Ross turnout acting as a spring switch?

Depends on the tension of the spring. We use Tortoise switch machines and you can adjust the tension. If your cars weigh enough, and the tension is light, you can trail through all the switches.

I'm guessing it was the Gargraves spring. The stock Ross springs aren't flexible enough.

I improved the springing action by adding my own light brass wire spring. There is much less wear and tear on the switch and/or switch machines using a spring back mechanism.

Jim

Interesting mod Jim.  I noticed the bare spots on the weathered rail where the point meets the common outside rail ... I had to do the exact same thing when I painted my Ross turnouts to get electrical continuity! 

I think I did it because I forgot to switch the points both ways while painting the rails!

I'll have to check to see if it makes any difference. If the switch is wired correctly as per Ross's instructions, I don't think the points have to make electrical contact with the stock rails.

Jim

I used a ball-point pen spring mounted sideways to reset the points on a return loop in the staging area. Works nicely and even unweighted steam pilot trucks can move the points. The turnouts using Tortoise motors will spring out of the way when heavier equipment runs through them pretty well, but light steam pilot trucks and light rolling stock sometimes derail. Needless to say, we don't normally run against the points if we can avoid it.