The Eastern Cascades Model Railroad Club is planning on an expansion by installing 'G' scale on 7/10 of an acre where there currently is no electrical power available. Any suggestions as to the electrical requirements that should be given to the power company for transformer/drop to box etc.? We will be running track power for prototypical capability as we as water pumps and accessories, etc. I have been told that a 200amp line should suffice. Any different opinions?
"Track power for prototypical capability"? Do you mean overhead catenary for electric locomotives?
Considering that most G-scale trains run on DC power at a max of around 16 Volts, and may draw 2 or 3 Amps max pulling a long train uphill, 200 Amps AC should be more than what you will ever require.
Bob
You talk about water pumps and accessories. I’m thinking you are talking about having running water in riverbeds, and maybe a waterfall or two? I’m thinking 200 amp service is a bit much. My trains ran around the lake with waterfall by 1,000 gallon per hour water pump, yard and lawn lighting (2 systems of low voltage (12 volt) Malibu lights, and “London style street lamps with 4 incandesent bulbs each. All of this ran off a single 30-amp circuit with absolutely no problem at all.
Tom Trigg
The common power supplies for large scale are around 10 amps and up to 24 volts, and newer ones now are up to 15 amps.
This is approx 3 amps if you are using all the output power.
I assume ore than one power pack and multiple trains will ne running.
Also, the 200 amp service will be a 220 volt panel split phase power.
Just make sure to balance the loads on each side of the split power by having outlets added from each side for the 110 volt sockets.
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