Some basics in electricity
Ohm's Law: Volts = Resistance x Amps (V=I*R)
Watts = Volts x Amps(W=V*I
By taking some simple voltage, resistance or amperage measurements, one can calculate watts, or visa versa.
Labels on electrical devices can be stated in a number of the above variables - watts, volts, amps - so that sometimes we end up comparing apples and oranges - eg is it 250 volts or 250 watts?
As a simple example, consider 10 volts going down the tracks from a 250 watt transformer. What is the amperage? Ohm's law tells us that W=V*I so a little bit of algebra will give us V=W/I. In this example 250 watts/ 10 volts = 25 amps
Now, take a look at the ratings of the circuit breakers in your house electrical panel. You will find that most circuit breakers are rated at 15 (amps).
That 250 watt transformer produces the power of two 100 watt lightbulbs and one 50 watt lightbulb. Now here's the question. Would you hold those three lightbulbs in your hand?
I doubt it.
One of the reasons for using such thick wire in DCC (14 AWG or 16 AWG) and using a track power buss (and it's true even of analog systems) is the high wattage that goes down the tracks when we short the tracks (derailment, running a switch, etc) Typically, we have 16 volts continuous in the tracks with a 5 amp output. This will produce 80 instantaneous watts if we short the tracks - enough to do some welding of plastic, rails, metal wheels, etc. We want the command station to detect this surge in wattage so that it will shut down immediately. This is done, in some ways, by using this heavy 14 - 16 AWG buss wire and 20 - 22 AWG track feeders placed every 3 feet or so.
Otherwise, if we are using 24 AWG telephone wire throughout, the command station might think that we are legitimately demanding more power to the locos and will keep on pumping out the extra watts. In which case, we could end up with some serious damage to our decoders.
Which is why, regardless of the size of wire throughout your layout, you should always test every foot of track on the layout with the coin test - short a coin across the rails and make sure the command station shuts down.
Anyhoo............ Just some thoughts on the idea.
Bob M.