just starting out

[Anonymous]

hey guys im new hear im just staring out and have recently completed a 4 1/2' x 5' layout and just recieved a 5' x10' layout which only needs track laid and is operable i would like to join the 2 and am having trouble with wiring and would like to attach the smaller layout any books to look at for ideas on completly redoing both layouts into one and for the wiring and such thanks guys

[Anonymous]

Well, there are several books available that you could use. Check the book reference section of this website. I'm sure you'll find some that talk about wiring layouts, the problem is, your layout is somewhat already wired.

If your layouts have existing wiring, you're going to want to trace all of the wire to make sure you know where it goes to, so when it comes time to power it up, there won't be any deadspots due to crossed wires or missing wires. You should also take the time to write down, or draw yourself a diagram of the wiring, noting colors of wires, etc.

If you're going to start from scratch, I would use the bus wiring method whereby you run a continous length of 14 ga. wires along, and underneath, the track pattern. Drop 18ga. feeder wires from the track to the bus wire every 4 to 5 feet. This insures power to all areas of the track. Use gaps in the rails to segment portions of the track for special applications (yards, sidings, etc.).

[Anonymous]

thanks i have been looking at some differant books luckily there is no wiring yet but all roadbet is down and most of the track although it is brass and i will be replacing with silver since it is easier to keep clean i have not yet got a dcc setup yet but in the future i will be but i am using a couple differant power packs to run the layout ie one for main sidings one for each mailine and one for smaller sidings will this be a problem money is real tight right now and already was given the packs

[cwclark]

There are a lot of good publications on electical wiring for railroads...Easy model railroad wiring by andy S is a good one, How to wire your model railroad by Lynn westcott is an old one but a good one, and Atlas puts out a good wiring book also...if you send me your e-mail, i can send you diagrams of some basic circuits done on Microsoft word...Chuck

[tstage]

fastribs85,

Welcome to the forum! [:)]

Not wanting to nitpick but...a comma and period added every once in a while in your post would make it a little easier to read. (NOT a criticism, just a suggestion.) I like to refer back to statements made by the poster and the punctuation gives a nice reference point visually and makes for better conceptual clarity. (Again, just a suggestion.)

Anyhow, I have the Easy Model Railroad Wiring mentioned above and it's a good one. However, sometimes the author does move or jump ahead into the heavier things a little faster than I would like them to.

Tom

[Anonymous]

tstage
thanks for the suggestion. sometimes i have a habbit of doing that sorry.
todd