RoyBoy posted:If you really must isolate the two tracks, then you will need an extra pickup on the loco. You can put one under the tender or in a dedicated freight or passenger car following the engine. It will need its own pickup and be wired to the loco.
Troubleshooting remotely I wouldn't immediately blame the locomotive until we know that the track is wired appropriately for the scenario. Information provided thus far seems to indicate that the center section has not been fully isolated as necessary for the desired operation.
