I am a beginner (retired with time to build! Have Sperandeo’s Easy Model Railroad Wiring … and it ‘ain’t’ easy for me! I am an electronics engineer and have read scores of schematidcs, but the aujthor does not explain any of the symbols. For example, an arrow that crosses a single line (I know double track is portrayed as a single line), nomenclaature like frog, frog points, little squares beside the traack lines, etc. none of which is explained (to me, as a neubie, that is). I have searached the net for a list of symbols used in layout, electrical ciruits, etc.
I hae 6 books now, and in none of them are the basics explained. For example, the anatomy of a frog, how it works, how to use. I will appreciate some links, or explanations, please. I do wi***o build a lay-out soon. Russ Myer
Unfortunately there is no official definition. I’ll give you my understanding of what some are - others can chime in with theirs.
The arrow is electrical feeders connected to the track. The head and tail (which may be separated) are to keep the polarity straight.
The squares with numbers are evelvation of the track - this may be above the floor or from the lowest point on the layout.
Numbers by themselves are usually curve radius, but can be block numbers.
Numbers in circles can be frog number if they’re next to turnouts.
Turnouts are usually described in an articles on scratchbuilding/handlaying track. This page has a small diagram - http://www.nmra.org/beginner/track.html - with labels.
Enjoy
Paul
A frog is the spot in track work where teh wheels cross over a rail. Frogs are in switches and crossings. The frog number is ratio of divergence, how many feet does it take for the rails to be 1 foot apart. In a # 6 frog the rails cross each other at an angles such that six feet from the point of the frog the rails are 1 foot apart.
Dave H.