- Comment And Contributefree Model Railway Resources Authority
- Comment And Contributefree Model Railway Resources Ltd
Background
- May 28, 2019 As railways were rarely connected they were generally used for local freight and passengers. However, industrialists soon realized that railways could make a clear profit, and in 1835-37, and 1844-48 there was such a boom in the creation of railways that ‘railway mania’ was said to have swept the country.
- We are a model railroading design and resource service specialising in computer aided control systems. We strongly believe we can help the model railroaders either do not have the time to achieve the model railway operations they dream of, and/or do not have the technical knowledge to achieve.
- 'Model Train Help is a valuble tool for any model railroader, from novice to expert. I have started my 5th different layout and am still learning. Model Train Help gave me new ideas for creating realistic scenery from roads to mountains.
Free Model Railway Resources. Have you any advice or suggestions about the resources on the website? Have you any modelling resources you would be willing to contribute to the site? Send a message here. Email. Comment. Submit. Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
'Dear Dad: One thing I want this Christmas more than anything is a Lionel Electric Train.… You ought to see the way they run! Like a million dollars. And they whistle too. Real railroad whistle signals by remote control. You can couple and uncouple cars electrically, from a distance, just by touching a button; and reverse the train or speed it up or slow it down. Please get me a Lionel, Dad. We'll have lots of fun together.'
This letter was featured in a pull-out section of the 1938 Lionel Trains catalog, leaving space for a boy to note which model number train his father should purchase. Lionel electric model trains were all the rage in 1938, had been for many years prior, and continued to be through the 1950s. Though declining in popularity since the 1960s, the trains are still manufactured and sold throughout the world today. Many adults now collect old Lionel train models, as evidenced by the number of hobby shops and collectors' shows dedicated to the product, and the thousands of members of the Train Collectors Association. Lionel is the largest manufacturer of toy trains in the world.
An electric train runs by transferring a positive current from one track rail through to the motor and then returning the current through the negative track rail. The current is then transferred to a transformer or battery, completing the circuit.
History
Joshua Lionel Cowen claimed to have embarked upon several other inventions prior to his namesake train, including the flash-light, the dry-cell battery and the motorized fan. Whether these claims were true or not is subject to dispute, but there is no argument that Cowen devised one of the first motorized trains as an ad gimmick for a New York City toy manufacturer in the early 1900s. Cowen's idea was not entirely unique; a German toy maker had featured a model electric streetcar at the Columbian World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 and a Cincinnati firm, Carlisle & Finch, came up with a similar invention in 1896. Cowen's original battery-operated invention was not a toy, however. It served solely to draw attention to the other merchandise in the toy shop window and resembled a box on wheels. The words 'Electric Express' were embossed on the sides. However, the toy shop customers began requesting the electric car as well as the other merchandise and Cowen began to market his invention.
Cowen soon upgraded his design and began to make a variety of components. In addition to steam locomotives, Pullman sleepers, baggage cars, freight cars and cabooses, he made electric trolleys as well. Trains bearing the logos of various rail lines were available, too, and railroad companies began to submit blueprints of new designs to Lionel in the hopes that he would create a model based on them and give them some free advertising. The transformer was also introduced in the early 1900s.
In 1902, Cowen produced the first of what would become his trademark train catalogs. This 16-page, black-and-white version paled in comparison to the later full-color wish books, but still served as a useful marketing tool. Catalogs and advertising were primary components of the Lionel marketing strategy and for decades the company promoted
Lionel joined the war effort in 1917, producing compasses, binnacles, and navigating equipment for the U.S. Navy. The company also offered a model war train. By the 1930s, Cowen began to re-think his decision to promote war toys, however. The post-war years were profitable for the Lionel Corporation, as the company was renamed when it was reorganized in 1918. Lionel's sales in 1920 topped $2 million. The Great Depression took its toll on the company, but the 1934 introduction of a handcar operated by Mickey and Minnie Mouse, endorsed by Cowen's friend Walt Disney, helped the company bounce back. Lionel introduced streamlined engines that year to reflect the new Burlington Zephyr and Union Pacific City of Port-land in use in the real train world. Lionel introduced remote control operation that year as well. A painstakingly accurate model of the New York Central's Hudson-type steam engine was released in 1937 in an effort to appeal to the burgeoning market among adult model railroad enthusiasts.
World War II halted the production of Lionel trains for a period as all scrap metal was directed toward the war effort, but Lionel remained secure with $5.5 million in government contracts. In order to sustain its popularity in the interim, the company released a paper model train, dubbed the 'Wartime Freight Train.' Metal trains were back, though, once the war ended and in 1957 Lionel introduced the ill-received pastel pink and blue model train for girls. Cowen retired in 1958, the company's first losing year since the Depression. Nine months later he sold the company to his grand-nephew. With the advent of airplanes, racing cars, and tele-vision, model trains dropped in popularity over the next three decades. The company has been purchased several times since Cowen first sold it and is now owned by a group of four investors, one of whom is the rock musician Neil Young, an avid model train collector. Young's interest in Lionel leadership began when he helped the company design a remote control device that could be operated by persons with handicaps affecting their grip. Young hoped to actively share his hobby with his sons, who have cerebral palsy. Since 1970, Lionel trains have been manufactured in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.
