User Manual

Turnout Routes



A turnout, commonly referred to as a “switch track” or switch, is a specialized piece of track work

that moves a train to another track.

Turnout Nomenclature

1. Points

2. Main or Tangent Route

3. Frog

4. Diverging Route

- this diagram shows an example

of a right-hand turnout

Turnout points are hinged rails that move back and forth (left or right) and guide the train’s wheels

through the turnout’s frog to either the straight leg of the turnout (Main or Tangent Route) or

through the curved leg of the turnout (Diverging Route). If the curved leg goes to the right, it is

known as a right-hand turnout. If it curves to the left, it is a left-hand turnout.

When programming accessory decoders for turnouts, it is easier to remember the point direction

(Tangent or Diverging) by wiring the turnout motors (switch machines) so that they all activate

one way by your Cab (see section on “Accessory Decoders” in the User’s Manual).

When programming a Route, the LCD will prompt you to enter “1or2”.

Pressing 1 turns the accessory output “ON.” This operates the points so they always throw

to the Main or Tangent Route of the turnout.

Pressing 2 turns the accessory output “OFF.” This operates the points so they always throw

to the Diverging Route of the turnout, either to the left or to the right of the Tangent Route.

This way whenever you access an accessory decoder for a turnout, you know that activating 1

will make the train go straight through the turnout; and by pressing 2, the train goes though the

Diverging Route of the turnout, by turning either to the right or to the left.

If you wish to have the turnout points move in opposite direction of its normal programming, press

DIRECTION and then ENTER to reverse the polarity. The accessory decoder on this turnout will

respond accordingly when you operate the Route.

If you want to independently control one turnout in the Route, you can do so by recalling the

address of the turnout, It will respond normally as if it was not in the Route.

Direction of travel 

PAGE 1
Turnout Routes A turnout, commonly referred to as a “switch track” or switch, is a specialized piece of track work that moves a train to another track. Turnout Nomenclature 1. Points 1 2. Main or Tangent Route Direction of travel 2 3. Frog 4.
PAGE 2
Example of a Route You want your train to go east from Point “A” to Point “E”. The Route will take it through turnout numbers 1 through 4. Train direction (east) • Turnout #1 is a right hand turnout and the train will take the Diverging Route (curved leg). • Turnout #2 is a right hand turnout and the train will take the Diverging Route. B A #1 • Turnout #3 is a left hand turnout and the train will take the Main/Tangent Route (straight leg).