I keep seeing the advertisement for “Wiring Your Toy Train Layout” book. Does anyone recommend this? If not, is there a better book? I’m new to the hobby, specifically interested in automatic 2-train control on a single track with siding, plus other gereral wiring topics.
thx, Don
You and me both, Don! Keep looking at that ad and wondering if I should get it. Hoping
you get some good replies.
Hi Guys,
As a disclaimer, I obviously work for the company that printed the book, but I don’t have a direct financial interest (i.e. royalties) in selling the title.
A few years back Pete Riddle wrote three books on wiring Lionel layouts. Vol. 1 was basic, Vol. 2 was intermediate, and Vol. 3 was advanced wiring. It was all in black & white.
From my rummaging through the book, it covers most of what hobbyists would need to know, short of specific questions about their specific layouts… The chapters are 1) Understanding and using electricity 2) Wiring a simple layout 3) Expanding a layout 4) Organizing a control panel 5) Voluntary track accessories (such as activator track sections) 6) Premium track products (such as special track sections by GarGraves 7) Voluntary trackside accessories (such as coal loaders) 8) Automatic accessories (such as the gateman or grade crossing signals) 9) Automatic train control (blocks), and 10) Common problems with circuits. There are also appendix, glossary, and a sources and references section. It also discusses track selection (tubular and RealTrax) as well as installation of TMCC or DCS.
Most of the photos are color and many of the diagrams have color codes for ease of understanding.
BTW the most common wiring question we get in the office is about basic block wiring and Riddle covers it very well.
I have Mr. Riddle’s books and I highly recommend them. They got me started in the right direction when I started in the hobby about six years ago. I’m a “reformed” HO modeler, and knew nothing about O gauge wiring. Riddle’s books answers about all the questions you will have for a conventional control layout.
I am new to the hobby as well and I have read volumes 1 and 2. I would check out your local library first – mine had both. Volume 1 is pretty basic (how to hook up a layout.) I loved volume 2 so much I bought it (found a used one on amazon.com). Volume 2 has some really neat stuff including automatically controlling accessories using just the track and wiring. I would definitely recommend them.
Thanks everyone. I just order the book last night through Amazon for $13.97.
Me too! Thanks for the replies and thanks for asking the question!