Since I wrote my comments on 15/9 I expected various comments from other contributors pointing out that some of my statements were probably poor practice - I was not disappointed! That is their opinion, but these are my actual experiences since starting my 00 gauge layout 'Crewlisle' 47 years ago. As the saying goes, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it!' The basic layout design has not changed because it works & has entertained at exhibitions for the last 38 years! Google 'Crewlisle' to see the track plan on line.
1. Since starting in the mid 70's, my stock has increased to 53 locos (11 with sound) including steam, diesels, HST, Midland Pullman, APT & classes 85, 86 & 87 from various manufacturers ie, Mainline, Airfix, Lima, Hornby & Bachmann & over 200 items of rolling stock. There is no fiddle yard (less points to worry about for shorts, etc.) but I have 14 space saving cassettes on a rack under the baseboard, each of which can be slotted into the reversing loop inside the operating well. The reversing loop leaves the 'down' main (inside track), opposite the coaling stage, down through the operating well, under the bottom & right hand baseboards & joins the 'up' main under the coaling stage. These cassettes are emptied/refilled from the stock boxes as required. For longer trains, 2 expresses (each consisting of 1 loco + 6 coaches) can be held on the other section of the reversing loop in addition to the cassette for shorter trains.
2. The last point I fitted was about 15 years ago, just before converting to DCC. It must have been an original 'basic' Peco Code 100 Electrofrog as this was before the design was changed with additional breaks in the switch blades & additional wiring between the frog, stock & switch rails. So all 29 of my Electrofrogs & converted Insulfrogs have been fitted with the power supply at the heel end + just nylon IRJs as required at the frog end. I cannot recall any incidents where loco wheels have shorted out on a point between the stock rail & switch rail. My only shorts on the layout have been caused by knocking over stock, not aligning wheels when putting on track or dropping a metal object across the track! I hope that Iain1491 has managed to fix his problem.
3. Fortunately after 38 years of exhibiting, both myself & the layout are in good health! Even with my other 4 helpers the stock boxes, baseboards, lights, etc have got heavier at each outing! I hope it stays that way, as in November 2022 'Crewlisle' will be exhibited at the Warley NEC show for the 6th & final time. What better high to finish exhibiting a layout than at the NEC?
Peter