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A GUIDE TO MODEL TRAIN CIRCUITS

August 07, 2019 1 Comment

What is a Circuit?

“An electronic circuit is composed of individual electronic components, such as resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes, connected by conductive wires or traces through which electric current can flow.” - Wikipedia

An electric circuit is also described as a pathway of wires that electrons can go through. There is a power source, such as a battery, that gives the circuit voltage and makes the electrons move. When the electrons hit the device at the end, it turns it on. Oftentimes in model railways these are house lights or traffic lights.

What are Circuits Used For in Model Railroads?

Common ways in which circuits are used in model railroad is as the model train power supply for things such as:

Building lights
Crosswalks
Traffic Lights
Giving a fire the essence that it is burning
And more!

How to Set Up Circuits for Your Model Railway

TrainLife provides plug and play circuits that make setting up your train electronics super easy!

At TrainLife you can find the following circuit options for your model railway:

Antenna Circuits

This circuit provides your antennas with a strobing white light during the day and a red light during the night.

This video shows what this circuit can do, and the instructions for setup are easy to follow too!

Simulated Fire Circuit

This circuit creates the appearance of a burning campfire or an unfortunate building fire.

The instructions for installation of this circuit are here at TrainLife.

Crossing Signal Circuit

This circuit runs the flashing crossing signal when a train is approaching. The signal control uses photoelectric cells to automatically detect a train’s presence.

Random Lighting Circuit

Use this circuit to light up different parts of your railway. It can work up to 6 LEDs and can light up individual windows within a building.

See this circuit in action via the video below, and discover just how easy it is to install here.

Traffic Lights Circuit

Control your traffic lights with a circuit! Have the lights change from green to yellow to red.

See this circuit in action in the video below, and find out just how easy it is to install by reading the instructions on our site.

Traffic Light & Crossing Circuit

This circuit controls traffic lights on roads that parallel railroad track, so that passing trains will trigger a change from green to red at intersections that cross the tracks.

We hope this helps you get started with Model Train Circuits so that you can bring your model railway to life even more!