Total Newbie switch wiring question

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone. Sorry if this has been asked before, but my search of the forum didn't turn up any answers...

I am wiring a single block single cab HO layout. All Atlas Code 83 track and switches.

I would like to avoid running 11 sets of 3 wires back to my switch controllers (all are the standard atlas push button type remotes). I have 7 switche controls connected up in one line with the spade connectors and 4 more connected up in another line with the spade connectors. I read someplace that the center terminal on the remotes is for the common? If that is true, can I then run jumpers between all the center lugs on the switch controls and then one wire out under the table to a terminal block and connect the appropriate lead from the switch machines to the terminal block?

Is this even worth the time to do? Is there a better way to avoid a whole mess of wires running up to my control table?

Thanks in advance for your advice - I've really gotten a lot of good knowledge from this forum and hope to one day be able to contribute something back.

[rrinker]

Yes, you can connect the common center wire together at some convenient point under the layout and then run one wire back to the panel. Some of the Arlas books even show this.
Where you have two turnouts together, such as a crossover, where it doesn't make sense to control each one individually, you can connect the two together and run just one set of wires back to the control, and use only one button to work both.

--Randy

[cwclark]

anytime you build a model railroad, be prepared to do lots of wiring ..if you are using atlas momentary push button slide switches you're better off to run all three wires to the turnout machine (you can run the middle wire as a common, but that means that you still have to run a middle wire to each and every middle wire to the turnout coil on the layout.and bridge all of the turnout control switches...it gets real confusing)..if you add an atlas relay to control panel lighting and searchlight targets then you can get by with running a common but it's a different wiring circuit with an entirely different function than what controls the atlas turnout control machine and the relay...how about doing this...go to home depot or radio shack and purchase some 18 -22 gauge three or four strand wire ..that way all three wires are bundled in one sleeve and then you have the three wires right there after you run them from the slide switch to the turnout control machine...(I like to find my friendly neighborhood telephone repair man..he usually carries such wire and most of them are willing to give up a few 100 ft. or so..) if you send me your e-mail, i'll send you some drawings of wiring schematics that may be helpful to you...chuck

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick response and advice guys! I'm ready to crawl under the layout with wire strippers, terminal blocks, screwdriver and wires in hand!