3rail Ross switches

Essentially, yes.  The Ross ties are stained a darker color, but the size and profile are the same as the Gargraves track.

 

Dave

Ross track is taller than gargraves. You need to shim gargraves up to match. The difference is in the thickness of the tie, the height of the rail is the same.

Thank you Dave. Have you or do you use any Atlas track? Atlas is an old company&likely to be in business a long time can't say about others as I haven't been in O scale that much yet. Ross makes #4&up switches is what I'm looking at,as I want to add scale couplers to everything&keep my radius to 2rail spec'sas much as possible to give a more realistic effect.
Thanks again,
Al

You'll be fine. Gargraves mates up to Ross turnouts just fine. You shouldn't need shims (we never did) but if there's a difference, it's very slight. You can also mate Atlas with Gargraves and Ross track products with a bit of tie movement (and shaving out the webbing under Gargraves) should you have the need for something that Atlas offers that Ross does not. We started doing new track alignments with Atlas because it's easier to clean and doesn't oxidize as much -- we're right by the Pacific Ocean and that salt air does cause oxidation on track that isn't used heavily.

Ross and Gargraves use the same track pins. To mate to Atlas, we normally just use the Atlas track joiners. I'll have to admit that Ross is my favorite. I really enjoy getting to speak with Steve when I place orders. American made, fantastic product and customer service. Who could ask for more?

 

Gilly

 

 

are Ross switches and cross overs solid or tubular?

Like ah totally tubular, fursure dude...

 

Gilly

 

Sorry, it's been a rough week and you just caught me after my first Martini....

 

 

Thank you very much for the information.
We live in Indiana near South Bnd&my basement's cool-will that cause the need for more cleaning on the Gargraves&Ross track than on Atlas?
Thanks again.
Alan

Thank you for the info&couldn't agree more-good old American made.
Al

FWIW   What?? I had over 40 Ross switches on the 1000ft2 hi-rail layout I just demolished and I NEVER had to use a shim to mate them with Gargraves flex track. They fit together perfectly and are American made.

 

We live on the VA peninsula between the James and York Rivers on a creek - a high humidity environment. I painted all the track with Latex paint (a supposed HUGE no-no) and there is not one bit of rust on any of the track after 6-8 years.  I do use a dehumidifier in the layout room.

 

We operated the layout without any dirty track problems cleaning the track less than twice a year.

 

Just my experience.

 

 

I use stainless steel Gargraves track with Ross switches. It has been my experience that the SS track stays cleaner, longer than the Atlas Track on our club's modular layout.

 

Gilly

Thank you&do you have any #4 turnouts? My evil intent is to replace the Lionel couplers with scale couplers&keep 2 rail radius as much as possible so the 3rail wheels won't interfere with the scale couplers.
Thanks again.
Alan

Thank Gilly,that's what I need to know. Now I've got a clear direction where I'm going on my track.
Now if I could get interested parties to start buying my HO&N collections I'd be in good shape. I'm offering them at give-away prices&noone's interested.
Thanks again,
Al

Extremely Compatible!!  You will need a Dremel for that Gargraves flex track when you are bending it for your curves. (I just got finished installing 12 cases of Gargraves for the New TMB club layout

Steve has an awesome product...I just purchased my first 4-way turnout.  Steve started making Ross switches to mate with Gargraves.

I have two Ross four-way switches and body mounted Kadee couplers. I have no problems with 3R cars going through #5 Ross switches. I do take it slowly when I'm backing long cars through the switches. 21 inch passenger cars make it too, but slowly.

I'm about done. I noticed you've got body mounted Kadees. I think we're talking the same goals here.
I want to body mount Protocraft couplers which operate like the prototype with cut levers or a magnetic wand,but use the same style draft box as Kadee does. Where I keep hitting mountains is my diesels.
I decided to stay in 3 rail to avoid the expense of converting my diesels to 2 rail,& since there's so much fine track available for 1/2 the price in 3 rail. I'm trying to use #4 switches&no less than 54" radius except maybe on sidings&my yard,to give my 3 rail trucks minimum swing. But manufactuers either tell me that I can't mount body mounted couplers without fixing the pilots. This requires changeout packages,at least for Atlas GP15s. Atlas told me I have to do the same thing for MTH diesels as someone else either on this site or ebay told me too.
Can you shine some bright rays of hope on this situation? Others here have but I can't find the conversations as that was months back,my appologies to those railroaders that have so kindly tried to help me.
Thank you.
Alan