I'm in the process of building my first layout, actually my first 3x4' section of my first layout. It's been slow going as I have two little kids and a lot of other distractions. But, I'm slowly but surely laying track and roadbed and I'm worried that I'll spend all this time getting that set up, and then when I wire it up, the trains won't run because of something I did wrong. Have any of you guys ever done that? Spent weeks/days laying track only to find that trains won't run on it? I'll go bonkers if that happens! It has me so nervous, I debated switching to Bachmann EZ Track to help eliminate some of the worry.
Mike
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
This may not be very easy on your ears (sorry), but you can lay any configuration of track and get it to work as long as you can figure out the trouble spots where you need the odd gap and individual feeders. That is all it takes, some judiciously placed gaps and the feeders to get beyond them. But, Mr. B. is dead on. Laying a chunk, powering it, testing with all your engines (ideally), and then laying the next bit is the way to go. It tends to make the first trouble spot that much easier to figure out and to identify.
MisterBeasley wrote:I would run a set of wires from the first section of track I laid down and connect them up to my power pack or DCC system. Put a locomotive on it, and run it up and down the track. As you add new trackwork, continue running the engine until you're done. As long as it runs, you're fine. If it doesn't run, take a look at the last thing you did - that's probably going to be the problem.
This is the system I have always used, and am using now on a rather complex layout that will ultimately fill my 2-car garage.
One other thing. If your wiring is any more complex than a simple loop with two wires from power supply to rails, document everything. Make schematics showing which poles of which switches (or turnout contact sets) connect to what. Mark your wires and terminals, and write up what the markings mean. Then keep everything in a file folder or binder, for use when troubleshooting.
Trust me - for any layout that is in use for a while, troubleshooting will be when, not if.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with fully documented electricals)
The main thing is: don't freak yourself out.
Take your time and follow some of the good advice that has already been posted.
I still don't really understand electricity (and really nobody does) but I have trains that run, turnouts that throw in groups, buildings that light sequentially, working block signals, traffic lights, animation and other crazy electric stuff on my layout. I even have a flashlight that sticks to my forehead.
Just relax and enjoy -- it's a hobby!
Craig
DMW
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
That's pretty much what I do, except I test continuity with a multimeter before I connect it to the bus. Then I test it connected to the bus. THEN I run something powered and DCC on it.
Then I move on to the next block...
By testing each block as it is wired, If it doesn't work, you know where to look for the problem.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
go to a electronic store and get a bunch of alligator contact with wires attached to it. Easiest way to hook up power and ceck along. That way if theres an issue you can move the power source and located trouble spot ( i.e: bad joint , bad connection etc..) a lot faster. But what was said earlier is still the best way to go about. Go at it systematically and with logic. use 2 color wire for your wiring, more color for accessories/turnout motor etc... write down things and make sure all your connection are properly soldered, then taped to prevent bare wire touching
hope this helps