I just did that myself with my new layout.  After carefully measuring marking the line I wanted to cut, I discovered that if you look on the bottom side of the track, there are already marked corners that just snap off manually.  This on the 2" straights I was using anyways...  It was clean, and easy!

Wow, 71 readers and no one with the answer.  Well, I did get the track down, and I found the little tab directly under the frog that fits the plug on the black wire under there.  As for whether or not it is needed--apparently not in my case.  The switches work great and no issues with the frog.  I also found out the switches are power routing for those who may be interested.  I have a prodigy advance DCC system, and the switches were a snap to program with the addresses.  For switching two at the same time (like two being used as a crossover) I just gave them both the same address.  Sending the command switches them both.

Well, I am in the process of laying out my track, and I have a question about the DCC on board turnouts.  There is a black wire that is not connected to anything, and the print on the turnout says to connect it to power the frog.  I don't know yet if it will be NEEDED, but I may hook them up anyway to avoid problems later.  The problem is, it doesnt say where to connect the black wire.  Where? and should I bother?  Thanks in advance.  This group is the best!

That's a good idea, Bob.  Thanks

That I did Charles.  I think I've adopted several good suggestions, and it looks about ready to go.  I put the benchwork together today, and I really am impressed with the Sievers' benchwork.  My EZ track order is a bit slow in getting out of discounttrainsonline, but it is due to ship Friday.  Their pricing makes the wait worth it.

I haven't seen this discussed before.  With the hand-held cab controller attached to the command station, it seems too easy to drag the command station off of the bench.  What is a good way to attach the base unit so it won't move around?

Joe,

I use Anyrail software (anyrail.com) and I really like it.  It does have libraries for nearly all track I have ever heard of, including EZ track.  It isn't free, but I thought the free ones were too hard to use.  This one is easy.  Didn't need to read the manual even.  If I can find plywood and foam subroadbed in a sheet larger than 4 x 8 I may go larger--partly to even up the ends, and partly to give me some more room at the edges.  I didnt want to buy two sheets of 4 x 8 and just use a little of it tho.

What I would really like is to make both loops 22",  but I could't figure out how to make the figure 8 or even just one reversing loop.  I'd love to hear from someone who has.

Sievers' benchwork arrives today, and the Prodigy tomorrow.  Track still waiting for shipment.  At least I can start the fun this evening!

Bob,

I'm still a newbie but my understanding is that when you select a route all of the switches change automatically.  As for stopping the other trains, I'm pretty sure you can do that but you need some additional components to detect the other train.  Tony's Trains is a good source for info and components needed.  They also have a great price on the Prodigy Advance 2.  UPS is delivering my benchwork and Prodigy today!  I have a great week to look forward to.

I don't know if this pic will work or not--my first attempt.  If I understand correctly, this wiring should do the trick. I am powering the Auto Reversers from the main buss, but the output only will go to each of the two loops.  All of the light green track will be powered from the main buss.  Does this look right?

I am happy to hear about the turnouts' reliability.  I ordered my track from Discount Trains, and am waiting anxiously.  I got 10 switches, about half #4 and half #6.  I went with the Prodigy Advance system mainly because it will allow me to create routes, and pre-program the turnouts to work together.  I can't wait!  I just got some trains via UPS, and now I need the layout!   

Well, that's pretty much what I thought.  I think it would be just as easy, and better in the long run to convert the old locos or discontinue their use.  The reason the new layout is DCC is looking forward, not backward.

I am building a DCC layout.  I do have a couple of older DC locos.  While I know I do not want to run them on the layout with DCC power (i am using a Prodigy Advance 2) I don't know about this:  Can I just unplug the command center and plug in a DC power pack and run the layout that way occasionally?  I will have two auto reversers in the buss--will DC do any damage to them?

Thanks for the great instructions guys!  If I understand it right, If everything on a train using power will fit on the track inside the four turnouts (the figure 8 section) then I can use just one reverser and make the entire middle section a reverse loop isolated at the divergent legs of the turnouts.  Also, I assume I cannot use one reverser to control two loops, so each separate loop would require a reverser (as Nathan's plan).  I am using EZ track with the DCC controlled turnouts (haven't placed the order yet)--as it seems to get good reviews.  I just ordered a MRC Prodigy Advance 2 yesterday.  I have the benchwork coming from Sievers (it shipped today)--so I am about to start having fun!!  woopee.  Of course, I am blaming all of this on having grandkids, but we all know the real truth......    Joe, I have a double mainline oval with the inside oval diverging into a figure 8 for reversing purposes.  Both loops are connected via a crossover section of 4 switches.  I wish Bachmann would offer a double crossover #6!  I have an interchange track siding off of the outside oval, and a couple of sidings inside the figure 8 loops.  It is HO scale, 5' x 9'.

I am setting up an oval with 4 switches that create a figure 8 in the middle of the oval.  All four switches through:  route is the oval, all four divergent:  route is the figure 8.  This is a DCC layout, and I know I have to isolate the divergent route from all four switches--leaving the cross in the center isolated.  Can I wire this as a single reverse loop with one auto reverser, or do I need to seperate it into two separate reverse loops with a reverser on each one?  I hope this makes sense--I am new to this...  Thanks for your help.

Well, I realize that the roadbed track is not as flexible as section track and/or flex track.  What I was expressing doubt about, and wanting opinions on, is whether it is reliable electrically, and do trains stay on the rails through the turnouts?  Also, is it true that switches would take addresses like the locos--meaning would they count as among the 9 allowed, or is it 9 switches AND 9 loco addresses?  Thanks again all!