(Note:
See TrainPlayer CarTypes folders for examples.)
General: In general,
anything that rolls on a railroad is available for model
railroads. The choice is extensive, particularly in the popular
scales. But the Internet has made it possible for model
railroaders to find just about anything they want for sale somewhere. Locomotives: Many model
railroaders model the 1950s because both steam and diesel-electric
locomotives were in use but equipment is available for almost any
period from the origin of trains up to the present day. Model
steam engines are considerably more complicated than diesel-electric
locomotives. They require more maintenance and better trackwork
than diesel-electrics. Pure electric locomotive model using
overhead trolley wire or catenary are also available.
Freight cars: All types
are available as models from the basic boxcar to specialized ones such
as double stack container cars and ones designed to haul specific
equipment
such as large transformers.
Passenger cars: All types
are available representing all eras of railroads. Beginning model
railroaders should be careful not to run modern 85' passengers cars on
layouts without large radius curves.
Couplers: Couplers are
used to attach strings of cars and locomotives together. The
history of model railroad couplers is littered with attempts to provide
realistic looking and smooth operating units. Today just about
everyone uses realistic operating couplers called generically
"operating knuckle couplers" based on a design origimated by Kadee.
