Have the Best of Both Worlds!! Simplest Explanation EVER on Wiring Questions. 

Christie Brinkley. This is the best explanation of how to wire up a layout i have seen or read! Thanks so much Ron!! A very big help!

I’m very happy you made this video Ron! A lot of people have made countless videos on this subject for years. But I managed to understand this much better than most of those. Magazine articles only go so far into describing this process and I’ve have always been somewhat stupid with electronics and track wiring side of things. But now I have a pretty good idea of what I want to put on my module set up and tracks. I’ll need to find a good solution to breaking the track up and getting it to stay together and good electrical plugs and stuff. But I’m glad I understand this now. A layout I bought some years ago was pretty much completed and had this exact system wired on it as well as so much more like a operational turn table I absolutely loved to use, it had a balloon loop and wired reverser, and just so much on a 13 1/2’ x 6 1/2’ sized layout. I got multiple pictures of it and wished I would have been able to keep it as it was a beautiful piece. But all good things came to an end and I certainly hope the new owner really loves it still. To my understanding it was taken to Utah and finished but uncertain as I lost contact with the new owner. Again, quite an amazing video and I’m thankful for it. I’ll use it to reference back to. And another great installment I enjoy watching! Thank you so much Ron!

Hi Ron, this is Ron in Arizona. Really enjoy your videos, I just joined our local club here in Sun City West, AZ. Trying to learn as much as possible and you are my #1 guy. Keep up the good work and look forward to your next one. Adios...

Great video! Very clearly explained. Personally I use connectors under the layout because I hate soldering above my head. Nothing good can happen when the solder drops on you. LOL Looking forward to the video on the passenger car upgrades.

I’ve kinda been putting off wiring my layout. Only for two reasons. First: I’m kinda lazy, after working all day. When I get through the door at home, I usually just wanna vegatate and listen to videos and watch my locos pull some rolling stock around. Second: I’ve been trying to figure out the easiest way to wire the thing up. You have just shown me the easiest way! So, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES AND 16oz. WOOBLE POPS TO YOU! Thanks dude!

I've watched a few videos on this subject, I found yours the easiest to understand by far. Thank you!

I subscribed a couple weeks ago and I'm binge watching all your videos.These are all great. I don't even have a train set. 🤣🤣

Fantastic video, Ron. The best I have ever viewed regarding wiring up drops, DC / DCC. Your layout is coming along wonderfully. 🚂 After this video, I can re-wire my own small layout and take the County mutual aid Fire Companies off of " standby alert of an impending General Alarm Blaze." They'll be relived. 👈🤣🚒

Wonderful work. Your videos keep getting better and better!

I learn a lot watching you, I think this is my favorite channel.👍

Like your down to earth explanations of everything!.😊

That new layout is looking good! I realized I can adapt that DPDT switch for my American Flyer layout, but use it for AC or DC power, then I can run both AC or DC locomotives on the outside loop of track! With the price of copper these days, extension cords seems to be a great way to go for bus wiring.

Hey, Ron, enjoy your channel ..... always something to learn. 😎 I really like that you are not trying to show track wiring with a pencil tip soldering iron and that you are using a soldering station to control your heat. I use a 1/8" chisel; have for 40 years. The higher heat lets me get in, get hot, get soldered and get out without melting ties. KUDOS for you choice of tip!!!!! FWIW - I use "suitcase connectors" under for drop connections. No stripping, no soldering, no getting burned of ruined shirts, less than ½ the time per connection. Only "drawback" - in my experience, only one drop per connection. Also, since my layout is in a 14' x 24' room and is around the wall, I bought a mechanics creeper that folds up into a recliner position so I'm not having to scoot around the floor under the layout. And that is CHRISTIE 😜😜 you showed.

What an absolutely amazing video! I am a newcomer in the hobby. Thank you for helping me understand this so I can start my layout wiring and thank you for helping keep this hobby alive!

Hey Ron. Congratulations on your “Shout Out”! Well deserved. Nice to be recognized. Great idea repurposing the 14 gauge wire and doorbell/thermostat wire. Keeps things neat and clean. This weeks model is the beautiful Christie Brinkley!

Awesome video I've been an avid model train enthusiasts for most of my life and have always wanted to build a layout and because you simplify everything so the average person can understand I'll hopefully start building my layout thanks again for your videos

Thank you for sharing. Very nice.👍

Great video and wiring instruction. I enjoyed watching, thanks for sharing! 😀👍

Very clever! Thanks for sharing and remember, Model Railroading is Fun!

Very interesting video Ron. I’ve learned a couple of tricks watching your work. The DC and DCC schemes are very education: you made them as simple as possible. Congratulations for another great video my friend!

Very good job on this video!

Well explained. Awesome.

