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I have finalized the design of my soon to be new layout.  It is designed to run up to 4 trains at a time and with a series of switches so that each train can be reversed on the circuit it is running on or a single train can run all of the circuits.  I will use Gargraves track but I am still trying to decide what brand of switches to use.  I will be using 042, 054, and 072 switches.  The smallest diameter curve on the layout will be 042.  I have heard many good things about Ross switches and both good and not so good things about Gargraves switches.  Much I have heard about Gargraves has involved older switches.  Can anyone elaborate on the newer Gargraves switch with the cast points?

 

I will be running both prewar and post war Lionel, none of the modern stuff.  I plan to use the DZ-1000 type motor operator.

 

Any suggestions or advise would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,  Jim Lawson

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Hi Jim I would go for the Ross switches all the way, if I ever build another layout

I would 100% use Gargraves track and Ross switches.

 

If you want I have 2 Ross 054 left hand switches that I will sell cheap and I have

 10 DZ-1000 motors and 10 DZ- controllers with clips and hardware also will sell

cheap. Just let me know.

I can also take pics if you want.

Thanks, ALex

 

Good luck

I too use RCS but I'd like to hear from someone who has actually used GG switches made in the past 5 years.

 

One thing I don't like about the GG switches is they have a solid plastic tie foundation, no individual ties.  But apart from appearances, do they work?

 

The GG 072 remote switch (143 RC) lists for $74, the RCS 072 remote switch (125 M) lists for $80.

Originally Posted by Bob Delbridge:

 

 

One thing I don't like about the GG switches is they have a solid plastic tie foundation, no individual ties.  But apart from appearances, do they work?

 

The GG 072 remote switch (143 RC) lists for $74, the RCS 072 remote switch (125 M) lists for $80.

Hi Bob ~ Have not used the new GG but have couple old ones on spur tracks. Once you ballast them you only see the ties. 

Painting the black Gargraves ties a brown color like Gargraves track makes them look much better. Takes half a day if you work at retirement speed like me. My Gargraves are the older kind and the trains make more noise going over them than Ross. I now have Ross on all mainline and Gargraves on ancellery track. The plastic guide rails on Gargraves can give trouble on the mainline.

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