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Reply to "What Problems Do Gargrave Switches Pose?"

Hi Wild Mary

 

I have a layout that uses Gargraves 0-100 turnouts . They are a combination of older types, ie some short blackened point version and the remained the next generation stamped sheet metal points. I agree with other posters that the stamped sheet metal point versions require some tweaking to get them to work right, sort of like what you had to do with Atlas HO turnouts to fine tune them. I have some that i have adjusted for flawless operation that will allow operation without derailments without any switch machine attached. For Some turnouts, some engines sort of clunk through them. I think the area in the guard rail or frog may be two deep and needs some shimming. I have had a few where the guard rails have come loose. Some ACC will usually attach these again and solve the problem. I have not experienced the shoe problem with postwar equipment. I did recently have one turnout that worked fine for all my locos until i bought a Williams by Bachman scale GG1. The pilot truck wheels were not happy with the point spacing and i replaced the turnout with another GG 0-100 of the stamped sheet metal points that seems to work ok with this loco. Interestingly, The same engine from a previous run seemed to work fine on that turnout and it looked to me like WBB has put some more play in the pilot truck by allowing side to side play of wheels on the axle. I have not used the new version with the cast points.

 

I am building a second layout in a second home and this time i have bought the Ross equivalent turnout . These are very smooth in operation  and I am inclined to think that the optimum cost/ performance solution might be to use the Ross version on mainline turnouts and Gargraves in yards and off the main.

 

I have been able to use the older Gargraves turnouts satisfactorily with some tweaking and proper installation. I would think that the cast point versions should work equally as good or better perhaps.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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