I am seriously considering going to Ross Track and Switches, am curently using all Lionel and K-Line track with Lionel switches. If you are pleased with your Ross track I would like to hear from you, if you are not pleased with Ross track and switches I would also like to hear from you. I understand that Gargraves is very comparable to Ross perhaps a bit less expensive. I am new to the hobby and am looking to get an education regarding track. The biggest issue I have with Lionel is how bulky the switches are they just do not make up for a clean layout.
I’m using Ross switches with mostly Gargraves “flex” track. I also used the Lionel O27 profile O42 switches that I have. I wish I hadn’t used the Lionel’s. But I was trying to do this new layout without spending too much. I may actually replace them with Ross O42’s, as the Ross switches(O31’s) that I am using are flawless. The Lionel’s are not the greatest, they do work OK. I kind of regret using the gargraves flex(it was cheaper than the Ross straights) as I found that the Gargraves ties are thinner than the ross ties, so when the gargraves is mated to Ross, the gargraves is not in contact with the roadbed I used. So when I screwed the track down, it has a slight bow.If I can buck up enough money (and courage) I will rip out the gargraves and put Ross in it’s place.
I currently have a 14x16 layout. I am using Ross switches and cobination of Ross and Gargraves track. I have 26 switches on the layout, representing O72, O54, O31. I have a Ross 3 way switch, 2 of their Wye switches, some of the #6 switches, and even curved switches. All of them use the DZ1000 switch controller. I used the pre-curved Ross track sections and Gargraves Straight pieces. (I had a LOT of the Gargrave’s straights I had previously used for display purposes)
I have not had ANY problems with the switches at all! And they have been installed for over 4 years. They respond immediately and are extremely reliable. In the past I have used Lionel standard switches, and am definetly glad I went with Ross. I do NOT have any first hand experience with the MTH switches, but I do not anyone that has not had a lot of problems with them.
If you are planning a cross over between tracks, make sure you look at the Ross #6 switches. They will accomodate very close spacing and work well.
Finally one of the big advantages I have found is the variety of configurations available from Ross. And the ease of laying track. Very simply to make small filler pieces even in a curve if necessary. Not so with the “other” track systems.
I will stay with Ross/Gargraves on all future applications.
I am using Gargraves track and switches for my main lines. Was using Lionel O gauge switches but they kept having problems so I went to Gargraves switches and then Gargraves track.
However with Gargraves switches I have found that MTH engines don’t always like Gargraves switches. Not sure if it is a problem with the track & switch not being level or if it is a problem particular to MTH engines and Gargraves switches.
One nice thing about Gargraves and Ross Custom switches is that you don’t have to rip up your track to change a bad switch motor. You just remove the motor from the switch and unwire it and replace it. Also the Gargraves or Ross switches have a very low profile(almost even with track heigth, even look more realistic) and will allow almost any size engine or passenger car to go through without any problems.
The local 3 rail club down here uses Ross switches with Gargraves flex track. I had asked them about using Gargraves switches and they had used them at one time but said that the Ross switches were far more durable. Apparently their criteria is to be able to run a scale Boig Boy over them at full speed without tearing them up. They said that over time the GG switches would literally fall apart from this whereas the Ross have been durable. I have no experience with them though so that is just info that they passed on.
The nice thing about Ross switches is that they have the largest variety available. There is a very slight difference in tie height between Ross and GG but it isn’t very much at all and is easy to work with. The combination of GG flex track and Ross switches may very well be the most popular option out there for those who get away from Lionel track. If you take the time to paint and ballast it, it can look fantastic.
Like 67flh mentioned about using Ross Custom switches, do they work well with MTH diesel & MTH Rdg. T-1 (4-8-4) engines? In all fairness Gargraves works about half the time with my MTH engines, when it don’t it causes a derailment at the switch.
I am thinking about up-grading to Ross Custom switches for at least three Gargraves switches that are giving me some problems.
We have Ross turnouts of several different dimensions on our family layout, and have had no problems whatsoever.
Since we have an almost 100% Lionel roster, I cannot speak to cross-brand compatibility, but I what I CAN tell you is that we have engines and rolling stock representing just about every phase of Lionel production, from the 1920s right up to the 2000s, all of which take Ross turnouts with no trouble at all
The only caveat is the hanging slide shoe. We usually glue these up to get them out of the way, since they tend to catch on Gargraves turnouts. That has not been much of a problem on Ross turnouts–except the O72 Wye, which likes to activate them as they go through.