wire from trainsformer

16  gauge, 14 gauge even better.  16 is safe.

16 is good. I used 18 with no issued but you have to make sure there is little load on it. What size wire where you using on the O-27 layout that heated up on a O-42? There is little difference between them if you are running the same trains on it.

If you where running a short freight on the O-27 and a long passenger with incandescent lighting in the cars on the O-42, that would explain your heating.  Sounds to me like something changed between the two layouts.

Thank you John

Thank you GG1man

John C. posted:

16  gauge, 14 gauge even better.  16 is safe.

Thank you John

I am assuming that you had a carpet layout and now wanting to go big time with a permanent layout. If this is not a correct assumption then kick me to the curb.  Some of this information will be off topic. But I would like you to be aware of a few things again assuming the same assumption above. 

My layout is probably the third on I have built. My first experience was just short of a disaster since I wanted to run trains immediately. What I learned from the first I applied to my second and with my third I am well satisfied to quote a great source. My last layout is 12x20 so I have had a substantial learning experience. I also have four transformers. Two "Z's" to run trains a garden light transformer to run switches and the last a 1099 to run accessories. Now that you have my background let me give you some suggestions. 

First don't mount your track directly to the plywood. Get a sheet of Homasote or sound board. Homasote will run you $25 a sheet, Sound board a little more. I used Homasote as it was readily available at HD. Using this type of product eliminates unwanted sound that detracts from the running of the Locomotives and Rail Sounds. Well worth the cost. 

Now secondly run buss type wiring. If you are not aware of this scenario. Do some searches on this forum for greater information. The big reason is that you will not have the voltage drops through the Buss wire as you will where track sections are put together. The drop through the sections will create the condition of locomotives stalling or slowing at the far end from where you would have put your lockon attached to your track 

Now are you using FasTrack?  If yes, ouch.  What you want to do is attach every 5 to 6 feet are drops from your track to the buss wire that you ran underneath your train board. Now I think I may digress for a minute. There are different thoughts on what should be the height of a layout. I feel as one ages the height should increase to a maximum of 48 inches. Believe me you will spend a great deal of time under the layout or bending over to get under it. Also it is a good height for working under the board. Not so tall that you are reaching up and not so low to be constantly banging your head. Now also as long as I am here even with a 4x8 layout you will be tempted to get up on your layout. So make it sturdy and stable. Again a search on this forum will give you ideas on what to do and what not to do. 

Enough digressing going back to wiring. Regarding those drops I referred to previously. As I said if your using FasTrack, I have heard again by reading posts on this forum that there is no good way to attach drops to FasTrack. So read what others have done on this forum. If using other vendor it is easy (easy for me to say) to solder the drop to the center rail. Now that I have mentioned that let us again digress to talk about tools. Just listing without explaining why (when you get into the creating your layout will teach you the why):

Cordless Drill and assorted bits, a multimeter (indespensible), wire cutters/strippers.  This is good enough to get started

I fear I got going and may have given you too much to chew on. Also take the time to read books regarding the subject you are interested with such as wiring a layout. On this website is a shopping area and Barrett has written numerous books on various subjects. Take the time to look over the selection of books that are available. I will continue this discussion as needed as I get verbose again