Model Railway Forum

Help a novice please, I am just about ready to secure my baseboard top down. What wiring if any should or could I do before screwing it down. Could I do my bus wiring ?
Any thoughts, suggestions tips or ideas please.

Hi

Firstly I would drill a series of 15mm to 20mm dia holes in the upper portion of all internal cross braces. Keeping the drilled holes in line brace to brace. This will allow easier wiring once the top is fixed down. The drawing here shows the idea... link 1
If you're a DCC user (You mention a bus) then you could run the bus wires if wished, though having the drilled holes makes matters easier anyway.

Hi,

Based on my experience I would say that you should fit your baseboard top to the frame and secure before thinking about wiring. Once the baseboard top is fitted you can mark out your trackplan, which will give you a better idea of where you need to route any bus wires below.

In my recent build ( DCC), I marked out and loosely fitted my track and then drilled holes for my dropper wires which I then soldered to the the track........ this gave me a clear indication where to route my bus wires underneath.

Hope this helps.

I used the same method as Hound Dog but once bus and droppers located correctly I turned my baseboard on its side so I didn't have to do connections underneath whilst crawling about and banging my head.

P.S. Since extending my layout I have had to wire underneath so a woolly hat comes in useful!

Thank you Brian, I drilled all the holes in the baseboard frame as I went along as per your very good website which I am familiar with so all ready to go. I just need to learn all about the electrics now, reading and learning all the time, just looking for a good source of nice easy to understand diagrams for a beginner.

Thank you also Hound Dog.