Track compatibility

Gargraves track is tubular, just with flat-topped rail. They sell mating pins to connect their track to O and O-=27 tubular track. If Flyer tubular pins match the diameter of either O or O-27 pins, then it's conceivable that you could use those to transition from Flyer to Gargraves  and back.

---PCJ

Track can always be combined if the gauge is the same.    It is just a matter of home much work is needed to connect the two types.     Last time I checked Gargraves website, they had S gauge product.    I have used their O Gauge product in the past and it worked out fine for me.  

When using two different types, you are almost always going to have to shim one or the other at a minimum.   If you wire power on either side of the joint you can sometimes mate them without using track pins, which saves effort.

I have modeled in S since the middle 50's and when I was running AF track also used some Gargraves.  At that time the track pins for Gragraves inserted into the AF track.  As I recall the AF pins were slightly wider than the Gargraves but would mate with Gargraves very snuggly.  AIRC Gargraves has thicker ties than AF, but easily shimed.  There is a separate thread that shows pictures of AF and Gargraves on this S site.  You might want to check this. Sorry, I always think of these things in the middle of my post).  Enjoy your trains!  Also check the NASG site:  www.nasg.org

DRGWno1

GarGraves makes sectional and flex track in S gauge. The rail is the same .220" tall as the original Gilbert track. GarGraves and Gilbert track mate, as mentioned above the pins are slightly different, but that does no matter. Many S gauge operators use GarGraves flex track with Gilbert turnouts.

Lionel makes a 5" adapter section for mating FasTrack to Gilbert or GarGraves track. The most common use of these adapter sections is to allow use of the FasTrack 27" radius turnouts with GarGraves flex or with 27"R K-Line S gauge curves. These K-Line wide radius curves look like Gilbert track.

@RailRide posted:

Gargraves track is tubular, just with flat-topped rail. They sell mating pins to connect their track to O and O-=27 tubular track. If Flyer tubular pins match the diameter of either O or O-27 pins, then it's conceivable that you could use those to transition from Flyer to Gargraves  and back.

---PCJ

Thanks.  I also have a small two train O guage layout with Menards and Lionel FasTrack, again running only one type for each line, that I want to add on to.  Maybe I’ll fool around with this using some mating pins.  

@prrjim posted:

Track can always be combined if the gauge is the same.    It is just a matter of home much work is needed to connect the two types.     Last time I checked Gargraves website, they had S gauge product.    I have used their O Gauge product in the past and it worked out fine for me. 

When using two different types, you are almost always going to have to shim one or the other at a minimum.   If you wire power on either side of the joint you can sometimes mate them without using track pins, which saves effort.

Good info, especially the advice on how much work it might take.   I guess like everywhere, the problem with Standards is the second ‘s’.  Thanks

Here an an old picture of Gilbert turnouts and uncouplers mated to GarGraves track. No adapter pins are needed, they just connect together using the installed track pins, which are flat, not round.

@AmFlyer posted:

GarGraves makes sectional and flex track in S gauge. The rail is the same .220" tall as the original Gilbert track. GarGraves and Gilbert track mate, as mentioned above the pins are slightly different, but that does no matter. Many S gauge operators use GarGraves flex track with Gilbert turnouts.

Lionel makes a 5" adapter section for mating FasTrack to Gilbert or GarGraves track. The most common use of these adapter sections is to allow use of the FasTrack 27" radius turnouts with GarGraves flex or with 27"R K-Line S gauge curves. These K-Line wide radius curves look like Gilbert track.

This is good news for me. Especially since part of what I like to do is experiment around with different what if ideas that spring up in the middle of the night.  I’ll definitely have to check out the Lionel adapter. Sounds like I could have some fun with that with both the Gilbert track and some Gargraves. Thanks

@AmFlyer posted:

Here an an old picture of Gilbert turnouts and uncouplers mated to GarGraves track. No adapter pins are needed, they just connect together using the installed track pins, which are flat, not round.

Seeing is believing!  Nice set up.

The 5" adapter track is called a Transition Track in the Lionel American Flyer catalogs. It is number 649858 and retails for $10.99.

@Buck-in-the-pines posted:

Thanks.  I also have a small two train O guage layout with Menards and Lionel FasTrack, again running only one type for each line, that I want to add on to.  Maybe I’ll fool around with this using some mating pins.  

You're in luck, then, Menards' also sells O gauge tubular to FasTrack adapter sections.

---PCJ