question on wiring

Need:   At least 14 gauge wire, Power to track.  Small (18 ga.) wire from the transformer to the distribution block, like hooking a garden hose to a fire hydrant, your still only going to get a garden hose supply.   Multiple engines, lighted passenger cars, require a fair amount of track power. IMO, Mike CT.

Walt: The run from the transformer to the barrier strip should be the thickest wire (14 gauge). From the barrier strip to the lockons, you can use smaller wire depending on the length of the run. Use 18 gauge for distances of 2-3 feet. Use 16 gauge for distances of 3-6 feet. 14 gauge is good from 6 to 20 feet.

thanks!!  I'll stick with what I've been doing forever then.

I like the garden hose/fire hydrant analogy.

- walt

Walt you don't indicate what xformer you are using, or whether it has a breaker or not, but picture this:

The trains are happily running around the layout and no one is in the room for the moment. The cat decides to take a swipe at the passing train and derails it resulting in a short. That 18 awg wire is good for only about 10 amps and unless protected by a cb or fuse, it will quickly overheat, with potentially dire results.

So if you do this, make sure you have a 10 amp fuse max in the supply line, close to or at the transformer.

Rod