Nice job. That's Christy Brinkley.

Great job Ron. Lookin good.

Great video Ron! This video will definitely help a lot of people who are not sure how to wire up a layout correctly. You crack me up with your comments, love your video's!!

Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your channel - great content, excellent production values, and the humor is a real hoot. Looking forward to future videos...

Great job

Great tutorial on wiring, and I love how you put a little comedy in there to give people a chuckle too! Some of that plastic dip paint on insulation would make those connections tidy and quick.

I really like your videos...some of the most entertaining and informative videos on RU-vid!

Love the classic models. :D Congrats on the shout-out and thanks for the wiring ideas.

I like that you are soldering the feeder to the main bus. A good solder joint will last forever. Great video. Thanks for sharing these tips. Stay safe - Larry

Awesome. First video I seen of your layout. Nice job.

Fantastic sir, great job on the thoroughness for the wiring too. Also spotted quite the peach of a switcher there also. Good looking rs model also

Good video and that’s Christie Brinkley

YOU ARE THE MAN... This guy is sooooooooooooooo good at what he knows and does .. OH Man .. He tells it right out.... I love this DC wiring as its more of a challenge and is more exciting to do and achieve ...Love it and I love TYCO .. I dont care what they others say ,, Best loco I have is a MANTUA 2-8-2 Mikado .. Man that is a great simple down to earth engine with great pulling power and a simple 5 pole engine .... DC DC DC I love it

Best wiring video i have seen to get me started. Thank you.

Looks Amazing!!

Very interesting and I will apply what I have learned.

Ron you made my day.

Thank you. Helped me to decide on dcc, in addition to my exiting dc "stuff". And your repair/ maintenence videos help too.

Thanks for the outlet idea!

Great vidio and tips,subbed1

Great video! New subscriber. No regrets. Super entertaining and informative. Well done. -Mark

Great video sir👍🚂🇨🇦🇺🇲🙋

Hello from the UK, Ron. Top class video and explanation. This one really hit the spot. :-)

Nice video Ron! Thanks a heap for showing us how to do it.

Those guys with the Barbie Jeeps are nuts! I love watching that.

great vide.... helped me a bunch

Thank you. That was the easiest, and BEST explanations I've encountered. 😁🏆 Tried to super thanks, but...

Thanks for the video . Awesom. You answered all my questions in the video. Thanks great video!!!!

This a good show really enjoying it and your channel very very informative thank you

Excellent.

I only have a simple modular layout in my garage running DC. I think if you have a much more complex layout,then yes DCC would probably be best for you especially if you are running multiples and signals, crossings, lights all the bells and whistles (pun intended).

Great video. I just recently discovered your channel. I enjoy your sense of humor while presenting the topic. Well done. You have a new follower here.

Excellent

Very nice video! So helpful for me :)

You and I have the same throttles of NCE PowerCab and the powerful and mighty MRC Control Master 20! However, I use the Atlas selectors to create blocks on the layout to cut sections off. The selectors makes it easier for wiring and gives great flexibility in both analog (DC) and DCC.

Great video 👌

Excellent video with great information! Thanks for sharing

A good idea Ron, remove your Engines from the track when soldering. Just to be safe. Also, like John Banicki suggested. Do your underside wiring Before (turn your module upside down), lot easier to work on and less solder in your eye.

excelent job , wonderfull channel , congratulations

Hi Ron, just came upon your channel with this nice video and have a few comments... At 2:40 you said less than (

I use the snap together track. I like the option of rearranging things. Also, I have had luck cleaning my track with an eraser.

Nice Pink Drill, Ron,lol! Great video, Thanks for sharing!

Good stuff Ron, I'll be mostly following your lead for the wiring but no DC on mine. I've got a separate test track for that since I do pretty much the same thing you do.

Thanks for the video very helpful

Christie Brinkley classic model

Well Said and Explained Ron.

Mmm Christie, creep From NZ Whazzup Rob 😊

FYI, if you're soldering directly to the track pick up a pair of heat sink clamps, you can slap them on the rail and help protect the plastic ties from melting if you apply a bit too much heat.

Classic model Christie Brinkley!

ty

I put floors in my HO buildings. Made them stronger and you couldn't see the back door from the top floor windows. You could also do more detail inside if you wanted for the buildings that are close to the edge, so that the children can see things that look real.

I like and understand your method for DCC and DC. Total sense. My question is this: Would it make sense to divide the track into blocks by making your drops coincide with blocks using insulated rail joiners so with DC you could still run two trains? That may complicate things by adding a bunch of DPDT switches to the DC side and how it would effect the DCC switch over. Your way is super easy for one train DC and multiple trains DCC. Thanks for the video !

