I use a simple multimeter to troubleshoot such problems.  It takes the mystery out of this.  Go to radio shack and ask for a simple lesson if needed.   I bet you will see the "voltage" disappearing somewhere as you check around the track.

I grew up in a very small town on the Delaware Maryland border.  Although small, the town was very much a railroad town as many of the men in that era worked for the Pennsylvania railroad.  The importance of the railrod in that area has died off but there is still a rich history which I hope will not be lost.  As a kid, I only ever saw one significant model railroad.  My dad would take me there about once a year around Christmas (it was like visiting Santa).  It was a large layout (027 gauge which is all you ever saw in those days).  Any Delmar Railroaders out there?

I am pretty much a newbie and have a basic question concerning track.  Is there any advantage to using E-Z track versus "regular" track?  My existing layout is a combination of old style track and some recently installed flex track.  It is mostly working rather well.  The only place I have consistent problems is with the switches.  Are E-Z track switches any better than the "regular" switches.  Is there a brand of switch that y'all consider superior?

Thanks for helping the new guy.