I am gradually converting my layout to Gargraves after creating the basic setup in traditional lionel 0-31. At present there are three independent loops running off of independent transformers. I run a mixture of eras, mostly pre-war with a ‘Polar Express’ representing my salute to the modern era.
At some time I MAY want to interconnect two or more loops, or add sidings.
I have seen many references to using Ross switches with Gargraves track, but few references to Gargraves switches. Why?
There are no train shops with knowlegable people to talk to in my area so this forum is my source. ( A darn fine one at that!) Opinions and information appreciated.
For quite a while Ross made the switches for Gargraves. I believe (you need to verify) that Ross has more selection than Gargraves. Also check out the various curved tracks that are available, either company is great, pick and choose as your need requires. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
Never. I have examples of each type of GarGraves switches made from the 1940’s on, none were made outside of New York State or by anyone other than Graves, Gardner, or Roder(or their families/employees).
GarGraves does, or did, make rail for Ross(& Curtis), however.
I have switches from both manufacurers. The ross have a hand-made look, they have a lot of different diameter switches and offer curved switches, 3 and 4 way and double crossovers. visit their site to see the variety, you may be surprised at what they can do. they tend to be larger, even for the smaller diameter 0-42 switches they are larger pieces…and they cost more. The gg are more plastically-look and feel and side by side you know the difference, pricewise as well.
converting from tubular to GG track, if you currently have no switches to speak of, fitting a GG switch into the layout size-wise, without a lot of cutting may be your way to go.
They both use the Zstuff switch machines.
hope this helps
ralph
Buy one of each and see which works for you. which ever you ultimately choose, you can sell the “looser” on ebay and get your money back, no problem.
I will yield to the knowledge, no problem. But I would swear that in the 70’s gargraves offered track, and a very limited assortment of switches that were outsourced.
I collected gargraves and ross switches to convert my layout also. aside from the much greater variety of items ross makes I have found the ross switches to be smoother and more reliable in operation than the gargraves. however the gargraves switches were much better than the 1122 lionel switches I replaced. eventually I replaced all with ross. I think ross has a nicer look also.
Do a search on the forum for gargraves or ross and you will find a lot of threads on this issue. There was one that was very long describing various pros and cons about the different switches. I’m collecting some Ross switches now to be used with gg track when I start my next layout…
I changed over to GarGraves track for both my O gauge & S gauge track, have found it to be more realistic looking than regular tubular track. I ordered DZ1000 switches from Ross Custom Switches, also GarGraves now makes insulating pins for their track and are avaible at larger hobby shops, down here Ready To Roll in north Miami has most of GarGraves track & switches and some Ross switches in stock.
I got tired of the Lionel 6-23010 series switches going bonkers on me with my Williams locomotives, so I switched to GarGraves switches, then to GarGraves track. My layout is 8ft. by 12ft. with a second level of 6ft by 4ft.
If you run mostly prewar, I would be very careful about using Gargraves switches.
I recently introduced a 100Radius Gargraves manual switch and track for a siding into my 031 lionel layout. My prewar tinplate always derails over this switch - the tinplate’s deeper wheel flanges are not accommodated by the shallow Gargraves frogs; also the guides along the side of the rails don’t have enough of a ‘return’ and the wheels catch on them insead of being guided by them. Early postwar with sliding shoes doesn’t like them either
I’m thinking of going with Atlas ‘O’. Their switches look well built and seem to let the prewar stuff track ok (in the store at least), even if they are not as realistic looking in my opinion.
The word is Ross makes a better switch, however I built my current layout in 1980/81 with GG track and switches, had to do some track alignment on some switches but have never had a problem with them once in service. Ross are built to look nicer, and cost more than GG so you won’t go wrong either way.