I got most my wiring done on the swing gate so when it is open there isn’t any power on the gate and 18 inch’s of dead tracks off the gate. I wasn’t thinking about how many switch’s I required to do this when I was in the planning stages. As a result I currently only turn off the power on one end of the approach to the gate. I will purchase a couple more switches in the near future and complete the wiring.

The method I chose has been used by many and involves isolating one track, which is the blue the blue feeder side on my layout. Solder in a feeder wire to that track, splice in a normally open switch, and connect to the buss wire. Set the switch so when the gate closes, the switch is closed and power is reestablished to the track. Open the gate, switches open, thus no power and trains can’t run on the isolated track.

Maybe a couple of photos to help.

here is one switch glued to a thin board. Two grooves cut to allow adjustments to the switch once in place. The swing gate provides a gentle closing so the switch does not get damaged with repetitive open and closing.

Here the two switches for the hing side of the gate are in position. 

Today I am going to trouble shoot some dead spots along the rest of the layout where I need to increase the number of feeder wires for smooth operation of my locomotives

Tim Schwartz