Model trains are primarily powered by electricity that originates from a standard household supply, which is then transferred through the track to a motor inside the train.
The Power Journey
On model railways, the power delivery system is designed to get electricity safely and efficiently from your wall outlet to the moving train engine. Here's how it typically works:
- Source: Electricity comes directly from the household supply.
- Connection to Track: Wires connect this electricity to the rails. These wires often feature clips that attach to the underside of the track for easy setup, or they can be soldered directly onto the track for a more permanent connection.
- Transfer to Train: The train engine itself picks up the electricity from the rails. This is usually done via wires attached to contacts that rest on the wheels. As the wheels roll on the electrified track, the contacts pick up the current.
- Powering the Motor: The electricity gathered by the contacts and wheels is then carried through the wires inside the train to the motor. This motor uses the electrical energy to turn the gears or axles, causing the train to move along the track.
In essence, the track acts as the conductor, carrying the electricity from the power source to the train, allowing the motor to operate and the train to run.
