I’m posting John’s question below for two reasons.
Firstly, it made me laugh out loud. I feel his pain.
And secondly, it struck a chord with me because he’s keen to solve the problem for his son.
So have a look below.
Any takers?
“Hey Al,
I have asked quite a few fellow model railroaders, hobby shop owners, and book store owners. I get the same answer from them. The question is about basic wiring on my HO scale model layout. I just want a simple answer. The answers are way too complicated.
I.E. – If I want to know how to fish trout in basic terms I’d expect a simple answer to get me interested and wanting to know more. I would expect the answer to be:
1.) You need a fishing pole
2.) You need fishing line
3.) You need a hook
4.) You need a worm for bait
5.) Tie the fishing line to the pole
6.) Tie the other end of the fishing line to the hook
7.) Put the worm on the end of the hook
8.) Find a stream with trout
9.) Go upstream and then let go of the fishing line
10.) Hang on to the fishing pole and let the stream carry the hook and worm to the trout
11.) Don’t let go of the fishing pole
12.) Every now a then give the bait a little snag to attract the trout
13.) Let the trout bite the bait and get hooked
14.) Put your pole down on the ground
15.) Start grabbing the line to retrieve the trout
16.) With the trout out of the water, grab the trout by the mouth watching you don’t get hooked
17.) Unhook the hook
18.) Hold you fish to show it off
The answers I got wasn’t anything I was looking for. I got questions instead do you have any LED lights?, how many engines do you have?, where is your roundhouse?, are you using DCC? and other amazing questions. I was asking the question!
All I wanted to know was how do you wire a railroad track that I want to use more than 2 engines.
I am now 41 years old and involved with model railroads, more than ever, since I was 4 years old. I been involved with a couple of RR clubs but they only wanted to do scenery and benchwork, never doing anything with wiring.
I have blown 4 power packs (controllers) so far. I also have read 4 books on wiring. The only thing I am getting out of them is that 1 rail is positive and 1 rail should be negative. I an extremely detailed in scenery and benchwork which is why the RR clubs put me in there.
I went to college for web and graphic design but I am a Certified Nurse Aide now. I think the controllers blew when I flipped the engine on the switch to different tracks. I am just lost.
Is there anything you could send me (by email) to get this wiring issue under control.
I don’t want to have a bunch of separate lines running on different tracks. Or PLEASE make a YouTube video on basic wiring. Simple wiring for 3 (or more tracks) that can run 2 or more engines.
I have a an 11 year old son who wants me to figure this out. I want this knowledge to make him feel proud.
Right now, he is only building cars, scenery, and playing with the figures.
I really don’t want to blow any more controllers. I really think you can help me because I subscribe to your newsletter. Thank you for reading this and hopefully replying.
Sincerely,
John”
“Hi Al , just made this video showing lights and a smoking Loco , also near the end shows how things go wrong on my layout, as happens no doubt with many.
Regards
Dave”
Another cracking video from Dangerous Dave.
We all learn the hard way, except for those that take the plunge with the Beginner’s Guide.
Heading off to ebay? Here’s the latest ebay cheat sheet.
That’s all this time. Please keep ’em coming.
Best
Al
