The final piece of the perfect model train puzzle should get your first consideration! Has this ever happened to you: You spend weeks getting your model railroad set up to be just right.
The time comes to run your train, you hit the button, and nothing happens...
Except for that pathetic electrical buzz coming from under the carriage of your locomotive! In a last-ditch effort to salvage your hours and hours of work, and your ego, you give the engine a little tap, and zip, zoom, zowie - it goes flying...
Right off the rails! If you are feeling the shame of recognition of a similar memory of your own, you know first hand the frustration of an under-rated locomotive.
Don't worry, you're not alone.
The best way to avoid this disaster (again) is to get a high quality locomotive from the start.
As you well know, electricity flows through the track of a model railroad.
The electricity passes through the conductive metal wheels of your engine, and to the electric motor inside.
The electric motor then powers the gears which, in turn, rotate the wheels of the locomotive engine.
If everything goes as it should, and if you selected the right engine, the train then begins to run along the track as the rolling stock is pulled along.
However if you somehow got an engine that is not quite up to snuff, the above scenario plays out.
Bad gearing or inadequate traction on the wheels will rob you of the pleasure of running a stellar model train! So this is definitely one piece of equipment you should splurge on.
What are important points to evaluate while shopping for you model train locomotive engine? First, how much metal comes in contact with the rails? Here, as you can imagine, the more contact the wheel sets have, the more electricity will be conducted to the motor, so the more the merrier! At least 2 wheel sets should have contact, but preferably more.
Next be sure the gear ratio is sufficient.
Additionally, the electrical rating of the engine should allow the engine to move with a minimal amount of electricity.
These two factors combined should allow for a smooth, steady start and a graceful stop.
Another factor to consider, and one that will help with the smoothness of the start and stop: does the motor have at least one, but preferably two, fly wheels? Next, the weight of the locomotive engine should be a perfect balance that, on the one hand, allows a secure contact to the rails, while on the other hand, is not too heavy to induce sloth-like sluggishness along as it moves along the rails.
Finally, the length of the locomotive in relation to the arc of your curves should be considered.
A shorter diesel engine will allow a smooth ride along tighter curves, while a longer steam locomotive engine will be able to take more open curves elegantly.
Your locomotive is probably one of the most important investments in your model train hobby that you will make.
Hobby shops know this, and most of them will let you take your potential purchases out for a spin on their rails.
Just ask, and they should be happy to oblige.
Show respect for their stock, of course, but really put it to the test.
Run it forward and backward.
Start off slow and smooth, and gently wind down to a stop.
And even test it by ramping up to full steam then throwing on the breaks.
Check this out several times before you buy.
Buy a quality locomotive engine, and it should be around for years taking your imagination on a journey for miles and miles.