Having recently purchased and installed 2 of the 55081s [as I couldn't get the superseded 55080s], I am a bit concerned by this quote. What were the 'issues' with the 55081 you refer to?
I only use the 55081 in its short circuit mode [ie exactly like the 55080]. I saw the 55085 advertised in the LGB 2014 new items brochure, but there was not a clear description of how it differed from the earlier versions. It did say that it replaced the short circuit mode. However, while I would have liked to use the non-short circuit mode in the 55081, the need to add the extra short lengths of track and extra wiring, to accommodate this, made it impractical. Does anyone know how the 55085 is used in this regard? ie does it still retain the short circuit option and/or does its non-short circuit option still require the extra track sections - a la 55081?
Also, what are the Massoth equivalents and do they require the extra track pieces?