MRVP Insider: MRVP Underground with David Popp, Episode 20 — More electrifying insights

David Popp with Gerry Leone joining virtually

Host David Popp still has plenty more to address regarding the wiring of his Olympia Logging Co. On 30 layout! So it’s a good thing that MRVP’s Gerry Leone is back (via virtual meeting) to provide a few tips while David powers up his final push to make all of the right connections. […]

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Speed matching DCC locomotives for better consisting

A trio of consisted Southern Ry. F units pull together on Larry Puckett’s HO scale railroad

Q: Can you provide a simple procedure for pairing locomotives in a consist? One locomotive is pulling or pushing the one in front. – Stephen J. Szypula A: An important part of making your consist work is speed-matching the locomotives so they don’t fight each other. If your locomotives respond to the same throttle speed step […]

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Should sidings inside a reversing loop be their own wiring district?

A section of a track plan shows a town inside a reversing loop on the end of a peninsula

Q:  I’m planning a reversing loop on my layout. Must isolated sidings inside a reversing loop be part of the reversing section? Or can they be part of the main power bus? – R. John Kohlbrand A: There are three potential ways to wire up separate sidings and spurs that connect to a reversing section […]

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How to: Install LionChief app on your phone or tablet

Install the LionChief app locomotive and device

Here’s how to install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet and get the most out of your Bluetooth-equipped Lionel locomotives. Years ago, there was only one way to run our toy trains, and that was with a transformer. Today, we’re fortunate to have a lot of options to control our trains, including remotes […]

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Install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet

Install the LionChief app all controls on the tablet interface

Learning to install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet is nothing to fear. Years ago, there was only one way to run our toy trains, and that was with a transformer. Today, we’re fortunate to have a lot of options to control our trains, including remotes that come with sets and smart devices […]

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Install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet

Install the LionChief app all controls on the tablet interface

Learning to install the LionChief app on your smartphone or tablet is nothing to fear. Years ago, there was only one way to run our toy trains, and that was with a transformer. Today, we’re fortunate to have a lot of options to control our trains, including remotes that come with sets and smart devices […]

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DCC install for N scale locomotives | State Line Route Sidetrack

Host David Popp presenting packaged DCC decoder and N scale Atlas diesel locomotive

DCC install for n scale | As the crew nears completion of the State Line Route N scale (1:160) model railroad, it’s time to get the locomotives ready to run. In this episode, David Popp shares how to install a Train Control Systems (TCS) AMD4 DCC decoder into an N scale Atlas diesel locomotive. Follow […]

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DCC Currents: Digitrax’s Quad Switch Stationary Decoder

The Digitrax Quad Switch Stationary Decoder with a ribbon cable

I’ve wired a number of control panels for clubs. Control panels stick out into aisles and therefore need to be rugged. Control panels also take a good amount of time to wire. If you make a change in your track, modifying the panel to reflect the change can be difficult. I’ve always liked being able […]

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An introduction to track wiring basics

Diagram showing the path power takes from a booster, through a bus, and to the track.

There is probably no other aspect of our hobby that creates more anxiety and confusion for newcomers than wiring. When you’re starting at absolute ground zero on the learning curve it can be daunting at times. However, at the most basic level, what we’re trying to do is get electricity from a power source to […]

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