Explanation of Turn Out Numbering
 
So, what's the deal with the numbers given to turn outs? It's all about the relationship of the diverging track from the mainline "through" track; that is, the degree of slope of diverging from main. Specifically, the number refers to how many units of distance there is between mainline rail and diverging rail for a given length along the mainline rail from the exit of the frog. Thus, if there is a separation of 1" between main and diverging rails for every 6" the mainline runs from the frog, the turn out is a #6.

 

Frog? WHAT Frog?!
 
And what's this "frog" thing about? Its about HORSES, that's what its about; yes, I said HORSES. When you look down on it, it appears to be something like the "frog" in a horse's hoof, which requires periodic cleaning and a manicure.  And here, I always thought it was because the intersection of tracks at that spot LOOKED like a frog after it had been run over by a train, but not so. I suppose the frog in the horse's hoof looks like an actual frog after it has been run over by a horse -but I'll leave such cosmic considerations for souls with a greater intellect than mine. A VAST population.
 

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