It is impossible to visit a model railway show and not be impressed, inspired or even a little envious at some of the...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
Where is the best location to base my model railway on?Read more -
Can I use enamel-based paints in an airbrush?Read moreEnamel-based paints can be used in an airbrush but they need more specialised equipment and techniques to use. Enamel...
-
What are 'desktop' model aircraft?Read moreDesktop model aircraft are ornamental models usually constructed to 1:72 scale, made from diecast and often take...
-
How do I fit a decoder to a DCC ready model?Read moreThe very first time you have to fit a decoder to a DCC ready locomotive can be a little daunting. But worry not,...
-
What is the most popular historical era for model railway layouts in the UK?Read moreWhen it comes to historical eras for model railway layouts in the UK, there are several popular choices. However, one...
What is an EMU?
EMU stands for Electric Multiple Unit and is a type of passenger train where most or all of the carriages has its own electric motor negating the need for a regular locomotive to provide traction.
EMUs have been around since the late 1800s and have played an important role on the railway network ever since. Compared to traditional locomotive-hauled consists, EMUs are lighter, less polluting, have a simpler motor, are more reliable due to multiple motors per consist, offer operational flexibility as train lengths can be tweaked by adding more or removing additional units and do not require a locomotive to run around the coaches at a terminus thanks to a driving cab located at each end saving on time and infrastructure.
EMU types vary tremendously, the most obvious difference is between those that draw an AC power supply from cables suspended above the tracks (known as catenary) and those that draw a DC power supply from an electrified rail (known as the third rail) placed next to the regular tracks.
Another difference between EMUs is the number of motors they have with some designs opting for more but less powerful motors attached to most bogies while some of the more powerful high-speed EMUs feature larger motors but less of them and often have unpowered trailing cars as part of their consist.
Although EMUs have never been of real interest to rail enthusiasts due to their lack of ability to please many of the human senses, they are here to stay and are significantly growing in numbers thanks to their operational, speed, environmental and cost advantages meaning many railways and governments around the world are placing them high on their priority list. This is sad to see for a lot of railfans and begs the question will the humble rail enthusiast die out along with the very pleasing sound, smells and visual splendour of traditional steam and diesel locomotives.
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
12 Pairs of 1956 - 68 style Coaching Stock...
Price: £ 7.4012 Pairs of 1956 - 68 style Coaching Stock Crests (Also used on some Locos &...
Hornby R3162 Class 401 2-car EMU 2-BIL '2134'...
Price: £ 95.10Hornby R3162 Class 401 2-car EMU 2-BIL '2134' train pack DCC ready 00 gauge used
Related posts
-
What scale is Hornby?Hornby model railways are OO Scale or 1/76th that is 4 millimetres to the foot (12 inches). It runs on a track with... - How to weight my model so it does not tip?For wargaming figures, a small coin or washer glued to the under side of the base will usually to do the job. This...
- Is Bachmann compatible with Hornby?Yes, any OO scale loco, wagon or coach will work on any OO scale track, regardless of brand. Couplings are also...
- What are the model railway eras?According to Bachmann, as it states in their catalogue there are 9 eras. As they say in their catalogue this is not...
- Can a "DCC ready" train be used on analogue?Yes, you can use a DCC ready train on your analogue layout. DCC ready just means that the train has been factory...