rrinker The old non-DCC friendly ones are the ones that have trouble with Tortoise machine contacts if you don't carefully align the Tortoise. If the opposite contact makes before the point rail has come away from the stock rail, short.
I avoid this problem using two contactor lever switches on the Tortoise.
These break way before they make, so there is zero chance of the described short circuit.
These will also carry all the current needed in any situation and proved much better contact. A very easy fix and improvement.
However, I doubt there will be many more DC layouts buit using the old style Walthers/Shinohara code 83 trackage.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Following-on from an earlier recent post, I'm gonna be interested to see if the new Walthers track is compatible with their previous (Shinohara & Atlas) track or more of a match for PECO / Micro Engineering track. Checking PECO against A.R.E.A. (manufacturer's) figures and Dudley 127 Lbs Rail with Ties @7" High x 9" Wide x 19/19.5" Centres, puts PECO track bang to rights.
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".