Another very happy Gargraves track, Ross switches person here. American made, very friendly/helpful staff, complementary products (Ross lists certain Gargraves items in their catalog/website that complement their product line without duplicating), excellent quality, competitive pricing (watch for the Ross ad comparing $$ to a popular off-shore brand), etc., etc.. Yes, Ross' genesis was in switches....now an extremely extensive line...,but now they have sectional track, too.
But I chose Gargraves track for another reason.....consistent appearance.
Gargraves is the only one of these two suppliers to have the flex track. While that's not necessary if you're laying long tangent (straight) trackwork, it is truly a godsend if you're trying to fit transitional curves into a free-form layout arrangement. OTOH, using GG flex track to make standard curves, while not impossible, is a lot of work to get consistent curvature and has some inherent waste associated with the process. So, for those portions of the layout using standard dimensional curves, I elected to use sectional preformed track.
Now BOTH Ross and Gargraves make sectional track in a variety of curvatures. However, Ross uses their standard technique of staples ('spikes') to fasten the rails to the wood ties, whereas GG uses additional stringers embedded and glued to the bottom of the wood ties to hold the curvature.
Since there is sufficient GG flex track throughout my rather large layout, I considered that the main track work would have a more consistent appearance if the preformed pieces also did not have the staples ('spikes'). So I used sectional GG track for that reason.
Then, too, I really like the plethora of 'spikes' in the Ross switches. It tends to celebrate (Norm Abrams term, not mine!) the switches, which they certainly deserve. But, if you look at prototype switches, the rail supports are beefier of necessity than just spikes. They stand out in appearance more significantly. So, I think the Ross switches have their own prototypical justification in appearance.
All in all, you will be pleased to build an O3R layout with either/both of these suppliers. We are truly blessed to have them a mainstays in our branch of model railroading. I've had more than a couple folks modeling in HO comment to me that they wish their branch of the hobby had TWO complementing AMERICAN suppliers of the quality, reliability, always-availability of Gargraves and Ross. And, you know?.........they're absolutely right!!!
KD
