Short across the frog DCC

Take some time to study what is said about turnout wiring for DCC...

Look here http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm

This from Bachmann's manual for their Dynamis (DCC) system:

"For best results on a DCC layout, turnouts that do not self isolate are required. (Self isolating turnouts are those that enable a train to be parked in a siding on a DC layout when the turnout is closed against it.) Ideally the whole layout should be live so that trains stationary in sidings can have lights on and make sound." 

Thanks for the replies fellas!  I read the article and simply wired the frog to the #4 spot on my tortoise and BAM...no more problems!

DCC is very manageable once you get accustomed to it...that reference I gave you is full of good learning on the subject...

Bob

Atlas 2-rail turnouts have any isolated frog, which has a lug you connect to the SPDT contact on your tortoise motor to connect it to the appropriate rail when the points are thrown a particular way. If the frog isn't wired to anything, it sounds like it might be touching one or more of the closure rails or the rails past the frog. Either one of those situations would give you a short.

Happens to us sometimes in the 3-rail world.

"....Ideally the whole layout should be live so that trains stationary in sidings can have lights on and make sound." 

Yes and no IMO. 

Blocks within a power blocks will help you find shorts. 

Blocks for stored illuminated passenger cars help relieve amp draw,

Blocks are absolutely needed to store conventional locos on the track with DC/DCS systems. 

Atlas switch tips are on the money. 

Wise move, Tortoise over the Atlas motor unit. 

Those are nice Matt...I'm going to be ordering a few of those.  That definitely makes wiring easier, I hadn't seen those before.

Chris