I purchased an Atlas O #6910 Turntable for my layout and am preparing to install it, along with multiple storage tracks. In the Atlas instruction manual, it suggests each storage track or stall be individually powered with use of an Atlas #205 Connector for powering individual tracks on/off. This I completely get, why would anyone want to power the storage tracks and thereby the engines resting on them full time while the layout is in use. What I don't understand is that the manual continues "If you are using strictly command-controlled equipment, it is not necessary to have the storage tracks powered through an on-off switch."
I am not sure I understand this. While most later Legacy diesels only provide power to the lights when track power is present, TMCC diesels also turn on the smoke unit when track power is applied and even after the shutdown sequence is completed, some smoke units continue to blow smoke until track power is removed. I do not think powering the track to these engines is right thing to do and will definitely wire the storage tracks separately. I am wondering however why Atlas would suggest full time power to the tracks simply because the Locos are command-control. My question for the forum, is am I missing something obvious or is this just not a good suggestion from Atlas?
