04-25-2012, 12:15 PM
As I understand it (though I'm not on DCC, so take this for what it's worth), the heavy-gauge bus wire is because DCC allows you to run a potentially larger number of locos than DC with block control. If you think about it, a dozen guys could run locos with DCC on an ISL, assuming you had enough guys, enough controllers, and enough locos, although the locos couldn't move very far. (They'd still be drawing current anyhow, though, even if they were standing still.) This could put a heavy load on traditional DC style layout wiring, which would explain Mindheim's recommendation.
But normally you're just going to run one loco, or at most two, on a small ISL anyhow. Ordinary Atlas layout hookup wire is 20 gauge, and unless you're planning to host a large group on a fairly large layout, I would think that's enough. In addition, you can run even smaller wire as feeders from individual rail sections to the main bus. I used to do this, but the finer wire breaks or comes unsoldered more easily, and I wound up deciding the need for reliability outweighed the advantage in appearance.
But normally you're just going to run one loco, or at most two, on a small ISL anyhow. Ordinary Atlas layout hookup wire is 20 gauge, and unless you're planning to host a large group on a fairly large layout, I would think that's enough. In addition, you can run even smaller wire as feeders from individual rail sections to the main bus. I used to do this, but the finer wire breaks or comes unsoldered more easily, and I wound up deciding the need for reliability outweighed the advantage in appearance.