I have a Caboose with a metal chassie
If it derailed and made a connection between the two tracks could this short out my DCC control?
It sure will, but the chances of the frame/ chassis contacting both rails with the trucks in the way is slim to none. Also if it has metal trucks/ wheelsets, you need to make sure that the insulators on the axles are all on the same side.
In a word, yes. But it would have to stop in such a way that the metal chassis would have to contact both rails. In reality, the trucks and car body would most likely prevent this, BUT, there is always Murphies law. Ken
I have lots of rolling stock with a metal chassis, and even some really old cars with metal sides, and have never had an instance of one of them derailing and shorting out the track. Even if one did, the DCC system’s internal circuit breaker would simply shut the system down until the short was removed, and nothing would be harmed, so there’s nothing to worry about.
Now, if you were running DC block control with a cheapo toy train power pack that did not have internal circuit protection, that could be dangerous.