mwalz posted:Please bear with me....I am in the process of building my first layout. Using 0-Gauge Flexible Gargraves with Ross Switches. I am struggling with understanding the difference between these Gargraves "Operating Tracks".
#107 Phantom Tinplate Remote Control Magnetic Uncoupling Section
#108 Phantom Tinplate Remote Control Magnetic UC / UL for operating cars
#108EM Same as #108 but with the magnet on the end
#111 Phantom Tinplate Terminal / Accessory Control Section
#117 Phantom Tinplate (compact version) Remote Control Magnetic Uncoupling Section
1. What does #111 actually control?
2. Why would I want #108EM that has the magnet on the end?
3. If @#117 is magnetic.... can you also use it for a Lionel operating car, like the X3464 Operating Box Car that has a man that pops out of the door when the magnetic plunger is above the operating track? Or is this track section for Uncoupling only?
4. Completely unrelated.... but can anyone tell me how to create a grade crossing with the Gargraves track? Does Gargraves produce a grade crossing?
Thanks, mwalz
I haven't used a 111 yet, but as for the other questions,
108EM is so you can take a car that has slide shoes, like a milk car or cattle car, run it up to the unloading platform, and uncouple it in place, which would not be possible if the uncoupler was in the center.
The 108 is used because some dump cars have slide shoes, while others have the plunger in the middle. You would need a second uncoupler to uncouple the car from the train in this case. If you want to mix and match dump cars, this is the section you want. In the real world, dump cars work by compressed air, and normally have to be coupled to the engine to work, so uncoupling won't be necessary in this case.
The 117 is what I use, and yes, it will operate the cars with the plungers, I use it that way myself. It's used in lieu of the 107 in places where you might want an uncoupler at the start of a spur track that is used for storage but not for operating cars. The 107 would be used on the main or with an accessory that only uses cars with plungers.
As for the grade crossing, I believe Ross makes kits for this.
