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Ok. I have read just about all the posts and replys. I need real simple terms bus,gaps,and all Im in information overload. I have a small 4x8 layout with 6 switches and no trains yet. I plan on having maybe 3 or less. I would like to use DCC. But one heavy(???) big enough to run this and add lights and crossings. Oh yea got to have sound from the start. I have no idea how to wire this all in.
Well as being a new guy myself i'll tone in on a level your looking for.
For DCC and dc wiring there isn't much differance.
Most of your descisions should be made over time. Never glue anything down till you are perfectly ready. Having said that it is not uncommon to pull up some stuff so consider this during construction Problems that occur are allot of grade type issues with derailments or uncouplings.
Now about wiring. Most people do a 14 gauge bus wire with is the main power for all your track. You will be ready for any typ of upgrade with a 14G buss.
Feeder wires are commonly smaller i used telephone wire it is small by most standards but since i keep the feeders around 5". These wires are tinned first by puting solder on the wire first then heating it to the rail. then connect to the buss
Male sure you clean your track before you run trains 90% of time if the problem is not a short it is dirty track
Gaps put them on sidings, gaps are made by using plastic rail connectors. This is done so you can turn off the sidings power to park a loco so power doesn't affect its circuitry while not being used. This is an old school method but i have been told about it enough to realize people still do it.
OK, first, for a small layout like yours any of the entry DCC systems will work: MRC Prodigy Express/Advance, Digitrax Zephyr, NCE Powercab... even the Bachmann EZ Command.
Second, none of these systems will provide power for your accessories - they can control them, but providing the juice is up to you. It's not usually a big deal, just use an old power pack.
You can control turnouts with DCC, but you'll need a stationary decoder to do it. Depending on whose system you're using, you're looking at $10-$15 per turnout, plus the cost of the switch machine. While it's cool, for a small layout, handthrowing or regular wiring is cheaper.
Sound is your choice. All the systems will control sound, but it's installed in the locos, and definitely raises the price of the unit.
Oh, and the bus is just the wires under the layout that carry the signal to different parts of the layout. Think of it like the water system in your town. The bus is like the water-main under your street - large diameter to carry lots of water.
The feeder wires that run from the bus wires to the track are like the pipes off the main into your house - smaller diameter because they don't have to carry a lot of water very far... OK, so it's a shakey analogy, but you get the idea.
Gaps are insulated joints (or just open space) that electrically isolate one section of track from another. Doing this on a DCC layout is good for a) tracking down problems (since you can disconnect isolated sections, and see where the problem is) b) isolating a programming-only track and c) wiring a reverse-loop.
