COVER STORY

Handbook on layout
WIRING O
f all the questions fielded by the staff of Classic Toy Trains, inquiries
regarding layout wiring top the list. While you might expect numerous ques-
tions regarding complex techniques or new technologies, CTT editors report
that most of the wiring issues they address involve basic principles of electricity –
the stuff that Ben Franklin played with when he flew his kite.
In response to these inquiries, an article to help explain some basic electrical
principles, practices, and commonly used products is in order. The insights I’ve
What every toy train operator needs included here aren’t intended to address command control and other digital
to know about basic electrical technologies. However, if you can’t seem to figure out why your locomotive sparks
when it moves from one loop of track to another, or you’ve accumulated an
principles and practices indistinguishable mass of wires under your layout, one or more of my suggestions
by Ray L. Plummer will prove to be helpful. Let’s begin at the source.

1 TRANSFORMERS
Lionel modern no.
Lionel postwar no.
CW-80 transformer
KW transformer

American Flyer postwar

no. 8B transformer

The three-rail O gauge toy trains them, that can easily be connected to This ground terminal is used in con-
sold in the United States are intended the track and various accessories. At junction with all the other terminals
to run on approximately 5 to 20 volts least one will have a variable-voltage and is supposed to be connected to
of 60-cycle alternating current (AC). capability, controlled by the throttle, the outside rails of three-rail track. Yes,
This is reduced from the standard 115- to modify the speed of the train. Oth- the train will still run if you reverse the
volt house current by a transformer. ers may provide constant fixed volt- wire connections, but this distinction
Layouts controlled with a There have been many styles and con- ages for lights and accessories. is important if you want to build a
conventional transformer figurations over the years, but they all On transformers with more than large layout without headaches.
are still as popular and do essentially the same thing. In fact, two terminals, one is usually desig- The variable-voltage terminal rep-
practical as ever. The basic many transformers that were made a nated as the “ground”, or “return”, side resents the “hot” side of the circuit. It
electrical principles of this half-century ago are still in service. of the circuit. Lionel often, but not should be connected to the center rail.
setup haven’t changed They are durable appliances. always, used the letter “U” to indicate The fixed-voltage terminals are also
since their origin, but you All transformers have two or more this terminal. Gilbert/American Flyer hot and work in conjunction with the
may find it helpful to taps or binding-post terminals on used “Base Post.” ground terminal.
refresh your understand-
ing of how things work. September 2007 • classictoytrains.com 37
Photo by William Zuback
 2 USING A COMMON GROUND 4 WIRING
Bigger is indeed better. Just as a large
water pipe can handle more gallons
per minute than a small one, heavy
wire has greater current-carrying
capacity than the thin stuff. Despite
Track lockon the temptation, this isn’t the place to
skimp on quality in deference to price.
The idea is to have wire with more
current-carrying capacity than you’ll
need. Since some power is wasted by
the resistance inherent in tinplate
track, you don’t want to lose any more
through the wires leading up to it.
Common Whether you use solid or stranded
ground wire is not as important as having a
heavy enough gauge. Consider 12 or
14 gauge for bus wires (see no. 6
Illuminated platform
below). The minimum for track feeders
is 16 or 18 gauge. For short runs to
lamps and accessories, 20 gauge is
Common ground adequate. Avoid anything smaller.
Purchase an array of different col-
ored wires from a hardware store, auto
When using more than one trans- The common ground can make lay- of them route their way back to the parts store, or home center. Consistent Hardware stores carry solid or stranded wire in a vast array of sizes and colors.
former on a layout, it’s recommended out wiring easier and less expensive, power source without interfering with color-coding of circuits makes trouble-
that the ground terminals on all of because you’ll need to string only one each other. shooting and repair much easier. Pick run on 20 volts at 2 or 3 amps, it’s wise from overheating, or pitted by exces-
them be connected for convenience ground wire instead of two. Track, a particular color for a certain applica- to buy heavy-duty toggles designed sive arcing. Install good toggle
and efficiency. Larger transformers – lights, and accessories all can use this tion and stick with it. to carry household power loads of 115 switches, and they’ll still be working
those with more than one throttle – common ground return. The same theory holds for toggle volts at 10 or more amps. If you skimp long after you’ve retired.
are connected this way internally. This It doesn’t matter how many circuits switches –particularly those used in here, underrated toggle switches can
is known as a “common ground.” share the same common ground, as all track circuits. Even though most trains easily become overloaded, warped

