Basic Wiring Question

i am interested in the answer to your question as well.

The term of art is "terminal strip" and "yes" is the answer.

It doesn't make the electrons any happier, but it will make YOU happier.

Here are some pictures of typical "barrier strips" which is the version you want to get. Radio Shack has them, as well as many on-line sources.

Get the kind that has two rows of screws.  Run a common wire to a number of the screws along one row, and then attach the wires for the individual loads to the other row, as needed. You can divide the total number of screw terminals into sub-groups. For instance, you can buy a 12 position strip, and have the first 4 positions be the "B" post and the next 4 positions be the "U" post.  That gives you 4 spares. You can mix - n - match, according to your wiring scheme. The only tools needed are a long-nose pliers, with a wire-stripping feature, and a screwdriver.

This is a recording: "You ought to buy yourself an inexpensive digital volt-ohm-ammeter, and learn how to use it. They cost upwards of $10 and are indispensable for playing with toy electric trains.  Here is a source for them at a price that can't be beat."  Get a meter

I have been playing with trains for 60 years, and working on electrical control systems for 45 years. I know nothing about the command control systems, but if you have any questions about conventional electrical issues, please ask.

Go take a look at this page and scroll down to the 3rd and 4th pictures for a very good close-up  and typical wiring scheme that would be exactly the way your trains would be wired.  There are two feeders (the heavy red and black wires) and the various smaller wires heading off to the loads.

Please learn how to post links! Do NOT just paste URL's here.

Thank you for the link to the guide to how to post pictures.  I seldom post pictures, but I will keep that info handy in the event that I do.

Can you guide me to how to post links? I figured that you were concerned with the length, not the content, so I used what I use on other forums, the Tiny Url program, to shorten them.

You should be able to connect the negative wires right to the outside rails to save on wiring.  Since you are using the one transformer, you already have a common ground...

Marty

For a few accessories, Marty, I would certainly agree with you. However, once he starts to get more than just a few accessories, it's more logical to use either a terminal strip right at the transformer location, or a pair of bus wires that go around the layout.  Using the "home run" method of wiring is easier to picture in your mind, and easier to trouble-shoot, and keeps potential problems away from the track circuits.

My personal objection to the tinyURL format is you have no idea where you're being linked.  While I'm sure you wouldn't post malicious links here, if the practice was widespread, someone is bound to post something that is really unpleasant.

If you have a URL you want to post, simply copy the entire URL to the clipboard.  Then highlight some descriptive text in your post, maybe This is Google.  Click on the Link icon in the toolbar above (to the right of the quote icon), and paste the text into the top line (Link URL) of the dialog box.  The result will be.

This is Google

For pictures, you can use the green icon left of the smiley.