MrMuffin of MrMuffin'sTrains discusses laying & wiring track

[@jimconnelly816]

I like your straight forward instructions! No unnecessary procedures,

[@keithgray5525]

These are great videos!

[@pony053]

Thanks for the DCS info.....I NOW understand a couple of glitches I 've encountered. I bought all my MTH stuff from you folks...I'm in Louisville...a fun drive to see some fantastic trains...and some great advise from everyone there!

[@larrymoore6640]

Very interesting. I like the idea that you draw out the different wiring diagrams and how break it down.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Glad you liked it!

[@67stingray1]

Job well done. Very helpful Mr. McMuffin.

[@danbills7073]

Thank you very much Steve. I am building my first big layout - 13' x 32'. You are answering so many of the questions I have. Love to see more on building layout infrastructure (supports and top).

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Glad to help

[@RonLego]

Just found your videos after reading your posts on OGR for quite some time. Very informative and understandable. Thank you. I will now have to go back and watch all of your videos.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Great to hear!

[@Zipidy2Da]

I've been away from the hobby for a while and your video was most informative!

[@williamkaczmarek3996]

Thanks. This is the first video that explained how DCC works that I could understand. Right now, all I have is 1 Lion Chief 2.0 with Bluetooth and the rest (3) are all post war conventional transformer driven engines.

[@bobstrains8525]

Great run. Enjoyed watching your trains. I appreciate your reference to God. Keep up the good work. God is good. PTL.

[@OGaugeCNR]

Great video, truly enjoy your layout, I’m currently in the process of wiring my 26x29 o scale layout and you taught me a few things. Thank you

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Thank you

[@OGaugeCNR]

Could you post a layout walk around? I’d love to see how big your layout truly is

[@realtoytrains]

This is GOLD!! Thank you for posting this.

[@luis_ayala_134]

Your video was very helpful. I really enjoy your videos.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Glad you like them!

[@robertwestreicher1924]

Holy smokes thank you so much 🙏 for video. Helps so so so much.

[@billimbriale8535]

Great explanations. Prefect level of detail.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Glad you think so!

[@rickjeronimus3337]

I just love your video. You are very easy for me to listen to. Thanks, Rick. Ps may your drops fall short of the floor.

[@NHseacoast]

Well done Steve aka Mr. Muffin. The track layout design video would be helpful. I have room For maybe 081,72 ,63. Your layout is gigantic! Your wiring ideas are simple & enlightening I always thought 3 rail was easier to wire, I’m not a fan of to many blocks.

[@crowznest438]

Thank you for such a detailed explanation!

[@mdphotography100]

Thank you for so much information. I’m learning about wiring and this is so helpful

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vincentvanpaepeghem4844]

Great video! I'm just getting started in the hobby. Using Atlas track. Lots of great information. Thanks for sharing!

[@joewinings1247]

Wiring. Some good tips. Love the Atlas track for the most for real look.

[@gstephengoss1]

Wish I had known Atlas was a better track. But unfortunately invested in Lionel fastrack two years ago. When I setup the other room will do. It with Atlas track. If goes well maybe sell fastrack. How good are Atlas turnouts compared to Lionel turnouts? .

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

They're very good, but quite different....

[@rennethjarrett4580]

Many years ago on my first huge train set up I used Gargraves. On the whole base of the layout it had one layer of waffle wall cardboard and then one more under the track ties as kind of a raised ballast. I held it to the table plywood with pan head screws. So on the Gargraves wood tie track I would push two ties tight enough to have the screw threads fit through but not the pan head top, and that worked well, no drilling required.. I also think the Industrial Rail track will mate with Gargraves very well too.

[@DunbarLandFarms]

Hey Steve, This is a great instructional video which will improve my layout for running MTH. I called Jeff today and discussed with him a few minutes. I really miss you guys and your layout since we moved to KY and now about 5 hours away instead of about 45 minutes. Will plan on getting up sometime next Spring. Btw, I love the MTH TIU with the Wi-Fi set up that I purchased from you about 3 years ago. Thanks again. Paul

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Thanks, Paul....

[@johnebert8326]

Very much enjoyed re-watching this video ! I'm getting ready to expand my layout from a 6x8 table to a U-shape room about 28x18 using Lionel Super-O and Atlas O-72 switches for one line.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

That will be a terrific project - good luck!

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

This was extremely helpful!

