beginner:how to connect wires

[jpoc220]

I'm fairly new at the model railroad craze, although I've been interested in it my entire life. My initial Lionel set came with open 3-rail track with a clip-on for wiring. Pretty easy. I lately began constructing a 4x16 layout and have run into a snag. I purchased MTH track with the track bed already attached, and I can't figure how to wire my Lionel 80 watt transformer to the track. I was going to call the shop where I bought the track but thought since I'm new to The Gauge I'd throw the question out here. Thanks for your help.

 

[60103]

I don't have MTH track, but my wife's set has the Lionel Fastrack. On this, each section has a set of metal connectors (male) going down from the rail underneath the raodbed. The connections are made with female connectors. Lionel sells a terminal section with the wires attached, but any section can be hooked up this way.
Hope MTH has something similar.
As far as I can see, none of these fancy new tracks are compatible with the others.

 

[wjstix]

I'd try a websearch on MTH / Mike's Train House, pretty sure they have a website which would have the info on their products.

 

[RioGrande]

In HO, you can buy rail joiners with wires soldered to them - then you can simply attach them to your track in the usual way and run the wires to your power pack. And if you aren't afraid of a soldering iron, you can simply solder wire to the bottom of rail joiners and viola!