One-train operation

The basic wiring is simple- all you need are some scraps of wire and a powerpack. Attach the wires on the screw terminals marked:

"Variable DC: Track only"

and run the wires to the terminals on the track. You can buy terminal sections of track (they have screws for you to put the wires to) or you can get railjoiners with wire leads soldered to them. Place the treminal track section when you lay the track, or put the "wired joiners" in a place and drill holes beneath them. Slip the wires through the holes, and nail the track in place. Finally, connect the wires from the powerpack to the terminal or the wire leads.

Branches

Some modelers with more than 1 locomotive like to make an engine trap- or a siding electrically separated from the main line. To do this, you need another terminal track in the siding. If the track is already laid, then cut through the rail; only one of them. If not, then I recommend using a plastic rail joiner. Run a wire from the rail that was separated (cut or plastic rail joiner) to one of the poles on a SPST switch (available at stores like Radio Shack, for about $.50). Trace the rail with the separation back to the original terminal track. Find which wire feeds this rail, and run a wire from that terminal on the powerpack to the other terminal on the SPST switch. With the switch thrown in one direction, power should reach the siding. In the other position, it should not allow power in, and the locomotive will be trapped in the siding.
 Diagram: branch wiring

Cab control (two trains) Running one train is good, but why not run two? And then, why not run them both on the same track? Enter Cab-Control. Using this system, the track look is set up into blocks, or electrically isolated areas of trackage. (To isolate it electrically, use plastic rail joiners or cut the rail.) To each block, run each its own separate pair of feeder wires. Attach the feeders to the center poles on a DPDT (double pole/double throw) switch. Then attach the wires from each cab (a separate powerpack or controller) to a separate end of poles on the switch.

To operate it, you'll need a minimum of 4 blocks: a locomotive must have the one it occupies and the one ahead of it (so it won't stall when making the transition) powered. Advance the throttle on each so the trains run, and switch the switches of the block ahead of the locomotive. This means you'll have to pay close attention to when the trains cross borders between blocks.
 Diagram: cab wiring

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