Help with new Layout questions form a Newbie

Todd Poole posted:

Hi and thank you for your help with the following questions..

I am looking to do something on a high rail layout with Ross switches and gargraves track.  My min radius is 054 hopefully.  I plan on going with Tmcc..

So a couple questions...

The larger to scale ross switches are labeled #4, #6 ect. They look like angled switches, without radius curves? Am I right?

Correct on the switches.  This is a common prototype practice.

A minimum radius of O54 would be pretty good, and even better yet if you can use easements with it.  Your locos and cars will both look better and operate better with easements.

As far as the signals, sorry.  I can't help you there, as I have no experience with them.

Todd Poole posted:

Hi and thank you for your help with the following questions..

I am looking to do something on a high rail layout with Ross switches and gargraves track.  My min radius is 054 hopefully.  I plan on going with Tmcc..

Depends on how large the layout will be - if you can use standard sized curves - use the sectional - using GG flex is requires advanced knowledge and techniques through experience 

So a couple questions...

The larger to scale ross switches are labeled #4, #6 ect. They look like angled switches, without radius curves? Am I right?

The numbered switches are a curve - but a slight radius like the real thing - #4 = 14° radius, #6 is 9.5°

Also what type of ross do folks like the Premier of the other style? Pros, Cons...

premier is the plug-n-play - choose the motor/controller to suit your needs - best for newbs - the DZ2500 can be directly addressed with TMCC/Legacy - the DZ1000 requires another device to operate them remotely - an ASC or an SC-2

I'm also planning to put a good number of track signals in of all types. Eric Segal of Erics trains has an amazing tutorial using atlas products that is very convincing to go the atlas route.  Although many folks seem to use Z-stuff gear. The Z-stuff web site is hard on the tech side for a newbie, they don't "dumb" anything down for the new guys. So my question here is: Does the Z-stuff for trains have the flexibility to do everything the atlas track signals do? It seems Z-stuff use light sensors for detection, and I want realism in operations and that would have lights reacting to oncoming trains using isolated rails as shown by Eric in his Atlas videos. I don't see the value of signals changing when a train is directly next to it or directly underneath it. Comments, suggestions?

If you are going to make the effort to install signals, they can be made to operate somewhat like real trains for only a little more effort. The z-stuff makes that easy. The value is the "play" value - noticing that they change as a real railroad controls the trains.

Have a great day!

Todd Poole

Ferrisburgh VT. 

Mixed Freight posted:

Todd Poole posted:

Hi and thank you for your help with the following questions..

I am looking to do something on a high rail layout with Ross switches and gargraves track.  My min radius is 054 hopefully.  I plan on going with Tmcc..

So a couple questions...

The larger to scale ross switches are labeled #4, #6 ect. They look like angled switches, without radius curves? Am I right?

Correct on the switches.  This is a common prototype practice.

A minimum radius of O54 would be pretty good, and even better yet if you can use easements with it.  Your locos and cars will both look better and operate better with easements.

As far as the signals, sorry.  I can't help you there, as I have no experience with them.

Thanks for the note about easements! I had no Idea about them, but after some quick research, It looks like I'll just go with flex track and put in easements! Thanks for that tip! I think flex track is actually cheaper than sectional and I'll have less clictyl clackity...

Thank you Carl and Mixed Freight. You have helped me cement some final decisions on track:  Ross switches and flex track, Z-stuff signals and Dz2500 motors for the switches.  Carl mentioned that CG flex can be a tough learning curve (no pun intended). Is Ross flex better or should I just go with Atlas flex or is all Flex 3 rail a challenge to shape?

Todd P. 

Todd Poole posted:

Thank you Carl and Mixed Freight. You have helped me cement some final decisions on track:  Ross switches and flex track, Z-stuff signals and Dz2500 motors for the switches.  Carl mentioned that CG flex can be a tough learning curve (no pun intended). Is Ross flex better or should I just go with Atlas flex or is all Flex 3 rail a challenge to shape?

Todd P. 

Sorry Todd, weather is finally nice here, so outdoor stuff needed attention.

If you want to work with flex track, Gargraves should be the choice. Atlas flex is tough to bend, I don't believe Ross has a flex track. I can only tell you that you are choosing a difficult construction method. Learning the techniques of this build and the small nuances may take more time than you want it to and cause frustration.

There are videos on the 'net and many posts on this forum to learn what you need to know. It could easily be a 2-3 year project, depending on this size of the layout, to get to Benchwork, Roadbed and track down.

There are a few build threads going on now that you can look at to gain some perspective and knowledge. The challenge will be fun and rewarding.

Todd,

The 2 easiest flex tracks to bend are GarGraves and ScaleTrax. If you follow the videos on the GarGraves website and make the appropriate templates like the ones they show, you should be okay. However, if you make the mistake of trying to bend them without the templates, you will almost undoubtedly end up with some areas that bind with larger engines. Spend the money on plywood for the templates and you won't be sorry. I don't have links, but there are examples here of layouts built entirely with GarGraves flex track and Ross switches. Mike CT is one of the resident experts on bending GG track.

Todd I have to agree with Moonman. Sectional track w/ clikity clack is where it's at!!! Merry Christmas