Here is some info:

The easy way to connect the feeder wire to the bus is with 3M Scotchlok connectors("suitcase connectors") The hard way is!.... Using 14 AWG solid wire for the bus. I find that if I use wire striper size 16 on the AWG 14 solid it will cut the insulation but not the wire. I make two cuts in the insulation about a 1/4" apart,  then use a knife to remove the 1/4" piece of insulation. This leaves a place to solder the feeder on to and you do not have to cut the wire in-two. The wire striper I have is made for strand wire which is bigger in diameter so it will not cut the solid wire when using the 16 AWG striper on AWG 14 solid.

HINT: If you lay the bus wire on top of the track you can mark them where the feeder wires are. Remove the insulation then run it under the layout and connect or solder the feeders on.

HINT: I like to use little kitchen cup hooks to hold the bus wires up under the track. You can close the hooks if needed. Both wires can go through one hook. The solid wire is strong enough that you only need a hook about every 2' apart.  Hope this helps. Bob

OK How about. "I prefer solid because it is easer for me to work with and solid wire is smaller in diameter for a given AWG number(ie. 14 AWG solid is smaller in diameter than 14 AWG strand wire)". I have used strand on my lay out but I find that solid works better for me. Also I like copper wire because of it's low resistance.  What wire you use is a personal choice. I stand corrected.
   
3.5' X 5' is not a large layout. It will probably work ok for now. If it was my layout I would at least replace the bus wiring with 14 AWG at this time. I would leave the feeder wires that you have in place but would use 22 or 20 AWG feeder on all new wiring. When your layout grows bigger it will need to be done.  It should be easy to run the bus wires under the track and then shorten and solder your feeder wires to them.  Bob

To wire for DCC, it is best to run two 14 AWG wire of different colors under the track this is the bus wires. Keep the wires close together. Then about ever 3 to 6 feet run your feeder (22 AWG) to the track(I run my feeders every 3 feet this is over kill as 6 feet works just fine). Your feeder wires will only need to be about 6" + or -. Run a 14 AWG wire from each of the bus wires over to the DCC command station. All of the wires should be solid wire not strand wire.  Hope this helps, Bob

PS. THE RADIUS YOU WANT TO USE IS DETERMINED MOSTLY BY THE ROOM YOU HAVE AND THE TYPE OF ENGINES AND CARS YOU ARE USING. LONG CARS LIKE PASSENGER CARS AND BIG ENGINES LIKE 4-6-6-4, 4-8-4 NORTHERN, BIG BOY 4-8-8-4 WILL NEED 22" RADIUS. A 2-6-2 WOULD WORK WELL ON 11.5" RADIUS. BOB

THE RADIUS OF A CURVE IS MEASURED BY THE DIAMETER OF THE CIRCLE SIZE. A 22" RADIUS WOULD MAKE A 44" DIAMETER CIRCLE.  THIS IS EASY TO MAKE WITH A BOARD. PENCIL AND A NAIL. DRILL A HOLE IN THE END OF THE BOARD FOR THE PENCIL. MEASURE DOWN 22" AND PUT THE NAIL THERE. THIS WILL MAKE A 22" RADIUS CURVE. BY MOVING THE NAIL OR PENCIL YOU CHANGE THE RADIUS. THE CENTER OF THE TRACK WILL GO ON THE LINE THAT YOU DRAW.  HOPE THAT HELPS.  BOB

I like my 2-6-6-2 very much. It runs well on sharp curves and turnouts, better then my 4-8-4 and 4-8-2s. Only thing wrong, Union Pacific didn't run them and the one I have runs slow(so did the real ones).

Got 2 B  N scale STEAM

CF, a yellowstone running backwards! I like them too, but 4-8-2 HEAVY MOUNTAIN IS NUMBER 1

STEAM-STEAM-STEAM-STEAM and more STEAM! 1900 to 1960 I like the 4-8-2 Heavy Mountain best with the 4-8-8-4 Big Boy second. My main line is Union Pacific. If I had to go a difference line it would be Northern Pacific. STEAM RULES

You might try looking at these web sites. They might help a little.  www.tcsdcc.com
www.digitrax.com/kb/index.php  Hope they help.

Maybe the track gremlin has been greasing your tracks!  Just kidding.