Layout Wiring Tips and Tricks?

[nachoman]

I can't give you too much specific advice - but will give you general advice. First, you will hear a range of suggestions between "hook two wires to the track" and something that is extreme overkill. What you need to do for this particular layout will be determined by how many trains will be run at one time and how large the layout is. The "bus wire" system seems to be in vogue with DCC, using 14 or 16 gauge wires for the bus. This is probably overkill for most home layouts, but those wire gauges are readily available, and the difference in cost between 18 gauge and 14 gauge wire is not that much for the relatively small small layouts most of us have. It is the "better safe than sorry" advice. 14 gauge wire works great for those of us who have some leftover from a house wiring project, but it is probably extreme overkill.

One thing that is mandatory is either soldering every rail joint, or providing a set of feeders to every section of rail that isn't soldered. You absolutely cannot rely on the rail joiners to conduct power. If the layout is in a climate controlled room, you can probably solder every rail joint. If there are wide changes in temperature or humidity, you may want to make sure there are rail joints at least every 4-5 feet.

Another thing I would strongly suggest is powering the turnout frogs. I have had plenty of layouts with unpowered frogs, but powered frogs makes things run much smoother. No more hesitation over the turnouts.