Problem with wiring Ross 11 1/2 degree crossing

This sounds like an intermittent connection to the DZ-1008 relay.  I'd suggest checking to make sure all the relay connections are secure.

If all other connections are soldered, the 3 contacts on the DZ-1008 that mate with the DZ-1000 would be a good place to check.  There may either be a loose connection here or some oxidation may have built up in between these connections shown below where the red arrow is pointing.

The DZ1008 is not plugged into the DZ1000. All connections are soldered except the three screw ones on the DZ1000.

I did some experimenting today.  With a car parked on the crossing either direction, all the rails have the proper voltage. It's clear that the relay only engages when a car axle is providing ground. As soon as the car is removed, I can hear the relay release.  The switch machine is supposed to hold the relay on in one direction, but it isn't.

I have a number of DZ1008 around the layout that latch based on switch position. The only difference here is no two button controller.

Any ideas?

I never had any luck with the DZ relays. I let the smoke out of a couple on my 11 degree crossing and finally used some atlas snap relays. they lasted physical contacts verses electronic ones. got rid of the crossing on the new layout as it was a bit of a pain when I wanted to run some older post war stuff.

My last post gave me an idea, so I used some jumpers to temporarily add a DZ1002 2-button controller to the circuit. This did not solve the problem.  The relay still does not latch.  My hunch is some kind of ground problem, but the adventure continues.  Am I having fun yet?

For what it's worth, I think you are on the right track in looking more closely at the ground/common connection to the relay.

DZ 1008 is a latching relay.  It should hold position until thrown the other direction.  Correctly wired, it could be defective. IMO.

The problem seems to be a used and likely refurbished KW transformer I recently purchased.  I ran with a different transformer with no problem at the crossing.  

The whistle lever on the KW actually operates the bell instead of the whistle, meaning the wiring is backwards. When I hooked my layout common to the KW A post and the U post to the center rail, no problems at the crossing, and the whistle works properly.

Looks like I need to open up the KW.

Mission accomplished.  The solution was to power the crossing relay and switch machine from track power instead of accessory power. This way, regardless of which cab/transformer is running the train, the train, relay, and switch machine grounds are always the same.

KW wiring matches the Lionel Service manual, so don't understand what's going on there. I'll start another topic to explore that.

Thanks for all the help.