Two wires should get you started. A pair of terminal joiners or solder wires to the rails. Do you have a trackplan you can post? ( or descibe )
If you are starting with the Kato K-1 track set, or a slightly larger oval using transition curves, simply plugging the wires from the terminal section included with the K-1 set into your DCC control will get you running. Even with this small plan you will want to eventually add more feeders but if you are interested only in being up and running quickly this will do it. Consult your DCC manufacturer's manual on track wiring for permanent wiring. Ben
As Ben suggested. Connect the terminal section to the track output and have at it. Consider your options as the layout becomes bigger.
All you need are two wires hooked up to a power terminal track. You can expand your wiring as your layout grows. On the JJJ&E which is all Unitrack, I drop two feeders (one for each rail) for every section of Unitrack to two common bus lines under the benchwork. The JJJ&E has been fully operational for over seven years. Stay cool and run steam....
About the wiring that came with the K1, if I remove the clear plastic covering (the end that would normally plug into a DC power pack and strip off their metal sleeves) would that get me up and running?
Yes, and you need to strip enough of the insulation off each of the wires to connect them to your DCC control. Connect them and you are ready to start running. Ben
Please pay attention to Powersteamguy1790's reply. You could get by with 2 wires for something like a Christmas tree oval, but if you want a larger layourt, wiring each and every section of track (even the tiny ones) will result in a trouble free fun every time. This is a lession learned. Good luck and happy rairoading. Phil
My last few layouts had been wired in this manner--never a voltage drop, or a a dead spot! The only way to go.