I have bought a layout that must have been a work of art. The owner didn't know anything about it. It has semi-fores, relays, light cells, rail contact switches, and the list could go on forever. I believe there are also horns and whistles under the table. The wiring goes on and on. Most is cut and hanging. The layout itself is beautifully done. I hope to incorporate it with my KATO 3 X 8 layout. Is there a publication that I can get all these accessories and lights identified? This is beyond simple wiring. I am carefully taking it apart and I can reassemble it in due time if I can find out what I've got. I'd appreciate any help.
I doubt you will find a book that relates directly to your issue. This will not be plug and play. Are there LED's or light bulbs, 12 volt light bulbs, 1.5 volt light bulbs.
First, make sure you have a multimeter for resistance and continuity checks to see what wires go where. You can pickup inexpensive multimeter's for $10.00 or less that will do the job. I have three of these digital multimeter's.
Develop a plan. Take pictures if necessary and post them here depending on what you are working on at the time, switch tracks, signals. Etc.
You can find a lot of info on the 'Net but it sounds like this will take quite a lot of time but I would consider it a learning experience.
This could turn into quite a thread depending on what you have in this layout. Sounds quite interesting.
Post a couple pictures of what you have right now. Use Photo Bucket if you have not posted pictures to the forum before. The pictures might help in identifying different items. Remember, a picture is worth at least a thousand words.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Hi! Welcome to the Forum!
Is this an HO layout or N scale? Having "horns and whistles" under the table and your mention of the signals and accessories makes me wonder if its American Flyer or Lionel?
If its HO or N, the wiring is all custom done, and you will not find a book explaining it per se. For Lionel and Flyer, there are books on how to wire all the accessories and such.
Again, assuming its HO or N, I would remove all the stuff connected to cut wires. Hopefully that will leave you with track wiring and perhaps turnout control wiring. That should be fairly easy to check out, depending on size and quality of the wiring of course. By the way, how big is this thing?
In any case, I would concentrate on getting the tracks powered up first, and leave all the other stuff for later.
Also - got to say this - you may find its more trouble than its worth, and may want to salvage stuff off it and start over.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Oy! sounds like you inherited a mess!
There may be books that will tell you how to wire the accessories you mention, but to tell you which hanging wire goes where is another matter.
You could go through the process with a multi meter to try and figure out what wire goes where, but may be best bet is to start all over and rewire yourself. may save you time and agravation.
You didn't specify is it HO or N? Or O? Wnnting to incorporate with your Kato layout I would venture to say N?
there are years of ideas, thoughts, opinions and experience here and if you posted pics of what you are talking about it can help!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
If the semaphores have moveable targets (flags) and a hollow shaft chances are they were moved by tortoises under the layout.
It could be wired up to support DC (most likely) or DCC. Sometimes the two wiring schemes are not compatible. (I'm sure that will raise a few eyebrows)
I would cut away all the wires, but I would at least leave 3" of wire that's connected to devices. (Iike horns, lights and such.)
The best help we can give you is if you post a photo of the module. We can suggest to where to drop feeders and such.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
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In addition to scale and photos it might be nice to know where you are located. Might be someone nearby willing to drop by and give a hand. We're a friendly, helpful bunch. Also a name would be nice so we know to whom we are answering.
Good luck with the 'new' layout.
Dave
From Mt Pleasant, Utah, the home of the Hill Valley and Thistle Railroad where the Buffalo still roam and a Droid runs the trains