Wiring Common Rail

[Anonymous]

Ok, my question is simple but let me give you some background info. I'm wiring a layout based off the Atlas Great Eastern Trunk layout plan. I've made some minor modifications to the plan such as added width and length to the size of the layout plus added an additional siding, etc. I'm now ready to wire. The plan also calls for a turntable which I will install.

My design for this layout is to make it moble as I've created it for my son who someday will take it with him. As such, my thoughts are to create an operator's console that can be attached and removed from the layout during moving. With single wire connections this should be no problem. However, I have muliptle places in the layout that require a common rail connection from my power supply. I'll also be using Atlas Selectors to complete the circuits for each block.

My question concering common rail is this. Given I have mutiple common rail connections that require power, do you have any suggestions as to splicing these common wires to a single wire that I would then attach to my power supply..on the removable operator's console? I'm thinking I would just use wire caps but I'm wondering if there's a cleaner option? Do they make terminal bars that would take on one side multiple wires and from the other take one?

C----------C-----------*-------------> to power supply
C----------/

Thanks in advance for any suggestions....

[mls1621]

I used terminal blocks under my layout to distribute power, one per module. Any good electrical supply store should have them in stock.

Run your main power buss to the terminal block and then on to the next. Your track feeder wires can be attached to the terminal block.

The blocks I used have 14 connections, top and bottom. Jumpers are available to connect the segments of the terminal block togther. I split mine in half, one end + the other -. Using eyelets crimped and soldered to the feeder wire, red wire for + and green for -, to attach them to the terminal block.

Between the modules, I used "keyed" plugs for power connection. This eliminates polarity changes.

Hope this give you some help.

Mike
St Louis

[Sperandeo]

Hello "goodguy,"

I have two suggestions. On my own railroad I use insulation displacement connectors – "IDCs," also called "suitcase connectors" – to connect feeder wires to common or block bus wires. I recommend the 3-M Scotchlok brand, and for me the most useful sizes are no. 558 for 18-22AWG wire, and no. 567 for 10-12AWG wire on the run side and 14-18AWG wire on the tap side. These connectors don't require wire stripping, soldering, or additional insulation, so they make the work go very fast. You get the best price by ordering by the 100s from online suppliers – I use www.mouser.com.

I've also used terminal blocks with terminal bridges along one side to tie multiple terminal pairs together. These bridges fit under the terminal screws to connect adjacent terminals, and by using a series of them you can connect as many terminal sets as you need. See Page 106 in my book, "Easy Model Railroad Wiring." I've also made "field expedient" terminal bridges by wrapping bare bus wire from screw to screw, but using the bridges is faster and neater. With screw terminals I recommed using crimp-on wire terminals, "lugs," for neat, solid connections.

Happy New Year,

Andy

[Anonymous]

Andy/Mike:

Thanks for replying.

For my layout, I'm going to use terminal buses as you mentioned with bridges. Also, I already planned using crimp-on terminal connectors to make things neater so your comments on that are reassuring.

Happy New Year to both of you. Thanks again!!!!! :)

[willy6]

WOW GOOD GUY,
YOU GOT A REPLY FROM THE MRR HEAD HONCHO......KUDOS, IF HE WOULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT, HE'D HAVE MY VOTE!

[cacole]

Based on your stated purpose of this layout, common rail wiring will probably suffice, and the use of the Scotchlock IDC or terminal blocks and crimp-on connectors is good advice. That's exactly what I use on modular layouts; however, I don't use common rail wiring. Several years ago, a friend asked me to help convert a layout from DC block control to DCC on one that had been wired for common rail, and that turned out to be a real nightmare. We eventually had to tear all of the wiring out and use two conductors throughout because the common rail wiring was causing shorts every time a locomotive tried to pass from one block to the next. The common rail wiring was not the cause of the problem as much as the track plan, which had, in effect, five turnaround loops that required polarity reversals as the train went around the layout.