@Lehigh74 posted:I’m not John, but…You don’t NEED a watchdog generator. There are a few other ways to operate switched sidings with DCS
You don't "need" one, but it sure makes it more convenient if you have a lot of MTH locomotives.
FWIW, you can also turn smoke and sound down for conventional, then it just comes up with the lights on, a bit less obnoxious.