Wiring a layout..terminal bus how do you do it?

Jeff, when I ran conventional, I ran common ground following my tracks.  Once I got Ogauge, MTH DCS, I went with what they call star, I think what you mean by hub, in telecom we called it home run.  My personal thought is to use the hub, even though you look like you are running conventional.  If you decide to run command you would be ready.

Thanks Mark.  I found where someone posted a video and a link on what to buy.  I saw on the video you want to get the terminal with the  piece to connect all sides at once.  I didn’t think you needed that at first.  He was connecting in a series but the star method should give more even power.  I think I’m getting some ideas on how this will work for me.

As I understand it, MTH recommends the "star" pattern for distributing track power around an O-gauge layout so that all the track power wiring from the main hub to several track connections are exactly the same length; thus the DCS signal strength is equally present all over the layout.

My layout is Lionel-oriented with TMCC.  I ran a track power wire from the output of the Command Base to a Direct Trackside Device. Its circuitry quickly reacts to a short. It is housed in a trackside shed. Then the main track power wire goes to a distribution hub, and then to four traditional track lockons around the layout.  Those wire runs are not of equal length, but all my TMCC-equipped  locos run fine without voltage "drop-outs" anywhere.

Mike Mottler    LCCA 12394