This vintage English turnout (possibly Bassett Lowke) is causing me endless irritation - My locos (MTH/Williams/RMT) all cause sparking/ shorting and stopping - even lighting equipped caboose causes shorts. I have marked with red tape where the problem areas might be. All solutions welcome - I run DC 18v power and this is the only place I have problems.
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It appears from this picture, above, that the two wheel guides from the frog are solder to a jumper bar, along with all (4) outside rails. Left of, Picture center orange tape. These sections of track, which lead to the move-able tips should be dead rail sections, not connected to the outside rails. When the center rail rollers cross this piece of track, it shorts through the other rollers to the center rail. Needs to be dead, dead, no connection. IMO, Mike CT 
Left of the left orange tape.
Mike CT - thanks so much - I'll have a go at insulating that section tomorrow - much appreciated - I love old stuff but it takes some learning - Brian
Love the old stuff; this was clearly non-Asian handmade.
However, frame it, hang it on a wall; and buy a Ross turnout with a DZ switch machine....flawless
More complex is power routing, via a latching relay. Something to consider if several engines stop on this switch.
There seems to be a couple of places where the grounded rails are very close to the center. If you have wide pickup rollers they might be touching the ground rails.
Thanks Danr - will look for that too
AlanRail - you made me laugh with that comment. Any new turnouts here (Ross/ Atlas etc) cost $$$. Next time I am allowed to visit US I'll hunt some used ones down
A side note: The switch at one time was wired with cloth and camber wire, (knob and tube type wire). Interesting. 
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