Alan C. says:

Switches (Turnouts) are always the weak link in any layout this is where most of the shorts happen and other disasters. A simple Left/right Number 6 turnout is the most trouble free so when you get into the more complicated one’s it goes down hill from there. I myself over the years have found out that if I power the frogs and run a separate track power led to the turnout it help a whole lot when trouble shooting. Also this is a precursor to running blocks and signals later on. If you make a turnout its own block you can tell if a train is on the turnout and won’t throw the switch/turnout under the train as it is passing over Take Care AlanC.