Raw Materials
The primary materials used to manufacture Lionel trains are metals such as steel, aluminum, zinc, and plastic.
The Manufacturing
Process
The various components of the Lionel train, such as engines, cabooses, boxcars, and tankers, are designed on a computer.
The engine
- 1 The Lionel steam locomotive engine is made by a process called die-casting, whereby a hot liquid metal, such as steel or zinc, is heated to 900° F (482.2° C) degrees and then shot into a highly detailed mold.
- 2 The mold is then placed in a cooling tank where it cools and hardens to form the body of the locomotive.
- 3 The locomotive body is then trimmed, cut and milled (whereby a high-speed cutter cuts off sections only thousandths of an inch thick to create flat surfaces), both by machine and by hand to form the finished locomotive engine.
- 4 The locomotive body is placed on the assembly line for painting and final assembly.
The cars
- 5 Plastic components are formed in a process called injection molding, where-by plastic pellets are melted and shot into a mold. The liquid cools and hardens into the shape of the component. Metal components other than the engine are die-cast.
- 6 The components are placed on an assembly line and sent to a drilling station, where a combination of manual and automated processes are used to attach hundreds of tiny accessories, created earlier in a process known as sub-assembly, such as ladders, headlights and handrails.
- 7 Any die cast parts undergo a process called phosphating, where the component is dipped in a phosphate solution to open up pores in the metal and allow for any paint to soak in.
- 8 The metal and plastic components are sent to the painting station where they are sprayed with paint by a machine or painted by hand. Components being painted multiple colors undergo a process called masking, where a mask-like guard is placed over areas that a certain color of paint should not reach.
- 9 At the next station, the components are affixed with lettering and logos through two different processes: hot stamping and pad printing. Hot stamping is used on flat parts and pad printing is used on raised and rounded plastic surfaces and all die-cast surfaces. Hot stamping uses a Mylar-heated rubber dye to emboss print onto the flat surfaces and pad printing uses a dye plate to etch print onto the raised, rounded and die-cast surfaces.
- 10 The engine is affixed to a chassis, which holds the motor, electrical circuitry and wheels. Each car is affixed to a non-motorized chassis that provides support and holds the wheels.
- 11 After successful completion of several quality control tests, the finished model train components are sent to a shipping area where they are packaged and prepared for shipping.
The tracks
- 12 Metal sheets are placed into a forming machine, which cuts the metal into miniature rails and ties.
- 13 The rails and ties are joined together in a hydraulic press.
- 14 After quality control inspections, the track segments are sent to a shipping area where they are packaged and prepared for shipping.
Quality Control
At the end of the assembly line, various functioning components of the train are tested, such as whistles and bells. The engine must be able to run off the line under its own power and climb a 30° incline within 5.5 seconds. Paint colors undergo quality control as well. A color spectrometer is used to ensure that all paint is the precisely right color.
The Future
Lionel train components have always reflected the times. Engines have been modeled after real trains in use during various periods in Lionel's history. Jonas blue perfect strangers mp3 download. The cars often reflect the businesses and interests of the times, from the early milk cars to military components during war times to boxcars bearing the names and logos of major businesses of different periods. It is anticipated that Lionel designs will continue to reflect contemporary society and the real-life rail-roading environment on which the Lionel train is modeled.
Where to Learn More
Books
Hollander, Ron. All Aboard!: The Story of Joshua Lionel Cowen and His Lionel Train Company. New York: Workman Publishing, 1981.
Use these FREE RESOURCES With Our Compliments:
Scale Calculators, Downloadable Train Room Signs, a Sample Model
Railroad Building ,and a Free Catalog to Keep Alongside Your Layout…
FREE CATALOG
See the full range of model railroad building plans and keep up to date with what’s new.
FREE MODEL RAILROADER CALCULATORS
Use the Scale Conversion Calculator, Scale To Scale Converter, Track Grade Calculator, Helix Design Calculator,
and Scale Speed Calculator.
17 FREE TRAIN ROOM SIGNS TO DOWNLOAD & SHARE WITH FRIENDS
These fun signs can be downloaded and printed on your home computer, and even be laminated if you
choose. They will be a great talking point in your train room next to your layout. Free to download and
share.
FREE SAMPLE PLAN
Download a plan to try out for yourself. Constructing realistic replicate model structures is a lot of fun, and
we know you will be impressed with what you construct.
FREE MODEL RAILROADING ARTICLES
This information is designed to assist hobbyists with planning, maintaining, and operating their layouts.