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Thank you

[@ILSRWY4]

I wire all three sides to my switches too... been doing it for years esp with MTH realtracks. I solder wire right to the side of the rails..

[@xstugee]

What a fantastic site....so happy I found you. I have a semi-loaded question that I hope you can answer for me. I am 72 years old and would love to FINALLY bring my hope of operating an O Guage RR to fruition....Is it a little late and most importantly can I have someone build it for me as I would like, not overly detailed but something that runs smoothly and is interesting? Even if I just wanted to have the track and framework, is that something that builders like yourself would take on...THANKS.

[@larnnnz]

such an informative video,i learned so much thankyou

[@slottekninker]

Marry Christmas from Limhamn Sweden 🇸🇪

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Thank you

[@stevenbullock9276]

Very informative. Thank you

[@rabbitholerailroad]

How many loops can a mth z 4000 run I have a 8x16 layout with 3 loops

[@diazhector1029]

Hi Mr Muffin Ièm from Canada and I have a problem with my HO loco is not respondin to control I put it in the trach but nothing happend, so what I could do to activated .Ièm using a E-Z bachmann control.

[@ericfigge8539]

Thank you 🚂

[@patrickmcdonald8428]

How do you connect the down wire or the drive wire to the track? I understand all the other stuff but you’re not sure how to connect it to the track with the wire going up to the train board to the track. Please explain how pat

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

What track system are you using?

[@patrickmcdonald8428]

O gauge thank you pat

[@pancake2662]

I solve my signal interference from static ground in room tunnel issues and low-pass issues by using telephone polls an electromagnet wires for telephone lines and ground that to a ground plug into the wall. One neutral wire for the whole layout. Saying ground for what kids can understand but in the real world it's really saying neutral. So you can also use structures such as bridges that come with metal plates in the bottom you can ground those plates that helps. Between the styrene in the mountains you can put large tunnel I put a 4 x 6 sheet of metal and grounded that and that worked really well. I don't have any MTH quipment I did not wire my layout in a star I just ran one common ground. Just like you would be wiring a house a house has one common neutral

[@gstephengoss1]

Hope you will give more examples on running wires.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

I will do that....

[@Lawrence-n1z]

Thanks so much for your reply

[@Art-p1m]

What gauge wire did you use from the large terminal blocks to the small terminal blocks (gray jacketed pair of black and red wires)?

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

@@Art-p1m 16 gauge, twisted….. you can use 14 but don’t need too…..

[@allanmartinez1190]

Mr Muffin Sir, Do you solder your track sections together? Can you tell me the advantage and disadvantage soldering track sections together? and lastly how far apart should the track sections be soldered? Please. Thank you for your time Sincerely Allan Martinez

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

@@allanmartinez1190 nope. Bad plan.

[@denisesnyder1946]

Outstanding

[@TheSalsy1]

I am new to the hobby and considering my first layout. I want to use mainly DCS and Legacy. Does the STAR wiring technique work ok with the Lionel Legacy control system? Thank-you! You have great videos and a great web site.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Yes, legacy works with really any wiring configuration. Just be sure you tie all the grounds together.

[@TheSalsy1]

Thank-you.

[@trainguy4861]

Enjoy your video's, I am in the process of building a Lionel tubular track layout again. I was wondering what gauge wire to use, not sure if I am going to get into Legacy trains, I only have one, but all of my engines are tinplate, thank you.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

I use 14 gauge stranded; if not more than 20 by 20, 16 gauge would be okay....

[@plunkervillerr1529]

As a electrician , with low voltage I would use 14/2 or 14/3 romex with runs to each connection .

[@elwoodhewitt6832]

Hi Mr. muffin just moved my train layout well three years ago from New York State down eastern North Carolina. I want to try and set it back up in a 12 x 28 shed which give me about 10 x 26 area what style of electric do you recommend the drop down system not sure what it’s called but what with a Main Loop and drop downs or separate lines every 6 feet or sell. Thank you sir.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

I think 4-5 drops per loop would be plenty - doesn't need to be every 6 feet.... take a pair of wires from each drop down back to the central point terminal block. What we are trying to do is maintain roughly the same length out and back - the signals go out on the center rail and come back on the common....

[@yvesduranceau123]

Excellent video. LOts of usefull info. Thanks. When is the video on track planning coming up ?

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Very soon!

[@tomryan943]

OK, thanks! I should have listened to the entire video first!

