I was 6 in 1971 and beyond playing with the one I got for Christmas I didn't experience anything beyond the scope of my bedroom floor regarding model trains, track, scenery, buildings, improvements, especially the ins and outs of electronics and how they worked.
It wasn't until I was 49 and my grandson was born that I took even a modest interest in the hobby that exploded out of nowhere. Since then I have become very interested in how all this works and what makes them tick. Until 2017 I had no idea fastrack, MTH, Lion Chief, DCS, and other types of transformers beyond my little black box with the silver lever hooked to thin green wires even existed. Thanks to the internet, ebay, a keen interest in the hobby, and all of you I have become competent.
I appreciate any and all information regarding transformers, wiring, wire sizes, how engines work, amperages, volts, the list goes on. Thanks to the O gauge forum as a hole, I have learned many things that have helped me solve problems. The reason I write this is to clarify to the forum that I am 53 years old but barely out of diapers when it comes to model trains, how they work, why they work, and what I can do to make them work more effectively and efficiently. So please, when you explain to me what I need to do to fix my problem, use examples and keep in mind, I'm not that experienced where it comes to this hobby. I saw this in a movie. Some people were sitting around a table talking about something difficult and hard to understand and were having it explained to them by a man who knew his stuff and assumed everyone in the room knew it like he did. Finally a member of the group chimed in and said, "Ok, for expediencies sake, let's pretend that none of us have a clue what you are talking about." He stopped, stared at the man for a second or two, then changed his approach. "It's like when you have...……" I need that approach.
So I understand what you are trying to tell me when you say use this size wire rather than that size, but when you were 6 and saw a model train work just fine using tiny thin green wire hooked to a tiny black box plugged into the wall and when you shoved the silver lever all the way to the right it went so fast it jumped the track, it's hard to understand why your newer GP20 which is supposed to be better because it can go forward or backward without flipping a switch and is hooked to what is supposed to be a better transformer and stronger wire, chatters along like a confused turtle and stops for no discernable reason over and over again. But, now that I know about chopping and transformers that use circuits and not coiled wire, and that mixing chemicals can be counter productive, I fixed my problem.
So for the record I didn't grow up with model trains, I fell into them. I like them, I like railroads, I want to know anything about both that anyone is willing to tell me. I have questions. Thanks again for any and all information you have given me.
John
