Wiring Your Toy Train Layout Paperback – October 1, 2012

You can't go wrong following Riddle's instructions. If you are just starting with an O gauge, want to expand your layout, or add in accessories this is THE reference book. Especially valuable of you are branching out into the larger gauge from HO gauge. HO uses direct current while toy trains use alternating current, so wiring requirements sometimes don't translate across.The language is easy to understand, with little electrical or electronic jargon. The guide is terrific for troubleshooting problems.

Great purchase, loads of information

This book provides the basics of everything you need to know about 3-rail train wiring. Especially helpful is the section on wiring blocks, hooking up and phasing multiple transformers, and wiring accessories.Note 1: This covers AC wiring. There are other books that cover 2-rail DC wiring (there are differences!)Note 2: For the toy train newbie. If the book cover contains the text "Classic Toy Trains" it's primary concern is 3-rail and O or S scale. If the text says "Model Railroader", it's primary concern is 2-rail HO and N scale. This is good to know so that you don't spend your money on books that are not applicable to your layout.

I received this book in a box along with a few other items I ordered. The box arrived in a few days. When I opened it the paperback version cover was badly bent and looked in poor shape. I blame the person who packaged the book and failed to safely secure it from possible damage. In this case I kept the book but could have easily returned it. I am happy with the books contents.

This is a great resource for wiring a Lionel train layout. It was well explained and great drawings. I found it very useful for building "control blocks" in our superstreets layout. I recommend this for anyone getting started or getting more involved with model railroading. It is simple to understand and very easy to read.

A good resource tool. Very helpful and easy to read. A must for wiring a layout.

Bought it never read it , but if I need back up I have , feels good

Author is a brilliant model train-man, quite obviously. But a more basic approach would have been appreciated, as I had absolutely no wiring or electrical background. For instance, a step-by-step pictorial description of HOW TO ATTACH A FEEDER WIRE TO A BUS WIRE would have been most welcome. Of course, a non- soldering approach would have been the easiest with which to start, for example. I just didn't have the background (or the smarts) to understand much of which the author wrote or diagrammed. Basics in the beginning pages, however, were very useful.