Star Wiring for Around the Room Shelf Layout DCS

Here's my 2 cents worth.  My layout is basically a large rectangle, about 30'X10'.   I used 12 gauge stranded wire for everything, from a terminal block.  Star wiring pattern.  Some wires are short, some are long.  It didn't make any difference; everything is fully powered, and good signal.  I did run both a hot and ground to each loop ( no "common" ground).  I don't think wire length makes any difference unless either the layout is way big or the wire is too small.  That's why I went ahead and used 12 gauge.

If you can't figure out a way to make the switch itself go hot and cold then maybe a toggle switch?  Of course that would be a manual switch, but it will work.  Put it on the hot wire.

What you are describing is exactly how the glacier line is wired. The glacier line is basically a shelf railroad going around the outside of a basement with one Island. We also use the MTH power distribution blocks. It is only necessary to run one wire to each section. You may have a common ground. The best way to wire the layout is to get atlas selectors. If you don't know, and Atlas selector is a an electrical panel containing for spdt switches. You would run your wire from the power distribution block to the input of the selector. You would then run your first block on your selector to the first block on your layout. It is very wise to still divide your layout in two blocks. Because when you have an electrical issue, notice I did not say if, when you have an electrical issue you may simply put the selector switches in the center off position and then turn them on one at a time to determine where the electrical issue is. Also by dividing the layout into blocks you are able to turn on and off sidings. This is particularly helpful as last year I learned MTH engines Show run time if they are merely just sitting on the track and the track is powered. They do not have to be moving. I also learned you must have the power on when you initially turn your Transformers and tiu on so it may recognize the engines on the track. Then you may shut those blocks off so the engines aren't showing run time if that is of a concern to you. If you would like a greater detailed explanation I would be glad to give it to you but this is already way too long of a post.

https://youtu.be/gSK7DP7jX1w

Check out this post on a glacier Line YouTube channel. It explains why blocks.

My layout is small About 14'x14' square powered by a a MTH Z 4000 Transformer, Lionel Tubular track. My blocks have around 10 to 14 sections of track, to isolate them i used nylon pins ( a Break) in the hot center rail. I ran 14-2 Romex around the layout, one for the Track power, one for the 14 volt Accessory Power and one for the 10 Volt accessory power. Each of the romex is open ended meaning it's not a complete loop. Each isolated block has ONE feeder wire ( a Drop) to supply power soldered to the bottom of the Track, i did the hot and a ground for each block.. I used tap splice connectors with 16 gauge stranded wire to tap off of the Track power Romex. Basically the hot rail in each block is isolated from each other with one feeder wire per block. I plan on getting DCS in the near future, I think this will work. Since the layout is small I can run the entire layout off of one REV L TIU Channel since i have only 10 blocks. In my research I have found that up to 24 Blocks can be ran on one channel of a REV L Track interface Unit. Here is a thread that has an illustration that helped me understand it all.

i just use a toggle switch that is wired into the drop that powers my yard block to cut power if I want to.

https://ogrforum.com/...57#21843891970296957