Southern Pacific Switching Layout

[steinjr]

Thanks Ed! That seems simple enough.

I have a question about cutting a gap into the rail, Will a metal wheel connect the rail on each side of the gap and cause a short?

Only if you run into a turnouts that is lined towards the other leg of the turnout - the one you are not going to take. If the turnout is lined for the path you will be taking, the frog will be at the same polarity as the rail on the track you are about to enter from. The gaps or insulated joiners are there to prevent shorts on the path the turnout is not lined for.

And of course, if the turnout is lined the other way, you are likely to derail anyways - which may or may not cause a short :-)

Smile,
Stein