Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
20 blocks on a 4x8 sounds like a heck of a lot! Are you talking about actual blocks (for control of more than one loco at a time) or feeders (getting power to the track)? If blocks for train control, you will need a whole pile (well 20) electrical switches, at least two power packs, and so on. You are probably going to need a book to make sure you get your wiring straight and avoid shorts. If you are talking about feeding power to the rails at 20 different locations, then a bus wire is your best bet. The idea is to carry as much of the power (i.e. minimize loss) to the rails as possible. This is done with large gauge wire (the bus) and SHORT sections of finer wire to connect to the rails (feeders). Bus wire is typically 12 or 14 gauge - like what you'd find in walls in your house. It runs around underneath the benchwork, approximately following your track plan. The feeders are spliced into this bus at regular intervals. The feeders are generally short (just enough to get through the landscaping and benchwork, and are often 22 ga or smaller. You could use telephone wire for this - it is cheap and plentiful. Andrew
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!