My only thought would be a toggle switch for each yard track that an engine could possibly be parked on so you could shut off power to it and still use the remaining track in the yard. Just to keep the electronics off while not in use. I have both DCS and Legacy, but am much more familiar with the workings of DCS. The chrono and run time keep adding up when an MTH engine sits on a powered track.
Having said that, I am a real novice as to railroad operations so this may not make sense in the applications you have in mind here. Your layout is going to be much more elaborate then mine as well. It was just a thought and something I added after the fact on my layout that is far from being finished. Still in the development/re-development stages and needs to be expanded, but it allows train running while the thought process continues! Probably won't look anything like it does now if it ever gets finished...
