What piece do I use to power an HO scale train layout without a power piece of track?

[Anonymous]

What piece do I use to power an HO scale train layout without a power piece of track, is it a conecting piece or another piece?

[wp8thsub]

You don't really need any special pieces. For typical track you can just solder wire directly to the rail. For a beginner, it might be easier if you solder the hookup wire to the side or bottom of a metal rail joiner first before sliding the joiner onto the rail. I've never used the track with attached plastic roadbed, so if that's what you're dealing with there may be some additional annoyances specific to the particular brand of track so you dont have to mangle the track in the process.

Note that experienced modelers usually use "feeders" soldered to the rails and fed through holes in the subroadbed to keep them out of sight. The soldering skills required to attach them will be helpful to learn as you progress in the hobby. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

You can also go to a hobby shop and get a pair of rail joiners that already have wires soldered to them. You just slip the joiners on the end of one track and connect the next track to them. Cost is maybe $1.50.