Often called a switch, this is where one section of track diverges from another. Using the term turnout to refer to the track helps to avoid confusion with the electrical switches on a control panel that control the layout.
Most turnouts contain a pair of moveable rails called points. "Points" is sometimes used to refer to the entire turnout assembly as well. The points are connected at one end by a throwbar which is moved by a switchstand if thrown by hand, or by an electric or pneumatic motor. The outer rails of the turnout are called stock rails. Gaurdrails are usually found beyond the points inside the stockrails to help prevent an errant wheel from falling in the gauge. The point at which the inner rails cross is called a frog, reportedly becuase its shape reminded early engineers of a pair of frog's legs. The number, or angle of the frog is often used as a reference of angle for the entire turnout.
Turnouts are named by their shape and size. Right hand, left hand, curved are typical varieties. The size of the turnout is indicated by number. The number is found by counting the number of units in length it takes to make one unit of width between the center lines of the diverging routes. A No. 4 turnout will have tracks 1 inch apart 4 inches from where they begin to diverge. The higher the number, the longer the turnout.
