Comments on: Can I Operate Locomotives Purchased in the USA on European Track?

By: Brian Harper

Brian Harper — Wed, 14 Mar 2018 16:03:22 +0000

In reply to Fergy. I have a gauge master series Q, bought in UK and use 110v to run my loco's, and I live in Canada and I have UK and US loco's

By: Gerry

Gerry — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 17:11:08 +0000

Listen to the guys about the differences in engines/rolling stock and TRANSFORMERS. Whenever I travel to country’s that run on the higher voltage/lower Hz I carry a voltage converter to run all my U.S. electrical stuff, computer, hair dryer etc. to protect my 110v 60Hz stuff.
What I’m saying is that the engines ARE NOT the problem and they should run just fine as they are running on the already converted VAC, whether you’re running on EU or US, to 0-15 VDC.

By: Anthony Germagliotti

Anthony Germagliotti — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 01:44:50 +0000

you will have no problem buying locos on ebay or any place else because your power pack puts
out dc voltage to the track not ac so you do not have to worry about if it is 50 or 60 cycles thats input
voltage not output voltage which is dc,

By: Sheldon Clark

Sheldon Clark — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 00:52:21 +0000

In reply to Alfred. Actually, UK uses 1:148 because the real thing is smaller than elsewhere, so they look about the same size as, for instance, European 1:160. Otherwise, absolutely correct in every respect. It's the transformers in or supplying the controllers you have to be careful with. Best advice for anyone in USA, for instance, is to buy & use controllers and/or transformers made for use in USA.

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 07:22:01 +0000

Thanks to all, thanks for all the extensive answers, that’s really great and much appreciated!!

By: Rick Saviano

Rick Saviano — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 04:16:28 +0000

I used to model in N (and HO in my younger days, for that matter), but now model in Z. The important things to remember are:
1. There is a difference between Mains voltage and track voltage.
2. There is a difference between scale and gauge
Gauge is the distance between the insides of the track, and that is almost completely standardized. The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) sets the standards in the U.S., and almost all the model train manufacturers world-wide follow those standards. I have purchased traincars in many European countries, and have had no problems running them in the U.S.
Scale is approximate compared to gauge, and the difference is most noticeable in G, or No. 1 gauge, the cool thing is that N track can be used as HOn3 and Z track can be used as Nn3 – the tracks are that standardized. Bottom line is that, as long as your transformer takes your local mains voltage, you should have no problem running your trains, because the track will not be a problem.

By: David Stokes

David Stokes — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 02:57:41 +0000

In reply to Joel.

Andrew – the “trains” don’t run on 220 or 110 volts, house wiring in the USA is 110 and Europe 220 – 240. All except Marklin DC locos run on 12 -14 volts DC (Direct Current) which is rectified/transformed from the higher voltage. DCC locos run on 15 – 18 volts (AC?). OGauge run on 24 -32 volts AC and/or DC. In all cases the electricity for USA locations is 110v and Europe 220-240v so make sure the transformer you use can accept hat and then run any loco from any country to your hearts content. Marklin is the ugly duckling, and runs on AC rather than DC out of the controller, but still be aware of your country’s power input source values and purchase accordingly. Joel – Sorry mate but that is BS, I run Australian, American, German and Czechoslovakian manufactured locos and they all run just fine on Peco track controlled by a bog standard “toy train” transformer/controller units.

By: Dean C Kaul

Dean C Kaul — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 02:47:58 +0000

In reply to Sheldon Clark. Agreed, you cannot move “power supplies” between Europe and the US. I bought Hornby Zero 1 equipment long ago and had to have the input power converted to work on US mains.

By: Frank B

Frank B — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 02:12:53 +0000

The posts about the mains voltages are mistaken. Locos in N scale do NOT run on mains voltage !

The practical difference is that there will be different transformers to reduce the mains 250V AC (UK & Europe) or 120V AC (USA) to the low voltage (up to 12 V for DC) used on the track.

US & European N scale is 1:160, and the UK N scale is 1:148, but all N scale track is identical 9mm gauge. UK, European and US track may have different fine details such as sleeper spacing, etc, but all the locos will run on the same track at the same voltages.

All standard DCC locos will operate from the same DCC control systems.

By: Alfred

Alfred — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:41:03 +0000

As long as you purchase the same scale locos (and rolling stock) you shouldn’t have any problem. N scale track is “nine millimeter”s between the rails. “N” stands for “9mm”. In the US (and most other countries), N Scale is 1:160. In the UK I think it is, N Scale is 1:148 – the models are just a little bigger, but the track and wheel gauge is still 9mm. Track voltage, I.e., DCC/DC, Is the same, so the Locos and accessories will work fine. But the line voltage for your power packs will HAVE to be 220 or as stated above, you’ll have to use step-down transformer(s) for any 110v equipment you might have. If your layout is already in place, the Locos will be fine.

By: Kevin Ching

Kevin Ching — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:34:21 +0000

Hi Paul there is no difference in the two rail system the only difference is with Marklin they run on a 3 rail system. However saying that as long as the operating voltage is the same i.e. 12 volys they wil run there is a difference in the mains voltage as others have said US runs 110 volts here in new Zealand we run 240 volts and proviiding the controller is right for each country and it gives 12 volt DC then they will operate even with DCC as long as the operating voltage is the same . IF you are in the US use one with the 110 volt mains power if in other country use one that uses their mains voltage and you will not have any problems I have US engines and have had no problem and others that run Hornby etc do not have any problems either. we have one club layout running DCC that uses continental, US and UK locos on the same track.

By: Fergy

Fergy — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 01:15:46 +0000

track is track,but the UK transformer is the differences ,220 v, v”s 110 v , use a step down unit