#5 Turnout Dead Short

[Slagathor]

Has anyone had or seen this problem: We are using an E-Z Track #5 nickle silver turnout, running DC power and throwing the switch manually. We are having an intermittent problem when a locomotive passes through the turnout it dead shorts on the metal frog. If the locomotive goes through the switch going on the straight track there is never an issue. Again the problem is intermittent and comes and goes.  It does not seem to be directly connected to when the switch is thrown. This issue is present with all brands of locomotives. Thanks for reading

[jward]

this is a problem that has occasionally cropped up with insulated frog switches of various makes over the years. the solution is simple. paint the rails coming into the frog where the locomotive wheels short. you could also use nail polish, anything that would provide insulation to the rails would prevent the short. whatever you use to paint the frog rails, make sure it doesn't attack the plastic of the frog by test painting a small area on the underside of a spare piece of track. do this first, before painting the frog rails, and if what you are using causes any damage to the test area don't use it on the frog.

eventually, the paint will wear away, if this happens simply reapply the paint.