Garden railroad electrical/electricity questions and answers Is it safe to power your trains outdoors? Will I get electrocuted? It’s completely safe to run track power outdoors! Our trains, like those in the smaller scales, run on low-voltage DC, usually 18-24V. Thus, it is perfectly safe to run your trains outdoors, even in the rain or […]
In this layout wiring walk-through, MRVP’s Ben Lake shares his approach to completing the wiring for the trackwork, block detection system, and planned signal installations. Ben’s technical explanations will help prepare you for the next bold step into MRVP Tech — computer control! […]
In this final installment of our O gauge City Terminal & Transfer Railway series, Kent and Bob jump to the task of selecting and connecting a power supply needed to power the trains and accessories. But before all focus turns to the trains, David returns to add a finishing touch to the scenery and recap […]
With the scenery in place on our O gauge CT&T layout, Kent and Bob turn their attention to adding the structures that will give the Big City an urban/industrial appearance. Follow along to see how the guys wire up the illuminated structures from Menards, MTH, and Woodland Scenics! […]
In this episode of MRVP Tech, David Popp dives into adding a DCC sound decoder to a Bachmann steam locomotive. Although the OO scale model of a British shunting engine isn’t a typical MRVP subject, Dave show it’s a perfect candidate for demonstrating how to fit a few Soundtraxx products into rather tight quarters! David […]
If the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions “Arduino” is a new Italian restaurant, then MRVP’s Gerry Leone is definitely here to help. In this video (part 1 of 2), Gerry first explains what an Arduino is, and then he clarifies how they’re primed to make an impact on your model railroad! […]
In part 2 of this MRVP mini-series, Gerry Leone is back with more helpful insights and instruction for working with an Arduino. This episode covers exactly how Gerry wired and programmed the animated lighting along the Mill Creek main streets. […]
Vacation is over, so it’s time for host David Popp to head back to the basement and his Olympia Logging Co. On30 layout! First, he addresses questions and comments that arrived while he was away this summer. He then works to add DCC functionality to an old steam locomotive. Plus, you’ll also see a quick […]
Installing bus wiring is the next task for MRVP’s Ben Lake to tackle. After that, Ben shows how to wire the Digitrax components used to form the circuit-based detection system on our N scale Canadian Canyons layout. […]
Having trouble viewing this video? Please visit our Video FAQ page The track, wiring, and electronics are finally in place for the lower (hidden) level of our Canadian Canyons N scale layout! In this video, David raises his game to build the benchwork for the upper (visible) level of the layout. The first order […]
Ben Lake’s staging yard turnout control project efforts on the N scale Canadian Canyons layout culminate with the wiring and installation of a pushbutton control panel. […]
In this installment of our Canadian Canyons N scale project layout series, MRVP’s Ben Lake lends his Digital Command Control (DCC) expertise to the effort of connecting the staging yard turnouts to a stationary decoder. Follow along as Ben shares his techniques for installing, wiring, and programming Digitrax components used to activate the previously installed […]
