Lionel Fast Track Switch Re-wiring/ Power question

Phone wire worked well for me; four wires and the colors matched. I used Euro style terminal strips to connect, using the factory wire hooked to the controller.

I would suggest 4 conductor telephone wire to use to lengthen the wire between FT switch and controller. I leave both ends connected so you don't have to fiddle with getting the wires back inside (especially on the controller end) and cut the wire near the middle and then cut the new wire to the appropriate length and splice on both ends using "jelly bean" connectors. You could also use 4 post telephone connectors to make the splice connections. There are other ways to do it as well, but this seems to work best for me and the "jelly bean" connectors have gel inside which prevents corrosion. Once all the connections are made, I wrap the connections with electrical tape for a neater install.  

Something like this, but you may not need as much - https://www.amazon.com/Phone-C...593008307&sr=8-3

If you're not running conventional, I've never thought there was much advantage to using auxillary power versus track power for FT switches, but that's just my $ .02.

I didn’t cut the controller wire, I just wired the controllers to Euro connector strips and then used 4 conductor stranded not solid 22ga wire from there to the switch. If I were doing it again, I’d use 6 conductor wire and run the power as well. I added some switch power later to some switches that I wanted powered later, but it would have easier to do it all the first time.

@Richie C. posted:

Something like this, but you may not need as much - https://www.amazon.com/Phone-C...593008307&sr=8-3

 

This is the same stuff I use.