Here's what I did: When ready to wire my layout/in 2018. I didn't have AWG 12,14,16 available. But I did have a nice cable with 8 individual wires in. I stripped the plastic, separating those 8/all different colors. Estimated them to be AWG 22. All copper. And all new.
I used 18 AWG from the command station to a terminal block. The terminal block had 8 screws. I then wired one wire from each terminal screw to 8 places on the layout. Where using WAGO's, added 22 AWG feeders from the WAGO to the rails. i.e. I had calculated 8 places on the layout where feeders would do the most good. (As mentioned before in another thread. Those feeders were anywhere from 6' to 6" apart. Measured with a meter or conductivity and the quarter test.) In 6+ years, no problems. So if you don't have 14 gauge wire, use 22, and have an individual wire to each feeder/rail. All this is on top of the layout, with the wires placed along the front, just behind the fascia, in plastic straws painted green. So the WAGO's are on top, needing to be hidden. A minor nuisance. But the feeders are easily hidden in scenery.
And what is obvious is that not every rail has a feeder. And I did use solder where necessary to ensure electrical conductivity.
So yes, I took shortcuts. But judiciously. (And what I especially liked was 8 different colors making it super simple to make it easy to make sure the wires were attached correctly. "look at the wire at the WAGO, and 'it's a blue stripe, and then find that wire at the terminal block and you know it's the right one. i.e. More than simple red and black.) K.I.S.S.
Morgan Bilbo, DCC since 8/18. Model PRR 1952.
