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Knowledge Of Model Trains
The more you know about model trains, the less chance that you’ll be taken for a ride (excuse the pun!). Some hobby shop assistants and internet model train retailers just want to sell… and others may misunderstand your needs and sell you the wrong thing for your model train set. However, in saying that, in general hobby shop staff have a wealth knowledge and are happy to share their model train ideas. Also the more research you do, the better you’ll get to know your model train scales, styles and which model train set manufacturers you prefer.
Lionel Trains 646 Steam Engine
The Lionel Trains 646 Steam Engine was introduced in 1954. It was available for five years (through 1958).
This Lionel Trains 646 Steam Engine consisted of two separate pieces: a large steamer with a “4-6-4” wheel arrangement and a 2046W streamlined-style, whistling coal tender. The engine was produced with a three-window cab and a four-window cab.
Major Rail Accidents 1995 – 1999
Model train enthusiasts get frustrated with train derailments and accidents that happen with their model train sets. Sadly, real-life train accidents are far more serious and cause tragedy and mayhem. In this series we look at some of the more serious real-life train accidents from history.
Aug. 20, 1995
Around 358 people were killed and another 344 injured when a passenger train crashed into a train that had apparantly stalled after hitting a cow in Firozabad, India.
Feb. 14, 1998
The derailment of a cargo train caused the explosions of two wagons with fuel onboard in Cameroon. 220 people died.
Nov. 26, 1998
More than 200 people were killed in the collision of two trains in India.
Aug. 2, 1999
285 people die when two express trains collide head-on in Gauhati, India.
Australian Rail System Mixed Gauge
In Queensland Australia, the rail network is narrow guage, with a standard gauge connection with Sydney. The New South Wales & Australian Capital Territory (ACT) system is standard gauge . (ACT is a small area within the borders of New South Wales set up as an independent administrative district around the federal capital Canberra).
In Western Australian the rail system is still narrow gauge and the South Australian system is broad gauge.
The Ghan train to Alice Springs in the Northern Territory went from narrow guage to standard guage in 1956 when it by passed Pichi Richi – a local preservation group still runs trains on the narrow guage section.
Scale And Gauge Of Model Train Sets
The terms scale and gauge are two of the most confused terms in the model railroad hobby. The SCALE proportion is expressed as a fraction of a real life-sized railroad. As an example, HO scale model train set is 1/87 the size of real life-sized railroads. For model trains, track GAUGE is the width between the inside running edge of the rails. For toy trains, gauge is the measurement from the center of the two outside rails.
US Leads World In Railway Mileage
Despite having only around six per cent of the world’s population, the United States has about 30 per cent of the world’s railway mileage.
The railway mileage in the United States is greater than in all of South America, Asia, Africa and Australia combined. The railway mileage of the United States is approximately 10 times that of Great Britain and 6 times that of France.
Prototype Trains vs Model Trains
Beginners to the wonderful world of model railroading often get confused with the term “prototype trains.” Generally, model train enthusiasts will refer to the real (full size) trains as prototypes. As the name implies, every train track system is a unique, one of a kind system.
This explains why the phrase ‘prototype train’ is a good description for full size trains.
If, as a model train set enthusiast, your aim is to create your own “real” system, then it’s easiest to refer to full size trains as being the prototypes.
Major Rail Accidents 1993 – 1994
Model railroaders get frustrated with derailments and accidents that happen with their model train sets. Sadly, real-life train accidents are far more serious and cause tragedy and mayhem. In this series we look at some of the more serious train accidents from history.
Jan. 30, 1993
140 people die when a train plunged into a river as the bridge collapsed in Kenya, Africa.
Sept. 6, 1994
Two trains collided in the Republic of Congo, killing more than 100 people.
September 22, 1994
A derailing train plunged into a ravine in Tolunda, Angola, killing 300. Nearly 150 people were injured.
20,000 Commuters At Largest Train Station
The world’s largest station by number of platforms is Grand Central Terminal, Park Avenue and 42nd Street, New York City, USA.
The station has 44 platforms situated on two underground levels with 41 tracks on the upper level and 26 on the lower level. Around 200,000 commuters arrive and depart on approximately 550 trains every day.
Grand Central was built over a 10 year peroid from from 1903–13 and covers 19 ha (48 acres).
Trains, Model Trains & Model Train Help
Get all the latest model railway news and views from the world of model trains. Stay up to date in the most enthralling (ok I’m biased) hobby in the world… model railroading!
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