The older I get the more difficult it gets to rummage around under the layout, on the floor, trying to complete wiring, switch machine installation, etc.  There are ways of easing this somewhat (e.g. using suitcase connectors for wiring) but I'm wondering how far some of you may have gone to address this.  Since I tend to do all the work myself I'd be interested in any tricks/tips/hints you may have on ways to work from the top down instead of bottom up.  Suggestions for switch machines, accessing wiring for maintenance, etc.

I have a stupid problem that I can't clear. I have small layout with 15 Peco electrofrog swithces - each one controlled by a Cobalt Digital motor. 14 of them are working perfectly but I have trouble with the 15th. When set straight, it causes no issues but when I set it for the siding, I immediately get a full short and my NCE Powercab shuts down. There are only three connections to the Cobalt - 2 power and one for the frog. Both exiting tracks have the required peco insulating joiners.
Would anyone have any suggestions as I am tearing my hair out?

As I'm dismantling the current G&AM I'm also planning and preparing for the next layout. One of the features I want to have is signaling and the possibility to automatically control and run a number of trains from a PC. This post is not about the software side, I pretty much know what options I have. It's about the hardware for occupancy detection and such.

I have 30 locomotives that currently have Tsunami board-replacement-style decoders installed.  I'm in the process of converting all to Loksound, and I have a great opportunity to trade most for a like number of new Loksound Selects.  However, most of the Loksounds are of the 8-pin plug variety.  

Would the installation of such a decoder as a replacement for a factory board-style Tsunami be feasible (i.e. clipping off the plug and soldering the various wires on the locomotive to those on the decoder)?