layout wire

Also checkout WesBell Electronics, I recall them being on the East Coast.

Home depot has a "bulk price" on more than one 500 foot spool. Varies by gauge, but I know its $59/roll of 12 AWG (as opposed to $62 for just one roll).

Another place to get bulk wire cheap is ebay.

Be careful buying wire on the bay. Just bought 500 feet of 14 gauge speaker for $50. The  spool was huge and label indicated 14 gauge. However, it was actually 18 ga with very thick insulation giving the appearance of 14 ga. I filed a fraud complaint and awaiting refund. I will probably order form OGR or make a Home Depot run. The bummer is that I finally had time to do some permanent wiring. Oh well, maybe next month.

Bob

I just buy bulk speaker wire at Home Depot for track and bell wire for lighting. I use thermostat wire for turnouts. I also use Phillips(brand) plug ends for my TIU plugs and terminal blocks although i think they sell generic ones now

I did too, this is very nice wire.

I would look at places like Waytekwire.com, powerwerx.com, allelectronics.com, etc.

I would also google "red black zipcord" or "red black zip wire".  You can get zip wire (multi-conductor or 2-conductor wire) in larger spools.  It will save you a lot of effort, particularly if you are doing home-run or star wiring.  Bi-color zipcord is preferable to a sheathed multi-conductor wire because you don't have to cut the sheathing.  You can easily see which wire to connect.  You can also easily split the zipcord and use suitcase connectors to attach the track feeder wires.

George

Either stranded or solid can be purchased in rolls of 500 ft. at most electrical supply stores.  Colors are a  plus.  Picture is 12 gauge wire used for a Fort Pitt  High Railer module.
Green is track common outside rails. The original three track circuits, Red, White, and Blue. The Black (4th) circuit was added later.






I also use a lot of 18 gauge thermostat wire, which can be purchase (2) conductor up to as many as (12) conductor or more.   I used a lot of (8) conductor T-stat wire for the Atlas 6924 non-derailing board installs on my layout.
Black and White are track circuits 14 guage solid single strand wire.  Brown covered cable is thermostat wire up to 8 conductor.

Track circuits control panel area.

Control circuits, control panel area.  Each wire of this wire pull was 40 ft. There are a few spare wires to be used for additional lighting circuits. (4) pcs. 160 ft of 14 ga. solid wire, (Track circuits). (7) pcs. 280 ft. 8 wire 18 ga. T-stat cable, (Switch control circuits).  (4) pcs.  160 ft. of 18 ga. 2 wire. Layout lighting power and accessories.   Total of 600 ft of wire, one wire pull.    

As Mike CT suggests, I also use GREEN wire for insulated rail control / signaling purposes.  Originally, I bought 500' spools of RED and BLACK from Home Depot, but if I were to do it all over again, I would buy RED/BLACK zip wire for track power and GREEN wire for insulated rail usage.  This is all 14 gauge stranded stuff.

Switches and accessories use 20 gauge wire.

You really have to shop around these days because wire has become expensive.

George

Over the years (there have been many) I've noticed bad practices by those who have good intentions. Some will spend many hundreds of dollars on one locomotive. Their layouts are done in great detail. Then cut every possible corner wiring their layouts. Yes, shop for wire but don't be foolish just to save a dollar.

Pappy,

I completely agree and your example is right to the point.  I'm not saying to cut corners, just to do some comparison shopping.  The importance of basic items:

• quality of wire and wiring practices
• subroadbed construction
• track

simply can't be overstated.  Mess up one or more of these areas and recovery is pretty difficult if not impossible without a re-do.

George