I used an AM-1 to operate a small relay. I connected a set of normally open contacts on the relay to the push button terminals on an NCE Snap-It twin coil switch controller. Works great.
I have also used the headlight output of an LM-1 to do the same thing.
I run RailPro and NCE Power Pro on my layout. Using the NCE Snap-It and the AM-1/relay setup, I can control switches with RailPro and DCC.