To get started you just need some basic tools:
- A cutting mat of some kind
- Steel ruler
- A small right-angled square
- Craft knife (replace the blade regularly as a sharp blade gives a cleaner cut)
- Glue stick (perfect for adhering paper to card)
- Clear all purpose glue (solvent free)
- Super glue or CA (perfect for the little fiddly bits)
- A pencil
- Felt tip pens (for touching up the edges and corners)
- Tweezers
- Fine sand paper (for smoothing any rough edges)
- Artist’s matt spray
- Damp cloth (To wipe the glue off your fingers)
How to Build Model Railroad Scenery – The Basics
By Guest Contributor Frank Richardson
This article will tell you all the basics that you need to know in order to start building model railroad scenery. Following are the basic steps that you need to take in order to start building your railroad:
1. The first thing you need to start with is the passion for building railroads. For this you need to fuel the fire by visiting train shows, model train shops, and friends who share your enthusiasm of designing railroad sceneries. These days there are so many resources to help the hobbist get started in model railroading.
2. Look into different gauges, brands, scales, and styles of model trains. Calculate the amount that you are willing to spend on this new found hobby. Sift through railroad magazines and websites. This will help you picture the overall look that you want to give to your railroad layout and scenery.
3. Choose the space in your house where to want to set up your railroad. Measure the space so that you can select a suitable scale to fit the space. The most common train scales are HO (USA) and OO (UK) so there are usually lots of resources and supplies available for these train scales. The next most common scale is N scale which is quite a bit smaller than HO scale or OO gauge trains. Not everyone wants to build a big railroad with lots of track filling an entire room. Also not everyone has the space or can afford a really large layout. Before you finally decide which scale you’re opting for, have a good look around the net and see what other hobbists have achieved with the various train scales.
4. Plan the railroad. This will help you in designing the scenery, backdrop, and buildings that you want to add in your design. Sketch it all out so that you can always refer back to it to measure your progress. Always keep room for future additions to your railway. My recommendation is to start off in a small way and gradually expand your layout (in modulars) over time, always allowing in advance the space to expand. It makes no sense to just keep adding onto the train track and scenery without the end result in mind.
You can look on internet and train magazines for ideas of different railroads. Wvx for mac. Select a theme around which you will build your layout.
5. The next step is to build a platform (also known as benchwork or a baseboard). You can choose plywood to build your platform because it is easier to drill and cut. Make sure that you build a sturdy platform that does not sway or bend. It also needs to be strong enough to support an incredible weight. It’s not just the weight of the trains and track, but also the weight of the scenery, structures, and even the weight of people when they lean on it. You will be amazed just how heavy a completed layout can become.
6. Start designing the scenery and backdrop as per the sketch that you have made for your layout. Place the mountains, rivers, and valleys. There are many landscaping kits available in the market that you can purchase to get help in scenery construction. Take as much time as you look like to make your scenery look as real as possible.
7. Layout the tracks before you attach them to the base of your layout. You can either glue or pin your tracks. Clip the tracks together before you secure them with glue or pins. If you are using glue then make sure that you let it set for a night. Don’t be tempted to operate your trains until the tracks are firmly in place.
Comment And Contributefree Model Railway Resources Authority
8. Once your track is in place and you have laid out the basic scenery structures like mountains and valleys, it is time to add the details. Add train stations, buildings, billboards, bridges, tunnels, people, and cars. You have the choice of making these structures from scratch or using the ones already made from the kits.
Always remember that you are trying to portray a community, farm, or countryside. So make sure that whatever you place in the layout has a reason for being placed. Avoid doing anything that does not look a part of the theme that you are trying to depict
9. You can add trees, grass, shrubs and bushes, roads, and seasonal effects to give your layout a more realistic look.
Comment And Contributefree Model Railway Resources Ltd
The most important thing to consider, before you start following the given steps, is to thoroughly research the theme that you want capture in your railway. You need to make sure that everything from the trains, to tracks, to stations, to buildings, roads, people, and advertisements should be according to the era that you plan to depict in your railroad. This will not only give your railroad a realistic feel but it will also breathe life in your overall layout. Now that you know all about how to build model railroad scenery you can start designing and experimenting with different railroads and designs. You can get track plans in books and from the internet.
There is no shortage of ideas on the internet and in model train magazines. One recommended resource is Robert Andersons Online Model Train Club which is well worth joining if you are serious about the hobby. Never stop learning otherwise life could become rather boring.
The point to always remember is the reason why you are involved with this hobby. If you are like most others, it is to enjoy yourself first and foremost. The fact that you learn so many new skills along the way, and make new friends, is an added bonus. You can also use visiting a model train show as your excuse to take a vacation or visit a town or city you have never been to before. In fact some modelers spend more time traveling the country and the world attending train shows than they do at home or at their own railroad layout. And, good on them, if that’s how they like to enjoy this short time we have on this planet.
There are free plans for paper model buildings available on the internet, but be warned, when there is no charge the quality of these paper and cardstock plans can be very poor which will make your model railroad buildings look fake. However, be assured, the 160+ paper model plans advertised for sale on this website are of the highest quality. And, to judge for yourself, you will see a link (above) for a paper model buildings free download. This free download plan of a General Store can be constructed in HO scale, N scale or in OO gauge and assembled using paper, cardstock, or corflute. The quality of the above free model railroad building plan is excellent.