Power to the track - electrical question

[cwclark]

I use 20 post terminal blocks...one wire from the transformer will feed one terminal block with the + wires and the other wire from the transformer will feed another terminal block with the - wires. Then I can feed wires from both terminal blocks to my block DP/ DT switches and out to the track without having to try and tie all the wires into one power pack ...I still use DC....I just love throwing all those toggle switches!...Chuck[:D]

[mcouvillion]

dentrainman,

First, are you planning to run DC or DCC? For DC, if you intend to run more than one train at a time, you would need to divide your layout into blocks, then run the block feeders to a control panel where you could select which cab (transformer) you would operate the block with. Lots of wire. If you intend to run only one train on DC, or run DCC, then run a wire pair, called a power bus, to the whole layout, and connect track feeders to the bus. One long wire pair, a bunch of short connections to the track. DCC is the most versatile, but it costs a little more initially. The difference from DC operation is HUGE.

Good Luck,

Mark C.

[tstage]

dentrainman,

The former. The feeders ought to come offf the main wire. You're right. If you did the latter, you'd end up with a real rat's nest..

Tom

[Anonymous]

Am I better off to connect my power drops from the track by splicing them into one main power feed from the transformer ? or running each track power feed individually back to the transformer ? Would seem like a lot of wire if they were each seperate feeds. Thanks