As I'm planning my layout I use all Atlas code 100 track and have a mix of #4 and #6 custom line switches.  As I'm planning this layout and because I have more modern passenger and freight cars I wonder if  I should even consider using the #4 switches on the layout or just retire them.  My layout will be a 9x11 around the room layout.

I was thinking of using the #6 switches on the main line and the #4 switches in any yards that I may have.  Just curious what others have done.

This is a layout animation idea I came up that requires no motors and actually uses the trains momentum to power it. The idea I came up with uses a flat gear (rack) on the track and a gear sticking out from below the car. When the car passes over the rack gear it would move the animation. With varied rack length and teeth on the pinion (round gear) you could have almost limitless possibilities. I would try this myself but have two problems:

1. No available gears

2. I do not have a car to "butcher" and cut a hole in the bottom of.

Well I am looking for help now with some wiring. I am working on getting a switch module (see image). We will most likely be making a yard module and I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for blocks. The yard blocks would be separated by track and run by the sam power pack as their respective tracks. If we were running DCC this wouldn't be a problem but we have DC if anyone could help please do. Thanks in advance, Trainmaster247.

I just received an email from a Kato representative and they are able to donate a  HO scale Metra engine. Also a local club has supplies they can donate and also the donations from David Thanks to all of them.