Hi Phil
The quality an variety of Ross switches make Gargraves and Ross a great combination. There are differences with ScaleTrax. How you judge those differences will depend on what you are looking for in a track system.
To answer you questions directly:
1. ScaleTrax has true O scale ties that are smaller in height and width when compared to Gargraves. Scaletrax rail is smaller too. In fact, Scaletrax has the closest to scale rail of any 3 rail track system. ScaleTrax rail is 0.193 inches tall. The rail used in 2 rail O to model most contemporary rail is 0.148" tall and older O scale rail based on heavy duty PRR rail is 0.172" tall. ScaleTrax also solid nickel silver outside rails and a thin darkened center rail. Gargraves has hollow rail formed from sheet steel for all three rails.
2. It can be mated up with Gargraves track but not without a little extra work. The scale ties and lower rail height mean that ScaleTrax has a lower profile than Gargraves track. You would have to shim ScaleTrax up match rail head height and then but the sections together.
3. Ditto for Ross track.
4. Ditto for Ross turnouts.
If you are interested in finding out more about ScaleTrax I recommend watching Rich Battista's videos on his Black Diamond RR.
http://www.toytrainsontracks.com/
Check your OGR back issues for Run 251 from last summer for my brother Dave's article on tips and techniques for working with Scaletrax.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...ge&v=WyrusjeqPAA
Dave has given clinics on working with Scaletrax at the MTH booth at the York TCA show. If you are going to York keep an eye on the MTH clinic schedule.
Dave is building the Northwest Trunk Lines layout with ScaleTrax. Since some track configurations are not commercially available with ScaleTrax Dave and I have hand laid some of the track in special areas with O scale wood ties and ScaleTrax rail. That sspecial track work includes the NWTLs Gold Spike section....
as well as inspection pits, bridges and 10 curved trunouts built with Ross frogs to Ross patterns.
There is also a dual gauge 3 rail O/2 rail On30 siding laid with code 148 rail that transitions back to ScaleTrax.
There is a lot to like about Scaletrax, especially if you want to use flex track. ScaleTrax flex track is the most flexible 3 rail O track available and techniques used in 2 rail O and HO work well with it. Keep an eye out for updates to the thread on the NWTL.
