Hi Maurice,

The 8588 is an isolator, but if you want to use it for a siding of a main line, you'll need two of them - and make sure the cut is on othe same side. I prefer to use the plastic isolators because they're less obvious. It would be better to use a 8588 and then a plastic isolator at the other end.

I use the 8588 in a siding and use a switch box to make or break the connection, effectiviely isolating the section to allow me to 'park' a locomotive whilst the rest of the track remains 'live' for shunting, etc.

You could do the same on a siding, but you would only need to connect one of the 8588s to the switch box, because when the connection is made power is provided to the track and the second isolator is spurious. It's only relevant when the connection is open.

What colour cable you'd use would depend on what side the break is on, although I think protocol is that the brown is isolated. It doesn't really matter and, to be honest, I use different color cable to differentiate it from the rest - especially as I have loads of cables underneath! Mine are green and connected to a 72730 - the newer version is the 70739.

Hope this helps,

Pete