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Retirement and a pandemic- a fine time to build a new layout. In order to run all of my large locomotives, I've decided to go around the room. I'm using Ross track and switches, with large curves on the mainlines- 72" to 112" radius. The 9' X 24' benchwork is built, and the track has been laid out, but not screwed down. I've purchased wire and run a set of four wires from the location of the power supplies, all the way around the room. I've also added power and ground drops every 10' to 12' of track, but they are not yet connected to any terminal blocks.

My question is... what to do next? Should I be connecting the drops, wiring the switches, or placing buildings and running power to them now? And what about signals?  It seems like it might be easier to get everything that needs power set in place first and then start hooking things up. But on the other hand, maybe it's easier to focus on just one thing for power around the layout before moving on to the next set of things that need electricity in some form. Any and all advice will be GREATLY appreciated! Thanks!

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Bob,  I'm currently working on my first N scale layout.  I've maxed out my two O scales, the seventh and eighth family O layout.  In taking my own advice, I do the track wiring first, always.  Then, as much of the remaining electrical stuff as possible.  Buildings, accessories, lamps, all need wiring and are laid out on the tables.  Two advantages of this:  First, you can get to and solve problems much faster and easier.  Second, you can plan your scenery to help hide all wiring that needs to be exposed.

Good luck and best wishes on your project.

Jerry

You do not mention the type of control system that you will be using. I am using DCS, however the wiring of the track may be independent of the control system selection.

My layout is 11'x22', with two yards off the around the room oval, going down a hallway type space. (my room is actually "T" shaped. I have four power channels going to 4 terminal blocks, equally spaced around the room, then wires from the four terminal blocks to the local track locations. I have an average of 9 sets of wires going from each terminal block to the track.

This design does a couple of things. It reduces the length of wire runs to the track, as I have 4 local hubs. This design would work with most (if not all) control systems. Also, I think it minimises the total length of track power wiring.

I run my switches, uncouplers and accessories off of different transformers, so as not to overtax the track power. In my case I have a separate circuit for each of the three areas above. I am using a Lionel 1033 track power to run the uncouplers, so I can select the voltage that best suits the uncoupling track. The switches use the fixed voltage off the same 1033. Accessories run off a separate transformer, and again, I have fixed and variable voltage choices. I have the saw mill running off the track connections, so I can set the voltage that works best for the saw mill operation.  I have another 1033 that operates my Atlas turntable (again using the variable voltage to give the best turntable operating speed).

These were all wired at different times, as my layout kept growing. so there is no need to wire everything at the same time. Also, when testing and troubleshooting issues, it is easier to only have to deal with one set of wires at a time.

Be sure to develop a wire colour standard and stick to it. I also put a piece of white electrical tape with a label (in black marker) at the end of each wire, so I know what it is, and what it is connected to at each end. You would be surprised at how confused you can get over time. I now have over 3,500ft of telephone wire for signals, track detection and uncouplers, and hundreds of feet of each coloured wire used for track (black and red), accessories (green and yellow). I double up on telephone wire to activate my uncouplers. You could add other colours as well. Be sure to get the correct gauge of wire, and more than you think you will need. I have run out of wire many times, which can force you to modify your wiring colour standard (which I have done at great confusion to myself). There are others on this forum that could help you with wire colours and gauge.

Good luck. Planning your wiring, then doing it can be a fun part of the hobby. Run your wires in groups, general at 90 degrees to and along the table edge so the underside of the table doesn't look like a rats nest. I used a 4" piece of household electrical wire 14Ga, with the copper ground removed, then put a screw about 1" from one end, then bend the wire so there is room to "hold" the wires between the household wire and the underside of your table. You can easily slip more wires into this holder. I space my holders about 18" to 2ft apart, but whatever works for you is fine.

Thanks for the advice that you've all shared. Although this is the largest and most complex layout that I've attempted, I have built a couple of small layouts to figure out some of the Command Control issues.

Lew- I'll be running both TMCC and DCS on the layout and yes, my plan has a number of switches that will be using the DZ1000 controllers. The switches will have their own power supply. Others that are near the edge of the layout will be manual.

Terry- thanks for the feedback on getting the wiring for the track done followed by the other wiring needs. I've read a few posts about trying to finish sections of the layout, which sounds appealing, but then I'd be going back to doing more wiring over a period of time. Although I'd like to get started on scenery, I am leaning toward just getting all of the wiring done.

Joe- lots of much appreciated details in your reply. I will have to take some time to digest all of that information and how it will apply to what I'm trying to build.

Hope everyone stays well and is enjoying their trains!

Bob

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