trainman203
A jumper wire?  Is this normal?

jward
the switch is not a hold down button, but a left/right button; depending on which way it is switched.

Thank you both for your replies. 

So I bought some turnouts for my layout.  #6's cause I use large engines.  I have tried it with both the frog wire (underneath) connected and disconnected.  And the same thing happens on both left and right turnouts.  When going straight and not taking the turnout; as soon as the engine passes the frog it stops.  Checking continuity the inside track has none past the frog.  And one of my switches for changing direction burnt out.  These are DC switches running on AC power, on an HO layout.     Any ideas other than adding another power rail on that section of track?     And why would a switch burnout that is less than 2 months old?  Thanks up front.