5-Rail Track Section Shorts

[EIS2]

I have observed electrical shorting on 5-rail track sections as evidenced by accessory light flickering (the 5-rail section inner rails are powered externally with accessory power) and engine light flickering as the engine rolls over a 5-rail track section.  The shorting is not evident every time, but happens quite often.  I have had problems with both FasTrack and tubular track 5-rail sections.

I have looked at the rollers and the distance between the center rail and the inner two control rails and it doesn't seem like the roller could contact the inner two rails, but it must due to the lights flickering.  I also checked the height of the uncoupler thumb tacks and they don't seem to be the problem.

The only explanation I can come up with is that the distance between the wheel flanges is allowing the trucks to drift excessively allowing the roller to contact one of the two inner rails.  Some of my Williams engines have wide rollers which cause a lot of shorts, so I generally don't run them on tracks with 5-rail sections.

Has anyone else had this shorting problem and has anyone come up with a way to prevent the shorting on 5-rail track sections?

Earl

[KRM]

Yes Earl, see my post on the Blue Stripe passenger cars by Lionel. It seems to be more to do with what your pulling over something than that something your pulling it over.

Lionel Conventional Classics 6-27767 Santa Fe Blue Stripe Passenger 4-pack along with the 2 car Expansion pack 6-27772 and the Coach car 6-27775.