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The automatic switches (numbered 1 - 6) are connected in pairs so that each trailing point movement causes another switch to change to the position which will permit running the entire layout with no operator intervention. The pairs are 1:6, 2:4, and 3:5. Let's follow a train around the layout.
The train runs in a counter-clockwise direction around the layout. Start with a train on the outer curve in the upper right corner. When the train passes through the straight leg of switch #1, it causes switch #6 to align to the curved position. When the train passes through the curved leg of switch #5, it causes switch #3 to align to the curved position. When the train passes through the straight leg of switch #4, it aligns switch #2 to the straight position. The train then proceeds around the oval on the right side of the inner portion of the layout, this time passing through the straight leg of switch #5 which changes switch #3 to the straight position. The train then proceeds around the upper oval. When the train passes through the curved leg of switch #4, it changes switch #2 to the curved position so that the train will then exit the inner loops and return to the outer loop. As the train passes through the curved leg of switch #1, it causes switch #6 to align to the straight position. The train then proceeds around the outer loop, returning to the starting position in the upper right corner.
Several operating accessories are present on this layout. The ones operated by the passing train are: 2 semaphore signals at the crossing, the operating switch tower activated by the track immediately to the right of it, the operating gateman also activated by a curved track in front of it, and the crossing gate operated by a track between them.