3 PHASING TRANSFORMERS 5 MAKING CONNECTIONS

voltage terminal on the first trans- Take a trip through an electrical sup-
former to a similar terminal on the sec- ply store and you will be confronted
ond. If the transformers are in phase, with a dizzying array of barrier strips,
nothing will happen or you will see a wire nuts, lugs, and fasteners that are
Ground tiny no-big-deal spark as the wire intended to be clipped, crimped,
touches the terminal. twisted, screwed, snapped, or stuffed
If you get a good spark, quite similar into place, with the purpose of making
to a locomotive derailment spark, the wiring jobs quick and easy. Some actu-
line cord plug on one of the transform- ally do accomplish that mission.
ers must be reversed in the wall outlet. It depends on personal preference.
Test again to make sure there is no While a couple of the CTT editors just
spark or, at most, a tiny spark. love all of these plastic-and-metal con-
Repeat this operation with all of the nectors, I prefer making solder con-
transformers until they are in phase nections. They are permanent and
with each other. It’s a good idea to use impervious to oxidation. Learning
Illustrations by Kellie Jaeger an outlet strip with an on/off switch so how to solder has served me well over
each of the transformer cords can the years, and I highly recommend
When two or more transformers are they must be put into phase with each remain permanently plugged in the acquiring the skill. There is literally
used on a layout, they must be in other or a short circuit will occur. correct way. nothing among those quick and easy
“phase” with each other. Newer power The process is really quite simple. wiring aids that can’t be duplicated or
sources – those with the three- First, wire all of the ground terminals surpassed with a 100-watt soldering
pronged “grounded” or two-pronged together. If your transformer doesn’t gun and a spool of rosin-core solder. I
“one way” plugs – are wired to be in have a designated ground wire or ter- won’t mention the difference in cost.
phase by the manufacturer. However, minal, pick one.
older transformers – those with identi- Next, turn the throttles up, and There are as many ways to connect wires as there are types of wires to connect.
cal-size plug prongs – were not, so touch a wire from the hot variable-

38 Classic Toy Trains • September 2007 September 2007 • classictoytrains.com 39

 6 CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR MULTIPLE-TRAIN OPERATION 7 BUS WIRES
On a conventional-control layout, the Bus wires provide full power to all
two systems most widely used are points on larger layouts. Think of them
“block control” and “cab control.” Block as extensions of the transformer termi- C
control involves only one transformer. nals, hence the heavy-gauge wire used B
The track layout is divided into insu- 4 to create a run. A
lated electric segments, or blocks, Bus wires usually run around the
using plastic insulating pins in the perimeter or down the middle of a lay- E E
center rails. Each block has its own on/ out, thereby allowing for splicing rela-
D D
off (single-pole single-throw or SPST) 3 tively short runs from the bus wires to
toggle switch. The operator keeps track and accessories.
trains from running into each other by Using several fixed-voltage buses E G
manipulating the current – turning it can be helpful. We find that 14 to 16 E
1 2 F
off and on – to avoid mishaps. volts works for most accessories, and
With cab control there are two or 18 to 20 volts works well for Lionel G
more transformers (or one transformer track switch motors.
with two throttle handles) known as Having a common ground bus can A 151 Semaphore E 71 Lamp Posts
cabs, which can be operated by two or also be handy. That way, transformers B 133 Illuminated Station F 145 Automatic Gateman (fixed-voltage
more people. The layout is divided around the layout can be connected C 455 Oil Derrick G 252 Crossing Gate post on transformer)
D O-22 Switches (fixed voltage)
into the same type of insulated blocks, to it instead of each other.
but each block is connected to all the 1 2 3 4
cabs through separate single-pole Trans- Single-pole
double-throw, or SPDT, toggle
switches in each cab. Throw the switch
to the left and cab no. 1 controls the
former single-throw
toggle switches 8 AN ALTERNATIVE CONTROL SYSTEM
block, throw it to the right and cab no. My favorite control system is the
2 controls the block. The cabs are elec- embodiment of simplicity and econ-
trically identical and autonomous, Block control requires only one transformer omy. It’s a variation on conventional 4
each capable of running the entire lay- block control that uses a battery of
out. As a result, the engineer behind small transformers, one for each block,
each cab is able to take his or her train instead of one large transformer and a
over the whole layout simply by ener- 4 series of toggle switches. 3
gizing the appropriate blocks with With it, each block has its own indi-
toggle switches as the train moves vidual speed control, whistle control,
throughout the layout. and reversing button.
Each transformer powers one block 1 2
3
SPST and SPDT – of track, nothing more. Other small
what’s in a name? transformers can be used for acces-
sory circuits and other electrical
Single-pole single-throw and 1 2 requirements. Besides the versatility
SPST are the technical terms this system offers, the dollar savings
used to describe a simple on/off can be substantial. Small transformers,
toggle switch. those rated at 100 watts or less, aren’t
The single pole double-throw highly prized by operators or dealers, 1 2 3 4
and SDPT designations mean so often they can be obtained at very
that one terminal contact (the reasonable prices. Transformers
single-pole part) is connected to

9 CONVERTING TO COMMAND CONTROL

either of two other terminals
(hence, double-throw), depend- 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
ing on which way the toggle Trans- Trans-
switch is thrown. former former
Cab A Cab B You can convert to command control When you convert to the new sys-
at any time. If you eventually plan to tem, all you have to do is turn all the
use one of the electronic control sys- toggles to the “on” position or to the
Cab control requires two or more transformers tems, such as Lionel’s TrainMaster same cab and then hook up the com-
Command Control or MTH’s Digital mand-control components as
Command System, you’ll discover that directed. The old system remains as a
dividing your layout into blocks makes backup to operate locomotives with-
good sense anyway. out command-control circuit boards.
With each block having its own
feeder wire, the voltage drop in larger Adding a command-control system is
layouts will be minimized. It also easiest when you’ve already divided
makes troubleshooting easier. your layout into electrical blocks.

40 Classic Toy Trains • September 2007