[AllenB]

Maybe a silly question, but why are #4 Atlas turnouts (#281/282) so common as opposed to the #851 Snap turnouts?

Allen

 

[tankist]

IMHO more practical. plus they have metal frog that can be wired as well.

 

[AllenB]

IMHO more practical. plus they have metal frog that can be wired as well.

What is the metal frog I keep hearing about?

 

[tankist]

take a look at the turnout. the frog is actualy one cast conductive piece. it is isolated from rails but if you choose so you can route a wire to it and power according to the position of turnout. so shorter engines like 0-4-0 docksider or old B switcher will not stall . or leave unpowered for "insulfrog" opetation.

snap switches have to agressive of diverging route to my liking