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Modelling the North
American way
By Mike Hughes ©
Its gleaming yellow paintwork shining in the locomotive’s six axles. Then you see the feature squeal, brake hiss - all are replicated giving a
sun the big Union Pacific SD70ACe locomotive that will be the next test of your skills. Up ahead ‘real’ feel to today’s models.
sits on the tracks with its companion attached is a grade (level) crossing. You have to sound
behind. You look carefully at the number; 8387, the correct warning. Reaching for the button What’s more, all of the models operate to a
that’s the one that you will be driving today. you press “Pharrpp”, “Pharrpp”, two long blasts common standard so that any model from one
followed by “Pharp”, a short sound, and then manufacturer will operate with those made by
Although you’ve seen this done many times, a final long “Pharrpp” exactly as you cross another. Nearly all comply to a set of standards
this is the first time that you will be taking the crossing, giving the distinctive sounds,
laid down by the (American) National Model
control of these two powerful, beasts - the 4300 just as the regulations require. As you cross
Railroad Association (NMRA). Formed in 1935
horsepower workhorses of today’s ‘iron road’. the roadway the ‘ding, ding, ding, ding’ of the
the NMRA, has, over the past 74 years set the
Double checking that you have remembered crossing’s warning bells tails off behind you.
common standards that now bring reliable,
everything you’ve been taught you realise that
smooth running models running through tracks
now is the time to put it all into action. Taking So far the signals have all been green, but
that no longer derail with the least imperfection.
the controls firmly in your hand you press the the yellow light ahead warns you that there
start button. The loco’s starter motor engages is a red signal further along the line. You turn
What is the appeal of model railways?
and you hear the engine burst into life. Waiting the power to the off position but this has no
Accountants, engineers, railway workers,
for a few moments you can hear the air pumps apparent effect on such a long train. To apply
university lecturers, graphic designers, taxi
working to create enough air pressure to the brakes you reach for the brake controls.
drivers, indeed people from all walks of life are
release the brakes. Waiting for the air pressure The sound of the air passing through the
attracted to it. Planner, carpenter, electrician,
to build up you reach for the switch that turns train’s air pipes reassures you that all is well
metalworker, painter, artist, builder, project
on the safety searchlight required by Federal as you concentrate on bringing the speed of
manager, problem solver, dispatcher, driver,
Railway regulations. As you are still in the yard the train down to the medium speed required
are all rolled into one to provide the skills
area you have this on the dimmed setting. by the yellow light. Shortly after this the red
required to build and run a successful model
light comes up directly in front of you. Can
railway, whether this is on a small board or
You engage reverse gear, carefully release you judge the amount of braking required to
part of a model large enough to fill a complete
the brakes, then gently apply the power on the bring the train to a stop at the right place? Too
basement. You can do all this yourself, but it is
loco. It moves slowly. As you move toward the much brake and you will stop short and have
so much easier to do this with the help, advice,
waiting ‘double stack’ container train in its long to suffer the withering looks you know your
experience and expertise of others. That’s where
siding you turn the power control notch to the second man will give you if you have to apply
joining the NMRA helps. It not only gives you
off position. The inertia of the two locos brings power to move the train up to the right place;
free access to a multitude of detailed ‘how to’
them up to the waiting container flats and your too little brake pressure and you will pass the
reference books but, by introducing you to other
locos bump into the cars with a loud crash red signal and be relieved from duty. Making
modellers, in local groups, or at specialist Meets
as the buckeye couplings engage. You move small adjustments to the controls you only
and Conventions, lets you draw upon the wealth
forward slightly to ensure that you have made realise that you’ve been holding your breath
of experience and expertise of other members.
a tight connection. You have to wait until the air with the concentration when the train comes to
pressure builds up throughout the whole length a stop at the right place and the final sounds
of the train. With near enough one mile of train of the air brakes fades to a gentle hissing as
In the UK, the NMRA’s British Region provides
this takes some time, but finally you are ready the engine ticks over. You’ve done it. You’ve
that advice and expertise. You can find them at
to go. Keying the microphone you say “UP completed your first turn as a Train Engineer.
various model railway shows throughout the UK or
eight three eight seven ready to leave” to the
via the website www.nmrabr.org.uk. Membership
Dispatcher. “UP eight three eight seven you are The story of a North American railway
brings a number of benefits, including special
clear to Michaelsberg. Observe all signals and engineer? No, this is the story of ‘driving’ today’s
offers exclusive to NMRA members; discounted
have a good trip”. technologically advanced model railway. Those
admission to shows; specialist Meets and
of you who may have seen a ‘toy’ train in the
an annual Convention where you can meet
Now is the time for you to be really tested. past will probably be familiar with such names
friends old and new. However, it does take a
Federal Railway regulations require you to as Triang or Hornby. In the past a ‘model’ train
little while before things begin to ‘click’ and you
turn on the front safety lights to their brightest would look only approximately like the original it
realise there is more that just information that
setting when you are on the main line. Throwing was meant to represent. If you wanted to have a
is exchanged.
the switch makes them burn brightly. Another ‘proper’ model you had to be able to make many
action you’ve taken without mishap. So far, so of the parts yourself and spend many hours to
Perhaps this is best expressed in the words of
good, but now your skills at the controls will be get the desired result. That has all changed. With
the NMRA Atlantic Director, Nobby Clarke who
really tested; you gently apply the power so that the latest computer technology models can now
said: “I think you have summed up the best
when you release the brakes the ‘slack’ in the be made which not only look real but react like
benefit of membership and one that sadly does
couplings is taken up; the clicks and hisses of the real thing. Lights, sounds, inertia and much
not get mentioned that much. I believe the most
the air brakes let you know that your long train more can all be replicated.
rewarding part of membership is the lifelong
is now ready to move; you must apply a little
friendships you can make by being a member of
more power, but not too much in case you go In the past you put your ‘model’ on the track,
the NMRA it’s like having an extended family, but
too fast; you have to sound the bell attached turned the control knob one way and the loco
one that has similar interests”.
to all North American locos to warn people that would shoot off in one direction, turn the knob
the train is about to move; you must remember the other way and it would go the opposite
Interested? Contact the NMRA by e-mail
to turn it off when you’ve moved far enough way. If you wanted to run more than one train
registrar@nmrabr.org.uk; via the web site at
out of the yard area. Slowly moving through you would have to wire in power switches
www.nmrabr.org.uk or by post to The Registrar,
the yard sidings you hear the loud squeal of requiring multiple sections of often complicated
15 Harcourt Drive, Earley, Reading, Berkshire
the wheel flanges against the rails. Clearing electrical wiring. Now with Digital Command
RG6 5TL
the yard area you are now on the main line of Control (DCC) all that is required is just two
this Class 1 railroad. Green signals tell you that wires connected to each section of the track. Copyright Mike Hughes 2009
your ‘highball’ train has the highest priority and Superimposed on the alternating current (AC)
you can really turn the power up. Increasing power bus is a signal which is decoded by the taxi talk’s Mike Hughes has recently been
the power notches you hear the locomotive’s computer chip inside each loco, telling it what appointed Marketing Co-ordinator for the
generator engines increase their whine to to do. Forward, backward, lights on, lights off, National Model Railroad Association British
produce the electricity needed to power the bright, dim, steady, flashing, bell, whistle, flange Region.
38 39
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