Running a British locomotive on North American power?

[Far Side of the World]

I've heard mixed answers on this subject. From the British side, I've heard 'yes you can' and from the North American side, I've heard "no you can't". The difference is that the electricity/voltage is different from Britain compared to America/Canada (I believe that America runs lower voltage (120V) compared to Britain (240V), I could be wrong though). I know that this is a North American model railroad forum so you guys might not know what the answer is. I was just wondering if anyone knew here?

 

[Andy LNWR]

You should have no problem at all with the locomotives on the track as the actual voltage fed into the motor and electronics from the rails is fairly standard on the various scales across the world.
The only difficulty would be using a throttle/transformer/controller designed for 220-240v that you might have.
Perhaps it might be helpful if you give an indication of the scale you would use and whether you are using dc, dcc or ac. The manufacturers name and age of the locomotive would also be helpful, as some of the older models may make it tricky to convert to DCC.
Andy

 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

If you use an American power pack I don't see a problem. I had no trouble running a couple of European made locos that I bought in Germany. I ran them with nothing but US power packs. In Germany I used a US made power pack on a step down transformer and once back in the states I just plugged it into a wall socket. The only difference was they ran a little slower in Europe due to the 50hz current.

 

[Selector]

IF the motors are rated for a certain voltage, then they would work on that voltage on the far side of the Moon. Instead, it is the transformer that must step-down whatever it is fed to what the locomotive can safely use that is the bottleneck in your quest. If you were to place a British loco on US tracks, with a US transformer, it would work just fine. If you attempted to operate the British transformer on US voltage, I don't believe it would work well at all.

 

[Far Side of the World]

IF the motors are rated for a certain voltage, then they would work on that voltage on the far side of the Moon. Instead, it is the transformer that must step-down whatever it is fed to what the locomotive can safely use that is the bottleneck in your quest. If you were to place a British loco on US tracks, with a US transformer, it would work just fine. If you attempted to operate the British transformer on US voltage, I don't believe it would work well at all.

I would plan to have an American transformer powering a British loco.

 

[Ronzzr11]

I would plan to have an American transformer powering a British loco.

In that case, you will be ok.
Ron

 

[Far Side of the World]

In that case, you will be ok.
Ron

If not, it's only money that I've wasted. Money isn't important, right?

 

[Diesel-Electric]

There should not be a problem whatsoever as long as the voltage output and amperage from the power pack (I assume DC/analog/standard/traditional power) is what the locomotive, be it American/British/whatever does not exceed what the locomotive is designed for which is generally variable DC current from 0-12V and 1.5 or so amps.

I've been using my American model trains with American power packs (1 from a Life-like starter set and a MRC Tech-4 200 which I got recently) for 15 years now in Sri-lanka (voltage 220-240V) using a step down transformer.

I've also powered the track with a universal power pack (input 240VAC) output selectable 1.5, 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, 12VDC when my step down transformer busted, till I got a replacement with no problems to my knowledge.

I speak for DC operation as I have no experience with DCC.


Diesel-Electric.