Gargraves Operating Track

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.

I looked up the 111, and while I don't currently use one, I used to have one. It takes the place of a lockon or a soldered track connection. It can feed variable power to the train, and fixed power to the accessory.

Here's how it works:

It has three screw terminals, each connected to one of the rails. It takes advantage of the fact that gargraves and ross have wooden ties, unlike the old lionel, which had metal ties.  So if you want to use an insulated rail to activate a crossing gate or a semaphore, you can just put an insulated pin at each end of the rail, and connect a common wire from the screws terminal to the signal. Your transformer needs a set of common terminals, and a fixed voltage tap for accessories.

First of all, this is my first attempt at using a online forum.... and WOW! Trainman2, Thanks for all the information! I wasn't expecting such a fast response! Very helpful! 

One question on the #108.   Not sure I completely understand....Why would I need a second uncoupler? 

Thanks again! 

mwalz posted:

First of all, this is my first attempt at using a online forum.... and WOW! Trainman2, Thanks for all the information! I wasn't expecting such a fast response! Very helpful! 

One question on the #108.   Not sure I completely understand....Why would I need a second uncoupler? 

Thanks again! 

 

Sorry, I  was a little vague. I meant that if you wanted to park a string of cars on a track that is going to be used by both slide shoe and plunger cars, the "uncoupler" on the 108 will be in an awkward position relative to where the engine couples to the first car, so you might need to add that second uncoupler so you can park the string of cars and the engine can be on its way to its next assignment.

Now, as I said, real dump cars normally have to be coupled to an engine to operate, but you might want to drop off some "empties", and later have another engine take them off to the coal loader.

Well, I never would have thought about that! Good Point! 

Thanks again! Starting the wiring soon....(my weakest skill) I'm sure you will be seeing more questions soon from me!

Hey Trainman2, I noticed in your biography that you work in the railroad industry. Just curious, I grew up in Nebraska. Are there any O - Gauge boxcars with Nebraska on them?? Was there never a "Nebraska Train Line". ?? 

Mwalz, I haven't used any of the operating track items in question.  I just want to welcome you to the OGR Forum and the hobby of O gauge trains.

There are three railroads today that have "Nebraska" in their name:

Nebraska Central, Nebraska Kansas Colorado, and Nebraska Northwestern.

I don't recall seeing models of these, at least not in O Scale, but if you're adventurous enough, you could paint and decal these names onto your equipment. You might need to have the decals custom made, so you can search for "custom o scale decals" on the web.

You would need some photos if the real thing if you want to do that.

In 2003 Lionel issued the "I love....." series of state boxcars, and all 50 states were represented. If you can find these cars today, they are around $100.

Thanks! I will be googling Nebraska Central RR!

Hey MWALZ, welcome to the forum.  I can't see if you are in Nebraska or not,  I am in Lincoln.  As for cars with Nebraska I have 4 different makes, (not for sale).  Most recently Lionel made the Ready Mix cement co. Located in Lincoln,  2 different car numbers.  The Lionel I Love Nebraska,  the K-line state quarter cars and MTH made a Nebraska corn products.  Here are pics of the 3, my K-line car is packed in a box. Nick T.  

I know this has nothing to do with the Gargraves track but I looked in my past photos and found some pics of the little Nebkota railline in Chadron.  They even have a little round house and table. I'll stop bugging you now, have a good evening.  Nick T.  

Hi Nick T,

Thanks for the Nebraska photos! Hard to believe there aren't more impressive locomotives representing our amazing state of Nebraska. I grew up in Hartington and I moved to Boston after college. Still live outside Boston. Thanks again for taking the time to send these photos! 

Just a quick note that the 108 was revised after its initial introduction.  The part no. did not change but the shape of the magnet (circular to rectangular) and the height of the control rails (raised slightly in the newer version) changed to provide more reliable operation IIRC.--I'm sure the 108 changed, but not positive about the particulars.

Your on the best help forum in O Guage model railroading. For years I used the Gargraves phantom rail flexible track, and did use several sections on my layout, however I went with their pre-curved sections, 072-080-090-0108-0120, which are very nice. I also used Ross track and switches and am well pleased with both. My main line track however is Atlas O, it’s solid rail and very reliable and they now make a variety of wide radius curves and have much better quality than in the late nineties when I began my layout.  Gargraves is a great track, however it will kink if you are not extra careful, and do not drop a heavy engine on the track it will dent. Good luck in building your layout and keep us updated on your progress.  Happy Railroading.