especially true with the Bachmann Thomas the Train electric train sets. These are quite reasonably priced "toy trains" that have controls that are very easy even for toddlers to use (an adult should supervise, since these are electric trains). Bachmann also produces many other cheap electric train sets in the "toy train" or "hobby grade" category -- not nearly as detailed as "model trains".

However, Bachmann also produces some nice model trains marketed as the Bachmann Spectrum train sets. I purchased the Bachmann Acela train set, which is from the Spectrum line of Bachmann HO trains, and have been pleased both with its quality and smooth running.

Bachmann also makes some G scale Christmas trains that are pretty affordable also. So, whether you are looking for an inexpensive toy train set for the kids, or a more expensive model train set, you should check out Bachman trains -- they have a train set for every budget.

A Great Place to Buy Trains!

2008-09-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

I recently started this site with a wide selection of electric trains, from inexpensive toy trains to detailed model trains, with brands such as: Bachmann Trains, Lionel Trains, LGB Trains, Marklin Trains, Fleischmann Trains, Aristo-Craft Trains and more! As we get closer to the holiday season, I'll be featuring Christmas tree train sets. So, please come by and browse some of the great bargains on trains!

Fun with my Marklin Starter Set

2008-08-21T20:26:00.000-07:00

Model train starter sets are both a good way to get into the model trains hobby and good trains for teaching children. Last weekend I used a low-priced Marklin HO starter set to entertain four toddlers for a good part of Saturday morning. The set I used is an older model that has now been replaced by the nicer Marklin 29156 low-priced starter set . Since I've been in the hobby for a few years now, I've got some higher-priced engines that are lots of fun, but should not be subjected to handling by toddlers!

Using the same O=O shaped layout I described in my last posting, for the first little while we introduced my friends' kids to driving just the engine around and working the manual switches for the "O" sidings -- and learning to reverse the engine and go forward again. After everyone had the hang of that, I set up the 2 cars from the starter set with one on each siding. The kids had fun backing into the siding and coupling the cars together (by backing the engine up slowly), and then reversing to pull forward out of the siding.

The kids had a lot of fun -- more fun than just running the train in an oval -- and I had fun teaching them! For more information about Marklin HO starter sets, and other Maerklin items, please see my Marklin Trains site.

Fleischmann Trains

2008-07-14T20:33:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I set up an oval of Marklin HO C-track with manual turnouts (track switches) on each end in a semicircle to the other side of the track -- kind of looked like this 0=0 except the = sign lines should be farther apart and connected at the top and bottom to the O's. Essentially, it looked like a 2-dimensional drawing of a cylinder.

With my two toddlers alternating as engineer and switch operators, we got out one of the Fleischmann HO locomotives that I bought from a friend late last year. Specifically, this was a Fleischmann T3 -- a neat little Prussian steam locomotive. HO Scale Fleischmann trains are made in both 2-rail DC and 3-rail AC formats, and this Flesichmann had be converted from 2-rail DC to 3-rail AC (allowing it to work on my Marklin 3-rail HO track) and also has a digital converter installed.

The kids had a ball flipping the switches to send the Fleischmann through the O sidings and then back onto the main line. I think they may have enjoyed the switching as much or more than their turns as engineer. The details on the Fleischmann T3 are nice, and the side-rods are a little more intricate than many engines -- and therefore neat to watch at slower speeds. That helped me to convince the kids that there are reasons not to run the train at full speed all the time!

For more information about Fleischmann model trains (in HO and N scales), please see my Fleischmann trains site.

Lionel Trains

2008-06-13T22:25:00.000-07:00

Lionel Trains are the quintessential American electric trains. Most Lionel Trains are modeled in O scale, which is twice as large as HO scale (HO stands for "Half-O") but still not as large as G scale.

The name Lionel has been a powerful brand in model trains for over 100 years now -- and chances are someone in your family may have an old Lionel train set in their attic. Those can sometimes command high prices on eBay, but before you run an antique train you should (at a minimum) apply oil to the engine per Lionel's instructions and be certain that the transformer is still safe for use. My Lionel trains site on Squidoo provides more information on Lionel trains and links to Lionel products.

Z Scale Trains

2008-05-12T20:16:00.000-07:00

Z Scale Model Trains are the smallest electric trains that are commonly available. Z-scale Trains are 1/220th of the size of the real-life prototypes that they are modeled after. The really appealing thing about Z scale is that you can set up a train anywhere -- in a studio apartment, as a centerpiece for your Christmas dinner, or as a curiosity in your office.

Z-scale trains are highly portable, and the smallest battery-powered Marklin Z starter sets come in a case about the size of a book. Also, Noch manufactures several layouts in briefcase size -- featuring bridges, tunnels, buildings and more. For more information on Z-scale model trains, including selected deals on z scale trains, please visit my Z Scale Trains site on Squidoo. And look for more information on the fun and challenges of modeling in this tiny scale on this web site in the future.

LGB Trains

2008-04-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

LGB trains are great! LGB stands for "Lehmann Gross Bahn", which is German for "Lehmann's Big Railroad". LGB trains are big, as they are made in G scale, the largest of the commonly availble model train scales. I've recently been getting into G scale trains, and am very pleased with the quality of LGB, and am impressed with how sturdy they are. For more information on LBG Trains, including selected deals on LGB trains, please visit my LGB Trains site. And, of course, please be sure to visit this blog again soon!
Browse LGB Trains Here:

Marklin Trains

2008-03-10T17:08:00.000-07:00

Markin trains are some of the highest quality model trains you can buy. Made in Germany, Marklin trains represent a higher level of detail and much better run characteristics than cheaper "toy trains" -- they run more smoothly at varying speeds, without jerking and stopping at slower speeds. A good friend of mine got me started with Marklin trains by giving me a starter set for Christmas a few years back. The whole family enjoyed the train, and I was extremely impressed with the quality -- much better than the old Tyco set I had as a child.

Getting into Marklin trains is both a fun hobby and a learning experience, so I recommend reading as much as you can. Marklin trains can also be expensive, so over the years I've learned to watch for good deals on eBay and I have found a handful of Marklin dealers who usually have good prices. For more information on Marklin model trains, and to see selected deals on Marklin trains from eBay and Amazon, please visit my Marklin Trains Site, and be sure to visit this blog again in the future!