Problems with turnout motors/switches

[nachoman]

Depends on the transformer. Most have some kind of overload protection to prevent ruining in the event of a short circuit. I have even seen some cheap train set power packs with cheap thermal circuit breakers. It's possible you damaged it through incorrect wiring, but I think unlikely. What brand of power pack is this?

Turnout motors as you describe are basically two electromagnets (the atlas ones are as well). They are only designed to take a momentary current (just long enough to switch the tracks). I have no experience with hornby or peco motors, but I know the atlas ones will burn out if current is applied for more than a few seconds. One of the two magnets will burn out, and then it will only switch in one direction. Incorrect wiring, a short circuit, or a faulty push button could cause the motor to stay on too long and burn out.