End of challenge update.
I was able to re-isolate the wheels/rails so no more shorting, but unfortunately it seems the decoder got fried. It was just a temporary Z2 until I get the proper ESU LokPilot Nano.
Other than that, it's basically ready for paint. So I suppose if I win, the prize will go toward the LokPilot Nano so I can finish it out.
Thanks for watching progress, and now that we have a break down of the
ZShorty for N Scale, I look forward to seeing what The Railwire can do with it next!