The screws go completely through the ties and into a conductor of some sort I assume? Perhaps a strip of sheet metal concealed by the roadbed?
Sounds like a pretty neat idea. The crossing part with the longer studs I am picturing; the switches seem to need more than just longer studs in the picture I am drawing in my head. I am thinking parts of the switch need to be isolated or shorted to the stud rail depending on the position of the switch. Nothing a bit of trial and error won't cure (along with a relay or DPDT switch maybe?)
And of course I've been wrong before. I do hope you will post your progress on this project as it sounds interesting to me.
J White
