Leo, thanks for posting the timer class.
Tom, a layout controlled with Arduino (or similar boards) that comes without documentation is, as you have discovered, is not maintainable. If you are looking at generic Arduino documentation, it probably won't provide a clue on how to get the controllers working. It's the code loaded into each controller that makes it work and the code was created by a 3rd-party ... probably the layout's builder.
It's probably best to treat each Arduino as a black box that once powered up, controls a simple function like throwing a switch. So the first thing to do is make sure the Arduinos are getting power. Best case - if the controllers are getting power, everything works. Beyond that, you have a significant challenge reverse engineering the control system without documentation.
Ask the seller to provide the system documentation/source code/operating instructions for the control system (i.e. the Secret Handshake). Better yet, ask him/her to demonstrate the operation.