[@edwarddillon6016]

IJust found my answer. Thank you

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Good...

[@mamanbear1]

Excellent

[@stevenmoody4531]

I just ran my trains for the first time this weekend and learned that the newer PH 180 has a pin in the cable that needs to push in for it to work. The adapter cable that I purchased didn’t push the pin in and so it wouldn’t work. The cable would work fine on the older Lionel PH 180 transformer. Not sure if the newer adapter cables to the MTH TIU are set up to solve this issue.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

I will have to look into that - glad you resolved it.

[@stevenmoody4531]

@@MrMuffinsTrains there was a great thread on O gauge forum with a person having this same issue and so it helped me solve mine. Interesting situation and just wondering if others may have had the same experience. Lionel should just manufacture a plug that would work for MTH even though it’s their competition.

[@allanmartinez1190]

Hello Mr Muffin, My future layout will consist of both postwar and modern day trains hopefully running at the same time. I've heard many different railroaders tell me different things and now I'm even more confused. What is the best track system to go with to run both conventional and high-tech (TMCC & up) that includes turnouts? Thank you for your time Sincerely Allan Martinez

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

@@allanmartinez1190 I like atlas the best. Fastrack is too loud. Gargraves with Ross is good. Harder to install.

[@allanmartinez1190]

Sir, I understand that you have like atlas but do you run any postwar lionel trains on your atlas tracks? I'm afraid that the shoes on the bottom of my postwar cars will always derail when I go over a switch. This happened to me a few years ago when I was a member of a O-Gauge Train Club. They told me that everytime I run my postwar trains on there layout and since the club layout has a lot of switches 9 out of 10 times no matter how slow I move on the Layout when the car goes over the switches it derails because the shoe under the car catches the switch and the car is off the tracks. Can you suggest anything for me Please? Thank you for your time Sincerely Allan Martinez

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

I don't run any postwar....

[@chanous1]

Hi Mr Muffin . Do you know if it was dangerous or not to operate an WEAVER locomotive with sound with an MRC 0 / 27 270 watts AH-101 -B ??? Thank you in advance for any kind of tips .

[@Trainman0401]

This video was extremely helpful and I thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. Question.. what gauge wire do you recommend for your larger layouts and should it be stranded or solid core? Thanks again Mr. Muffin!

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

We use 14 gauge stranded wire - easier to work with - here's what we sell at the shop: mrmuffinstrains.com/products/wire-14-gauge-2-strand-price-per-foot

[@billfergusonpastor674]

Will any of my 1946 - 1952 3 rail trains run on any modern track? Of course it would have to be three rail. Is 3 rail still made? Will my antique track work with any of thee modern track? I have an antique O gage system.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Yes, they will... lots of choices in three rail track today, and most have connectors to connect with the older tubular track.

[@edwarddillon6016]

I just ordered some MTH ScalTrax. Are you familiar with the best way to power this track type.

[@paulgallichio6876]

The star method works the best and you can even put tmcc to the negative side of block and you got your tmcc and your dcs all hooked up in one 😀 👍

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Very true....

[@tomryan943]

How far apart is each block in the layout??

[@Paul-gy7dn]

Wherever you need power throughout your layout.

[@delawarehudson2069]

Hello Mr. Muffin, you mentioned you attach 3 wires to all 3 rails on your Atlas switches. Do you tie together the 2 black wires (_) underneath the switch?

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Actually, not all three..... the blacks aren't that important.... the center rails for sure - that's where the issues occur....

[@451gibby]

Sonny- Sent you “Mr Muffins Model Train Podcast” link..Show it to Aiden and Micha, if you can keep their attention long enough…lol..this train guru has a 60ft x 40ft home layout!! Unbelievable!! Let me know if you got this PM from me? GibbyGoDaddy ❤

[@benweers8306]

great info here i currently have a table built and track plan and trying to figure out wiring on the star wiring can you use your drop wire all the way to the terminal? or should i drop it to a terminal then to the mail mth terminal?

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Yes, that would work fine, dropping the wires from the track and running all the way to the main terminal block

[@baxter3998]

Can you combine fastrack with gargraves track without special wiring just using an adapter track section.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Yes.... should work fine...

[@stevenmoody4531]

Could you do a video on where you insulate and feed wires for blocks around switches? What’s the best way to feed power around switches?

