A little self-awareness can often help. Looking back, (please see Nov 24, 2021 post, reply #18), and thinking,with the (mechanical logic switch tools, presently could attempt a binary-coded addressing scheme.
It might be lot like: Imagine telling the boss, as investor rep listens; "Fred, ...We gotta dump this whole line, ...our design has been 'OUT-INNOVATED'!
"Well, ...that's bad (sez boss)."
"Yeah, and it was me, disrupting my own technology..."
Oh, well: Just trying, to get the thing out the door, before another round of 'improvements' disrupts it.
It reminds me of similar post, there was a culture of spinning the pc board fab, too early for proper testing and bug fixing.
At any rate, the '''''''new''''''' scheme would involve, say, 4 shafts, binary coded:
First 3 shafts are address, in a traditional 3-bit code, while the 4th signal shaft is the 'STROBE' input, off the BUS. Typical 1 of 8 decoder (technically 'demux').
This is leaning towards addressability, of elements internal to any particular switch.
Those local available signals could do the logic functions needed, those being explained here, as the main 'A', 'B', and 'C' shaft signals.
Notice that I'm still not suggesting binary addressed (switch) boxes, or 'Stations', which actually might be something like 5 bits, for up to 32 Stations.
No, it's the control actions, locally...
With some of the aquired skill set, it might be simpler and, indeed faster, to use the conventional random access type (selection action).
But that way won't do 'unlimited' numbers of serial connected Switch Box Stations...
Hmmm gotta think on that overhaul....
Can anybody, see, the potential, and engagement such a project, purchased in kit form, brings to the classroom...