HO Train Locomotives

HO scale model train locomotives are availble in a vast array of styles, road names and types. No matter what era or geographic location you want to model in your model train layout, you should be able to find a locomotive to complement the layout.

Steam locomotives were in use in the United States until the 1950's and are well represented in the offerings of HO scale train manufacturers. Diesels were developed in the 1940's and can be found in just about every road name that ever ran. If you can't find what you want, it is possible to purchase unpainted bodies and decorate them any way you wish.

The locomotives which come with an HO scale train set are usually of a lesser quality. When searching for a replacement it pays to look for something a little better. Good locomotives will feature all wheel drive and will be weighted, giving the locomotive the ability to pull more cars without slipping on the rails. A model train locomotive should be able to pull around fifty cars, about the same number a real locomotive can pull.

New locomotives in HO scale will be DCC ready. DCC (Digital Command Control) is a method of controlling your trains by remote controll. Many older locomotives can be adapted to this modern way of controlling the trains on your layout. All you will need to do on these locomotives is plug in a decoder, set it on the track and you are ready to go.

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