Thoughts and comments?
Original Post
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Track choice has been discussed alot on the forum. Comes down to the individual. Both Ross and Gar Graves are good. Ross switches are on the pricey side but very reliable and worth the money. So what it comes down to is looks, price and availibility. Plus your budget. Also with Ross you get alot of different radius switches and with Gar Graves you get alot of track radius choices or you can bend your own .....Paul 2
If you use Ross or GG track along with Ross switches you are in safe territory.
I can't say enough good about Ross Custom Switches. They are very reliable and very seldom derail a train trailing through them. In fact, I don't remember the last time that happened. It may cost more but RCS will give back a lot of good operation.
This subject has been discussed so much on this forum if you just go to search and search your subject, you’re going to have enough verbiage to read for three or four hours.
Jim Lawson
I have mostly Gargraves flex track and Gargraves switches on my layout. I used Ross switches where there was no Gargraves switch that would do the job. I also have some Ross and Gargraves sectional curves here and there. Newer Gargraves switches are not as bad as the old ones with sheet metal points, but they are not as good as Ross. If cost is no object, get Ross switches.
If you use alcohol as a wetting agent when you ballast, the coloring in Ross track and switches will bleed into the ballast. Looks a like there was an oil spill.
How are these?
No color bleeding with GG plastic ties. Plus plastic bends easier.
Either. Both. The best.
Using both on my own layout. Nary a problem, always helpful, friendly when called upon.
Both made in the U.S.A........hooray! Stock always available. Prices competitive....(Check Ross's advertisements, for example.)
Did you know that Ross actually lists Gargraves flex track on their product listing for ordering?
These guys are so compatible, complementary, dependable, successful, and friendly I still have this image of them getting together periodically in the back room of some pub about halfway on I-90 between Rochester, NY, and Norwich, CT.....say, around Schenectady or Albany?.....to toast each others success, slap high fives, discuss the hobby's future needs/direction, plan for continued compatibility, chuckle over the frustrations and foibles of off-shore producers, etc., etc..
And why not?
KD
RCS is spiked, Gargraves is embedded in the ties, or at least they were the last time I had any.
Since I've gone to 2-rail track I haven't really looked, but does RCS make flex track now? I used RCS switches and curved sections and Gargraves flex track on my last 3-rail layout.
Boy, KD really touched on something. Ross and GG are two of the nicest and most compatible folks in the business.
Bob Delbridge posted:RCS is spiked, Gargraves is embedded in the ties, or at least they were the last time I had any.
Since I've gone to 2-rail track I haven't really looked, but does RCS make flex track now? I used RCS switches and curved sections and Gargraves flex track on my last 3-rail layout.
Not unless it's just not on the website: http://rossswitches.com/trackproducts.aspx
I'm using the Gargraves flex track with the Ross switches.
Each has a different track pin. One is smaller than the other, which can cause a loose electrical connection. The larger Gargraves track pin can be forced into the Ross track/switch. There may be a transition pins/I don't know.
A topic that has truly been beaten to death...when budget is an issue, buy GG. If not, buy Ross. Here's a variation of the question: What about USED GG versus USED Ross? Maybe you don't buy used track or turnouts. If so, bully for you! But I do (or did--I have all I need at this point). It's useful to know that in the late 90's or early 2K's, GG changed all off its' switch tooling and the geometry of GG switches changed significantly. So you have to watch for this--there is LOTS of REALLY OLD GG track and turnouts out there. Better to avoid the older stuff if possible. But even then, It usually takes just a few minutes of filing/bending/tweaking to bring even the oldest stuff up to spec. If you email GG, they will link you to a chart that shows the exact dimensions of all their turnouts before and after the retooling.
Then, with USED GG or Ross switches, what switch machines are you using? I have seen bargain Ross turnouts on eBay and elsewhere where the seller did not seem to realize that a 2500 switch machine was worth more than a 1K --or even NO--switch machine. So be alert--bargains are out there.
When I was buying, I watchd for USED CURVED Ross switches 054-072 and up with 2500 machines. And you would be surprised at the low prices I paid...but you have to be patient.
Always try to buy USED stuff from TRUSTED sellers--or with buyer protection from eBay or PayPal. Sometimes they just RRRRIIIPPPPED up the track, used a stock photo and then they send you junk with loose rails and even pieces missing. MAKE SURE you can return it with THEM paying the return postage.
Big dealers sometimes have overstocks that they "liquidate" on eBay as USED when it is brand new but the box had been opened. Big bargains can be had. But you have to be watching constantly to latch onto them.
Most turnouts on my layout (still abuildin') are used Ross, all picked up in one sale, in boxes with 2500 switch machines for $25 each. Most of them had never been used. I don't expect to see a find like that again. Dumb luck.
Don
Yep....this subject has been discussed a multitude of times! Like it was said earlier in the thread, a search will yield hours of reading. Generally these topics start to compare with a slant on the negative...this one has not so far thus I think enough said. There are enough differences between the two products that meet the needs and budgets of their customers.
