I find my head spinning at times when I think about using Code 55 or Code 80 track on my new N Scale layout.

What experience have you had with each? 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?  The good, the bad and the ugly!

Hi 

i have successfully installed the Heljan turntable and I am having a difficult time with connecting to my Z21. I have tried the address schedule shown in the instructions using an accessory switch in the command station and set the controller of the turntable to the track setting no luck!

any one succeeded in getting it to work?

Bill

My "mainlines" have 42" radius curves, around the walls. Often, I don't worry about operations and I just like to watch the trains run.

However, I do like operations and I want "local freights" and switch jobs to have something to do other than work a few inches from the mainline. So, my thought is to have branch lines with much tighter radii than the mainlines. If I do 3x the car length, most "local" cars should work and look okay on 22" radius track, correct?

Both the LokProgrammer and JMRI DecoerPro have a Shift mode option in the logical outputs section of the function mapping. The Loksound Select decoder manual merely mentions that Shift is a modifier.  The v4.0 decoder manual provides only slightly more detail.  An internet search only reveals a couple of postings on other forums where that question was never actually answered, and one possible use case in a compound/mallet steam engine.