HO DCC Switching

[JonJet]

I am helping a friend set up his new HO layout...and we are wondering if we can use the normal directional switch box along with the DCC box to control switch pairs of the crossover turnouts

We would like to be able to throw two switches with one DCC Control Box (44949)

Ideas?  Suggestions?  Alternatives?

[JonJet]

Much to our surprise...

We have discovered that connecting the green wires from every pair of switches to 3 positions on a terminal block...then connecting the other side of the terminal block to the switch control...operates both switches with one controller

Using the terminal blocks allows for easy replacement if/when needed - also facilitates swapping outer wires if they are connected "out of phase" (one open - other closed) - without a huge soldering mess

And it doesn't even need to be a DCC switch box - we can manually throw a single standard turnout switch and 2 turnouts will activate...even when the only available power source is DCC track power

My guess is that the only reason to use the DCC Switch Control Box is to utilize DCC Command Station or automated switching - in our case it's much easier to simply flip the switch manually and let the DCS52 control the trains