A Question About Gargraves Track...

One of the advantages of the disconnected outer rails is you can easily use it to detect train occupancy for block signals, crossing signals, and many other accessories.

It is also adventitious to link both outer rails for better electrical continuity, especially through turnouts and such.

bmoran4 posted:

One of the advantages of the disconnected outer rails is you can easily use it to detect train occupancy for block signals, crossing signals, and many other accessories.

It is also adventitious to link both outer rails for better electrical continuity, especially through turnouts and such.

I agree w/ bmoran4 ! it is best to tie the outer rails (or common ) sides together to also provide a better “SIGNAL” path for TMCC & LEGACY operation!!!

I have  a GG layout. Most stretches of track is tied together - running rail to running rail - but that is mostly incidental, and happened over many years.

BUT - near switches it is a good idea to run a jumper between the running rails, as loss of common is  not uncommon (cute) in these areas (and my layout also has electrical blocks). Some of the "dead" places on switches are caused by loss of common (ground) rather than by pickup roller issues. This issue is compounded by traction tires.

I have never perceived any TMCC issue with un-jumped rails. Heck, this old layout even handles my DCS Remote Commander (mostly).

Plus - any typical 3RO metal wheel/axle unit jumps the running rails anyway.

And that isn’t a stupid question, Mark. The question and answers are useful. In fact, I’d edit the subject to say “An outer rails connection question about Gargraves track.”

Good topic.

Jim R. posted:

And that isn’t a stupid question, Mark. The question and answers are useful. In fact, I’d edit the subject to say “An outer rails connection question about Gargraves track.”

Good topic.

I agree.  Good info.   No dumb questions around here

Thanks. I have changed the title a little... 

Mark in Oregon

You guys will get a kick out of this, I'm sure...

It occurred to me that since the outer rails are insulated, couldn't one run wires to those rails and run DC 2 rail?

I guess the answer is "yes"...

Okay, you can kick me off the forum now... 

Mark in Oregon

Note that common/outside rails, near switches, a small isolated section is used to trigger, auto-non-derail of the switch. 

Switch operation an important part of any layout.   Also dead spots in switches or switch combinations can be addressed with latching relays and logical power routing.    Check information provided by switch manufactures. 

Strummer posted:

You guys will get a kick out of this, I'm sure...

 

It occurred to me that since the outer rails are insulated, couldn't one run wires to those rails and run DC 2 rail?

I guess the answer is "yes"...

Okay, you can kick me off the forum now... 

Mark in Oregon

I have friends who use gargraves track exactly this way. They run two rail or three rail as they please. Works great.

RoyBoy posted:

Strummer posted:

You guys will get a kick out of this, I'm sure...

 

It occurred to me that since the outer rails are insulated, couldn't one run wires to those rails and run DC 2 rail?

I guess the answer is "yes"...

Okay, you can kick me off the forum now... 

Mark in Oregon

I have friends who use gargraves track exactly this way. They run two rail or three rail as they please. Works great.

I'm a little surprised in that I thought the shape of the rails might not be compatible with scale wheels...good to know I'm not the only one who thought of this. 

Mark in Oregon

The rails on Gargraves are T-shaped, like real 1:1 rails. Scale wheels work fine on GG track.

In my earlier days of repairing trains I ran into strange problem with Gargraves track. I told a friend of mine, an elderly gentleman, that I would fix his train for a cup of coffee. It was a Lionel 2-4-2 scout engine with the split plastic motor that had the reverse-unit built into the side of the motor housing. To clean the brushes you remove 2 screws and a plate and remove the two drums that also hold the brushes and springs. I tore this engine apart at least 3 times going over everything that I did but after putting it back together it would not cycle the reverse unit. Finally I had to wonder if the track had anything to do with. Put the engine on a circle Lionel 027 track and it worked perfectly. It seems as thought the Gargraves track would not carry the field across the wheels that was needed for that engine to cycle. I learned how to make those little engines run like new but never did get my cup of coffee. When the fellow came for his train he must have been really excited to have it work again because he forgot to bring the coffee with him. Other than that I think Gargraves is great.