For automation, you need minimum contiguous block detection for the automated part of the layout. I also recommend profiling your locomotives with the roster profiler. Signals are not necessary to automate, but they help. I defined all my control point signals as masts, most are virtual (no hardware). With defined signal mast logic (SML), you can automatically generate sections. Once you have sections, you can define transits. Then you can create trains that run on those transits. -- KenNYNH&H, Old Colony Division, Cape Cod Branch (1949-1959)Loconet * JMRI 5.11.1 * OSX,Win10,Ubuntu Blog: ? Youtube: