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"Turnout" was chosen to avoid confusion with all the electrical switches you might need to control your layout. "Switches" is what real world railroaders call the place where one route diverges from another. #4, etc refers to how quickly the routes separate - a #4 takes four feet to diverge 1 foot, a #6 takes six feet, etc. For starter material, try here: http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/004/474duagg.asp It is the Model Railroader collection of "how-to" articles at the parent site of this forum. If you are looking to create something beyond just the simple oval, you probably should look at the book called "Track Planning for Realistic Operation". It is available from Kalmbach publishing (again through the parent site of this forum). There are also videos available if you are more of a visual learner. Some other tips - find a good local train or hobby shop to help you out. You might also try to find other area modellers or clubs that you can join to learn more. If you want to (eventually) run more than one train, your best bet is to go with a DCC system from the start. Digitrax comes highly recommended, and their starter set - the Zephyr - is priced well under US$200 and can expand easily. Lastly, congratulations on sharing the hobby with your wife! I have met a few couples (mostly via forums like this) who are both into model railroading, and they produce some spectacular layouts. Andrew
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