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Turnouts - The real world calls them "switches". It is where a train may take one of two (or possibly three) routes. Model railroaders call them turnouts to avoid confusion with ELECTRICAL switches that route power. So we have avoided confusion on one hand, but created more on the other... The numbers tell you how fast the diverging route moves away from the main. A #4 takes 4 feet to move away 1 foot, and #6 takes 6 feet, and so on. It basically tells you the angle of divergence. A word of warning - an Atlas "snap switch" - 1) is a "turnout", and 2) forms part of a 18" radius circle. It does not diverge like a numbered turnout. I only have a single layer layout, but you have options here - train elevator built with drawer slides or something like that, a helix, or a "nolix" which means that your layout is basically one huge, scenicked helix. As for the questions, don't worry about clogging the board. It is actually better to put each question in a separate thread with a descriptive title so people know what you are talking about... and whether they can help you. Andrew EDIT - looks like Dave got his answer up first!
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