From boxes to outlets to on-off switches, David has an eclectic array of electrical parts and pieces he’ll use to route power to his Olympia Logging Co. On 30 layout! He’s charged up and ready to show you his wiring scheme and installation process. […]
Modeling Topic: DCC & Wiring
Speed matching DCC locomotives for better consisting
Q: Can you provide a simple procedure for pairing locomotives in a consist? One locomotive is pulling or pushing the one in front. – Stephen J. Szypula A: An important part of making your consist work is speed-matching the locomotives so they don’t fight each other. If your locomotives respond to the same throttle speed step […]
Should sidings inside a reversing loop be their own wiring district?
Q: I’m planning a reversing loop on my layout. Must isolated sidings inside a reversing loop be part of the reversing section? Or can they be part of the main power bus? – R. John Kohlbrand A: There are three potential ways to wire up separate sidings and spurs that connect to a reversing section […]
Can I add a speaker to a decoder and run it on a DC layout?
Q: I would like to add a speaker to a decoder in my Atlas locomotive. But I plan to run it on a DC analog system. Can I still put the speaker on or can I not? – Zachary Chevalier A: There are such things as motor-only and function-only DCC decoders, so to know if yours […]
How to: Install LionChief app on your phone or tablet
Here’s how to install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet and get the most out of your Bluetooth-equipped Lionel locomotives. Years ago, there was only one way to run our toy trains, and that was with a transformer. Today, we’re fortunate to have a lot of options to control our trains, including remotes […]
Install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet
Learning to install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet is nothing to fear. Years ago, there was only one way to run our toy trains, and that was with a transformer. Today, we’re fortunate to have a lot of options to control our trains, including remotes that come with sets and smart devices […]
Install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet
Learning to install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet is nothing to fear. Years ago, there was only one way to run our toy trains, and that was with a transformer. Today, we’re fortunate to have a lot of options to control our trains, including remotes that come with sets and smart devices […]
DCC install for N scale locomotives | State Line Route Sidetrack
DCC install for n scale | As the crew nears completion of the State Line Route N scale (1:160) model railroad, it’s time to get the locomotives ready to run. In this episode, David Popp shares how to install a Train Control Systems (TCS) AMD4 DCC decoder into an N scale Atlas diesel locomotive. Follow […]
DCC Currents: Digitrax’s Quad Switch Stationary Decoder
I’ve wired a number of control panels for clubs. Control panels stick out into aisles and therefore need to be rugged. Control panels also take a good amount of time to wire. If you make a change in your track, modifying the panel to reflect the change can be difficult. I’ve always liked being able […]
An introduction to track wiring basics
There is probably no other aspect of our hobby that creates more anxiety and confusion for newcomers than wiring. When you’re starting at absolute ground zero on the learning curve it can be daunting at times. However, at the most basic level, what we’re trying to do is get electricity from a power source to […]
Track wiring for beginners
Track wiring your model railroad layout can be daunting, especially for beginners to the hobby. In order to help those looking to start, here’s a review of the bare-bones basics of wiring your layout that will help you get your trains up and running as quickly as possible. Run the wire bus roughly beneath the […]
State Line Route in N scale: Installing a DCC system, Episode 10
David installs a Digitrax Evolution Express command system on our State Line Route layout. Follow along as David guides you from installing the universal panels to modifying a throttle pocket to watching trains run on the N scale layout! […]