Christy brinkley

Neat!! Your doing well

On my N-Scale layout, I have a reversing loop of which loops around through a mine and back out again. At the beginning of this loop I have a right hand switch. The entrance to this loop from the mainline enters from the fixed end. Here is the problem. If I decide to take the right spur to go around the mine then there is no problem. All my engines do just fine with no problems. If I take the left-hand (straight ahead), portion of the switch to go to the mine and if I am running an engine of which has three-axled trucks (such as an EMD), on it there are no problems either. - But. - If I am running my two axle trucked GP-40 then going right (onto the spur), is no problem either. But, if I decide to take the left-hand (main straight ahead), and go left it immediately jumps the track and derails as it goes over the frog split (the plastic “X” part of the switch). Of all the switches upon my layout, this is the only switch I seem to have trouble with, with that GP-40. Short of replacing the whole switch, does anybody know why this happens and why only on that one particular locomotive engine. Or can they even give me a clue as to why this happens and how to cure it? - Just asking. P.S. - All my switches are manually operated by hand.

hi ron, i appreciate the idea of running dual power...i have dc now and wanted to switch, i just didnt know if it was possible without a complete rewire

Great video. cleared up a lot of confusion. Only had 1 question. I know if you are doing DC, you need to use insulated rail joiners between sections. If you are using DCC and a common power bus, do you need insulated rail joiners between sections that are connected to the common powered bus? Thanks

No DCC! I run my trains. I don't try to mimic switch yards and coupling sessions.

Christie B. model of the week

Maybe use a spdt for your power switch hooked to the 110 outlet instead of 2 spst. Double protection to keep from supplying both sources at the same time

Christie Brinkley!

nice

I enjoyed the video. Have you thought about using suitcase connectors to connect the feeds to the bus under the layout? My layout is DC and has 13 blocks and 9 switches and only 4X8 The wire is 20 gauge. I’m pretty old and I’ve been toying with adding DCC to my layout but it might be too much work for me to do a complete rewire. Do you have blocks on your layout?

I am strictly a DC guy. DCC is way too expensive for an old retired guy with a fixed income. The switch is a double pole double throw. How much does it cost to get into DCC? Great tip for repurposing wire. Since I'm a Ham radio operator, I've repurposed house wiring (Romex) for ground wires and making antennae. When I had my old layout I used insulated rail joiners for setting up blocks which were controlled by a SPST switch. That way I could isolate different sections. Are your switches DCC friendly? I used to rewire switches to get power through the points. I just wish I'd made a schematic of how I wired them. Cheers from eastern TN

Christie Brinkley

Hi Ron, I have watched a number of your videos, thank you. I'm getting ready to build my first layout (DC / DCC) and understood everything you said with the wiring, but I had only one question. You wired up the DPDT switch so either DC or DCC is supplying voltage to the tracks but in the end of the video you had two engines running at the same time, was that under DCC? Or did you have a DC and a DCC train running simultaneously? I was a little confused and maybe you cut the video in a way that led me to believe you had a DC and DCC at the same time. Also, what do you do for power to buildings and accessories? Do you run a separate independent supply and a buss for that? Also, since I'm so new, what do you power your turnouts with, the DC/DCC controller or a separate supply? Thanks

Hi Ron Would love to see you do one on how the meters work and wired in I have the same control set up ,but no meters Thanks

Do you have a switch you recommend? I have been wanting to run both DC and DCC for my son and this solves the issue.

Buss - old English term meaning to osculate (kiss) or being drunk if you are in Hawaii. Power bus is what you want on a layout. 😉

If you made a DCC layout .... Do you still need insulators after turn outs like a DC layout?

Hi..Ralphy from Brooklyn NY here... bin chekin u out...like ur "keep it simple ways".. question: when i go out to home depot looking for the dp-dt switch, shud i b making sure of a certain amperage that the switch is designed for...Watchin u has encourged me to build it..jus curious about amperage concern when buying switch...Thx Ron😎👍

I like that wire stripper, where did you get that from, and what kind of wire stripper is it exactly? I want to get one exactly like that.

Is it a problem to wire a layout with aluminum wire that is sold for cheaper at Amazon then copper wire, and could you make a video about that?

MRC Tech 6 has a mode button to switch from DC to DCC right on the base station. simple and can run 6 engines addresses 1 - 6 only. another option for someone keeping it simple

Hi Ron, I wanna hook up my control master 20 to the aristocraft walk around controller. I tried the conventional route and it doesn't work. Any tips how I could do it? Thanks I'm advance

What size solder should I use?

Thank You for such a great instructional video. But I do have a question upon my own layout of which you or somebody else might be able to answer. But it has nothing to do with what you are teaching here. It has to do with a continuous derailment problem pertaining to only one locomotive engine.. - Please see my next posted comment.

Christy Brinkley