[@mrmuffinstrains7837]

Yes. If you feel you need to insulate one or more tracks after a switch, don’t do it right at the switch, but a track piece or so down the line. The wires built into the switch are a very small gauge and can get burned through so that the power doesn’t make it all the way through the switch. To avoid having to remove the switch to replace or repair it, I drop power leads at all three points on the switch and tie them together with the power or common source. That way, I know there’s power everywhere.

[@stevenmoody4531]

@@mrmuffinstrains7837 and this doesn’t degrade the DCS signal too much?

[@billfergusonpastor674]

Will my 1948 and 1952 O scale set run on modern systems. I even have the old transformer but don't remember if it works. Will the modeern transformers work with these antique trains?

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Yes, they will....

[@phillipsakalik4877]

Really enjoy these videos! I’ve been in O scale most of my life and still learned a lot of things! Keep them coming! One question, just curious: why did you choose Gargraves for the layout extension as opposed to Atlas? Were you just looking to showcase both track systems?

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Yes - the guys that own Ross Custom Switches are friends - so wanted to give their products a try. Good to show off both.

[@plunkervillerr1529]

I love blue berry corn muffins

[@Lawrence-n1z]

MRMUFFIN, How do you isolate atlas track to run two trains, one around loop while other is in isolated siding? Thanks

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Atlas O makes a clear plastic track joiner to connect the center rail to insolate it.....

[@jsgtrains3176]

Really informative and would like to see more. Your website lists out 2 PH-180s one in stk and a preorder listed as 10 amp. Are both unites 10 amp?

[@jsgtrains3176]

I see there is a 10 amp and 7 amp versions. What is the pro or con with either unit?

[@tomholz9928]

Where is your store? Thanks for this very informative and interesting video!

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Atlanta, IN - near Indianapolis

[@glogan9082]

Tom, definitely worth the trip. Been several times. Muffins have a large layout, store with lots of trains and a nice little diner with great food and even greater desserts.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

@@glogan9082 Thank you

[@westy44cal]

So it is possible to run MTH system and legacy system in tandem? In the final part of the video that is what I gathered. Just run a wire from the ground side terminal block from each loop to your legacy unit and you are good to go ? Thanks for the great video

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Yes, exactly..... we were doing it today......

[@westy44cal]

Thank you so much for the fast reply! I'm just beginning to read about the modern ways to control trains. I haven't had a layout since early 90's and n gauge. Really love the o gauge though. Thanks again and really am enjoying your videos!

[@tonyarsenault4256]

I'm surprised Gargraves doesn't make better rail pin to deliver power. These pins are notorious for breaking at the flimsy solder joint.

[@evileyeball]

Hello, As someone currently Living Vicariously via Youtub train people due to space / time / money concerns I Have been making a file on my computer with Future Layout design ideas. My question for you (Since I am not currently married to any given scale) is do you know any companies currently producing Canadian Steam at O? I've seen some at HO but not really at O. The trains I would want to run on any future layout would be all Steam, and all Canadian (and all currently surviving locos)so I've been asking around as my googole fu is not successful.

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

MTH has offered several steam engines in Canadian roads.... check out eBay and save a search - they will email you when one gets listed....

[@evileyeball]

@@MrMuffinsTrains cool yeah I should add some eBay saved searches for what I want and who knows maybe a deal will come my way. Thanks for the idea

[@dennisskinner2339]

I want to order your homemade connector's to hookup to the lionel brick. Please leave link or site location. Thanks

[@Mike-pj1kv]

The muffin man doesn't make muffins. He makes model trains!

[@dominicdelaurentis1574]

I am going to be ordering a Christmas diesel engine from u soon

[@paultrains2116]

MR MCMUFFIN I GOT CONFUSED WATCHING I GUESS I.....ARE YOU RELATED TO BIG MAC ? 🍔

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

We are cousins.... I cam up with the special sauce

[@451gibby]

Mr Muffins Trains

[@thomasschoon9451]

Legacy so much easier than DCS . Why Cant MTH make there engines run on Legacy or like Lionel Legacy?

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

Once you get DCS working, it works great. If we an help, let us know.

[@benweers8306]

@@MrMuffinsTrains you can run mth with legacy cant you ? in conventional mode correct?

[@MrMuffinsTrains]

@@benweers8306 - yes, they can run conventionally....

[@michaelpontone4897]

Very complicated for a starter enthisiast!! Could have been a more simple presentation mcmuffin knows what he's talking about but we dont