New Plan

[faraway]

.... I should be able to hook up 15+ cars without fouling the main....

15+ cars.... a dream for me

...... and wiring those %^&*$#% tortoise switch machines...

Richard, I replaced my old switch machines a few month ago with tortoise switch machines. I prepared them with 5 pole luster connectors while comfortable sitting at my desk. The connector is mounted with double side sticky tape and held with five wires too. That reduced the time to work with wiring overhead dramatic. Similar adapters are commercially available in the US but they are expensive and would take a long time to get over the great pond. This is a quick and simple solution for me.
I do also mount the tortoise switch machines with double side sticky tape first. It is at least good enough for a 30 minutes test drive. The mounting screws are added when the tortoise switch machines are correct aligned.