They are manual switches with a lever.  the plastic track is gray and is actually made by Life Like, my bad.  the other track is a mix of brass and steel.  sad that it sat in damp storage:((.  guess i will start searching for the numbered switches you mentioned. any tips on where to find reasonable prices for track?  ebay or??

Your advice is very thought provoking!  my research will begin with the differences between switch numbers you have mentioned.  Most of the track is old 2 rail that was stored carelessly, damage from moisture.  I took a handful and cleaned corrosion from rails using mild water baking soda mix (mix i used to clean battery posts on cars) After thorough rinsing the test loco ran on them.  I have switches(turnouts) that have similar damage. was going to try similar clean process but am 2nd guessing.  turnout mechanisms frozen on all, would WD40 on mechanism linkage be better or?  I also acquired some of the   plastic track, is that called EZ track(is my naivety about 2 rail coming out?)? 
     No switches in plastic track.  Now more questions are coming to mind, is it appropriate to restrict a post to 1 subject? Subjects like; cleaning old track, different switch number characteristics and type of track these apply to, EZ track or metal, adapting plastic track to 2 rail metal etc?  Thanks in advance for your advice. A little more about me and my trains.  The past 40 some years my train experience has been with Marklin 3 rail.  Mostly (ALL), European influence type consists/locomotives.  The boxes of Bachmann american trains my father-in-law was an eye opener to a larger train world and I have the space to start an american section!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am on the road right now but will post the type of stuff when I get home:)

1st post so bear with me?!  been playing with trains since dad gave me one in 1969. am building first room size layout.  woohoo!  father-in-law dropped off boxes of Bachmann train stuff had in storage! cool, huh? okay, have space to add a spur off main layout for an american train yard using all these new/used boxcars etc.  keep in mind the newest still in box loco is a 15 year old GE Dash 8 40 something (Walthers) so we r talking non digital.  Can you all direct me  to layout pics/designs for ideas?  thank you in advance and i apologize if my post is inappropriate.