Power distribution for my layout - ZW-L, Legacy, and Fastrack

In addition to just pure size and length, power consumption and the number of power drops needed also has a lot to do with what kinds of trains, passenger cars, lighting, etc. that will be used on the layout but, generally speaking, a power drop every 8-10 track sections (no matter the length) should be sufficient to get you in the ballpark.

You can always add more later, but your plan looks like it mostly conforms, although there is a sizeable gap at the crossover in the middle and you might try to add a drop in that area.

Reading your description of your layout, you are currently TMCC/Legacy/LC+2.0 only.  Using buss wiring will work.

Do you ever plan to add DCS in the future?  If so, some mods should be made by isolating the center rail between each of your red track connections.

@Richie C. posted:

In addition to just pure size and length, power consumption and the number of power drops needed also has a lot to do with what kinds of trains, passenger cars, lighting, etc. that will be used on the layout but, generally speaking, a power drop every 8-10 track sections (no matter the length) should be sufficient to get you in the ballpark.

You can always add more later, but your plan looks like it mostly conforms, although there is a sizeable gap at the crossover in the middle and you might try to add a drop in that area.

I run mostly freight but I do have one passenger train - a TMCC Amtrak Dash-9 pulling 6 Williams Amtrak Superliners. The lighting in those passenger cars pulls 4-5 amps when they're all on the track. One reason I opted to power the two mainlines separately

I don't think there are any places to add a drop with the spade connectors in that middle area with the crossover and switches, which is why I don't have a drop planned there. If it give me trouble, I'll have to see if I can solder a drop to the crossover itself.

..... or you could solder to one or two of the small fitter pieces, too.

@CAPPilot posted:

Reading your description of your layout, you are currently TMCC/Legacy/LC+2.0 only.  Using buss wiring will work.

Do you ever plan to add DCS in the future?  If so, some mods should be made by isolating the center rail between each of your red track connections.

I'm actually planning to wire things up in a "star" pattern (unless I'm misunderstanding) just because it feels simpler, has fewer connections (aka fewer failure points) and I've already got the terminal blocks mounted underneath under the layout right behind where the ZW-L sits.

Just TMCC/Legacy right now - I don't have the appetite to purchase another control system right now and as I typically run trains by myself, I don't really want to deal with two separate control systems either. Isolating all those sections would also require some rework of the track plan. Great advice, though - if I ever get the chance to build a permanent layout, I think I'd definitely do the extra work to wire in a way that would support DCS so the layout is future proof!