Wiring Literature / Books

Easter blessings to you.  Some layout builders and runners have found my website helpful.  You could start here:  Toy Train Layout Wiring - Basic

OGR magazine has a lot on model trains.  There are "how to's" on wiring, accessed from the Digital Libraries Tab above.  

There are other Model Railroad publications. 

Hi TomSuperO,

Happy Easter to you, too!  Wiring your layout should be pretty easy with the proper books, proper tools, and proper techniques.  I enjoy doing wiring on my layout here at home, and also for my N-Trak club.  If you keep it simple, keep it neat, and know how to solder, you should have zero problems.

Here's a few pic's of the underneath side of one of one of our N-Trak modules, taken a decade or so ago.  What do you think of this?

Just kidding.  Needless to say, our N-Trak club, like this wiring, was a real mess before I helped clean it up! 

Funny thing is, that doesn't scare me at all.

Why? I found doing pinball/video/etc, the "neat" jobs were often the hardest to repair and return to that state.  Birds nests just meant testing rather than assuming. Once the issue is found the repair and return to service is fast and easy outside of any knots...(maybe one or two...big deal )

I only wired "pretty" inside the machines that corporate suit and ties on"patrol" would look inside for cleanliness.   It impresses the heck out "those who do not" and does little but slow you down imo..

Snagability is another story

I found this book by Peter Riddle to be invaluable building my layout. Lots of info on using relays, wiring many different accessories, blocks, and so on. It was the next best thing to having Gunrunnerjohn standing next to me.

Hello John H,

I just purchased this book 2 days ago on ebay. I am prepping for my new layout once the new house is finished so I am re-learning lots of stuff all over again.

Now I am super happy that you mentioned it especially that its like "having gunrunnerjohn next to me" in the post.

I have asked, listened to and read most of his comments since building my first layout a few years ago.

Electrical, technical, Gunrunnerjohn is the MAN..

Thanks Everyone. Appreciate the replies. I'll try that book.  Mixed Freight - I like the clean look of that wiring run and esp the 15a 110 plug next to the metal bracket. I'll aspire to do the same only with more colors.