Best books that tell about wiring trains and accessories!!

[lionel2]

I am looking for good books on how to wire a train layout correctly and diagrams on how each postwar lionel accessories should be wired.  If you know any books or websites that show diagrams and pictures that would help.  thanks.

[Yog-Sothoth]

Peter Riddle's book "Wiring your toy train layout" is an excellent introductory text. It doesn't show every Lionel postwar accessory - but wouldn't the instructions for those be the best place to look?

[Railroader_Sailor_SSN-760]

The book Fun With Toy Trains by Robert Schleicher (1999 Krause Publications) has a chapter on Electrical Wiring. (Chapter 7). There is additional information for wiring different setups (i.e. wiring a layout with two train operations) in other sections of the book. Very basic, but it has a lot of good ideas that I have found useful. (i.e. using boxes covered in wrapping paper to make a tunnel for a Christmas tree setup.)

Overall a good book, albeit a very basic toy train book. Amazon.com has it for $1.88 to $70.97, based on seller and condition.

Depending on what accessories, the All-Gauge Page might have the information you are looking for, there is a section that covers how pretty much all of the Marx trackside accessories are wired. I think there may be some Lionel wiring information there as well. There is a large amount of layout ideas for most gauges there, overall, one of my favourite sites. www.thortrains.net

The Lionel website has some wiring diagrams in the customer service section of the site. 

The Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel Trains 1945-1969 (Kalmbach Books) is a very good reference for wiring Postwar Accesories. I have the 7th Edition (1998) Amazon has that for $14.00 to $51.58. A very useful book that covers the operation and repair of pretty much everything Lionel made during the Postwar era. There is a lot of wiring diagrams in this book, so it may be the best point of reference that I know of.

I myself do not buy train books from Amazon, but I figured that it would be a good idea to show how much the book goes for. I buy most of my train books from Ron's Books. www.ronsbooks.com

If there is anything that you cannot find the wiring information on, there are a lot of people that are here that have a lot of knowledge and experience with toy train operation and repairs. This is defintily the right place to find out how to wire pretty much anything toy trains. I was able to fix my American Flyer 234 C&O GP-7 based upon the help I have received from this forum.

I hope that I have been of some help.

James

[kpolak]

I'll second The Greenberg's Repair and Operating Manual for Lionel Trains 1945-1969.  This has been a great help with repairs and wiring PW accessories.

I'll also second the forum members as refrence material.

Kurt

[lionel2]

I wish there was a book of all the manuals of all postwar items, like accessories, engines, transformers, and switches, etc.

[bfskinner]

Lionel2,

There is the online "Llibrary" at Olsen's Toy Train Parts website. It is an almost verbatim copy of the Lionel Service Manual by K-Line, which I understand is very similar to some of the Greenburg publications. The emphasis is on item-specific diagrams and parts for "postwar accessories, engines, transformers, and switches, etc.," but there are  "generic" sections about transformers, whistles, e-units, etc.

You can try it out online for free, and then decide whether you want to buy the book(s) that underlie it. It's got one of the best books there is, free for the trying. Or do I not understand your issue?

      http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/library.htm

Is it not what you mean? Have you not tried it? Have you tried it but are having difficulties with the website, or what?  Many parts are available from them also. IMHO it is the single most useful site in all of toy-train land as far as postwar Lionel and some prewar, and other stuff too. 

 

[A&Y Ry]

Peter Riddle's books:  Volumes I, II and III pretty much cover all the issues you are posing Lionel2,

[mpzpw3]

I would suggest Greenberg's Lionel Postwar Operating Instructions with Layout Plans (now that's a title!). It's a book containing most of the postwar instructions that came with engines, operating cars, track and accesories. I've used it often to help wire accessories and cars.

Another book was put out by K-line, that contains a lot of information on postwar Lionel wiring. I can't think of the title, but it has a white cover and was put out in the 80's. It's in storage right now. Might try a K-line search on Amazon, or perhaps someone here knows what I'm talking about (because I sure don't).

[cruikshank]

I second, third, 4th whatever it's up to on the Peter Riddel books.  I have all three.  Check E-bay or a local train show.  I paid less for all three than the list price on one of them.  Also if you do a search on all of the forums, Here, OGR, All Gauge, Model Train Forums http://www.modeltrainjournal.com/phpBB2/   etc you can probably find what you need for free, or just ask a specific question.  There is lots of good information available for free, and many people ready to help if you just ask.  Best of all find a club or another local enthusiast in your area who can help you, then you get the best of all, real hands on help.  Oh almost forgot, if your lucky enough to be able to buy a box of used CTT, MRR, OGR, etc magazines there a wealth of information in there.  Much to my Wife's chagrin I have several years worth of MRR, and a good start on OGR and CTT.  Whenever I need info on scenery, wiring, starting a new scale, etc I can usually find it. I picked up most over the years for $0.25 each.  Good luck, ask away,  Dave  Reading, PA

[GBThomas]

James, Thanks for the info on Ron's Books.  I have been looking for "Toy Train Repair Made Easy" ( see my earlier posting about my quest) and they had it.  I just ordered it.

George