Do Gargraves Switches Work Well with Tubular?

The Gargraves switches with the proper adapter pins will mate up to Lionel tubular track. but you will have to shim the switches to match the height of the tubular track. Ross is making switches that mate perfectly to Lionel tubular track as they are also tubular but so much better(smoother) than the Lionel switches. And you don't have to shim them to match the height of the O gauge tubular track.

Thank you Carl!

Hi Todd,  I use Gargraves switches with my O27 tubular track.  I have had an excellent experience with them.  I have used this product for about three years and still have the original switches operating.  Like every switch, you have to install and tinker with the setup until everything flows perfectly. I run postwar and modern Lionel, RMT, Atlas and Kline equipment, including small, short length, switchers, speeders and trolleys.  In total I have 22 Gargraves manual and DZ2500 remote switches in operation. 

The switches will match up to the tubular track, but that's only part of it. Depending on what you are running, these switches may or may not work. I'm in the design stage of my layout and have learned from the owners of both switch companies mentioned here (Ross and GarGraves) that these switches (even the "Rossplate")are not compatible with the prewar tinplate trains with large gears on the drivers.

Beautiful layout Wood!  I use 027 style track so I think these switches will work perfectly for me!

Todd,

   The GG switches will match up fairly well with 027 Lionel Tubular, if you are running only post war and modern trains, your trains will run decently well with this combination.  I have to warn you however, I would not own any more GG switches, even the manuals, if you gave them to me.  My recommendation is to run your 027 with 027 switches as an inside layout and run an outer track layout, of Lionel Conventional O Tubular or K-Line Super Snap, further if you have the money, invest in either Ross or FasTrack, both have great track & switches.

Remember the FasTrack, Conventional Lionel Tubular, and K-line Super Snap (RMT) will accommodate all the different trains, including Tin Plate, for repetitive quality running. 

Hope this helps a might

PCRR/Dave  

I am with Dave on this.  If you are running tubular track, use Ross or the old K-Line.  Do the job one time.

Chevelle17 posted:

Beautiful layout Wood!  I use 027 style track so I think these switches will work perfectly for me!

Thank you for your comment Todd.  As all of our layouts - it is a work in progress!! 

Asking questions about track and switches will open a huge member debate.  My suggestion is to do some searches on the topic of switches and you will get a lot of information.  But, I would caution you to think about what is good for you.  There are really no dogs in track and switches today.  Most of the manufactures have a pretty good product.  You have to think for yourself and ask - What do I know how to work with? - How much money do I want or can I afford to spend.  How long have I been in the hobby?  Am I prepared to go deeper into the Hobby or do I just want to have some fun and get involved?  Many members here are on their 2nd, 3rd or 4th layout.  It takes time to learn the tricks of the trade.

In regard to Gargraves switches.  For me!!!  They have been a very good product.  I have had one DZ2500 switch motor go bad and Tom from Gargraves replaced it free of charge within a week of my notification, the motor was 2 years old and had been weathered and used daily.  That's service.  They are reasonably priced.  I buy mine from an internet vendor and have saved significant dollars over other brands.

I am not selling the product, more than anything else I am simply stating that their are more good choices available then the much called for Gargraves Track/Ross  Switch combination.

As usual, Pine Creek RR and Marty are spot on.  I'm in the process of replacing all of my Gargraves switches with Ross ones.  You end up spending more doing it this way, so please feel free to avoid the mistakes that I (and many others) have made.  You'll end up time and money ahead by using Ross from the get go.

Now....what kind of Chevelle do you have?  I have a '69 Malibu with around 50K original miles.  Frost Green Exterior.  Black vinyl top and interior.  It's a terrific Cruiser that I was lucky enough to get to run 12.99 with in November when the weather/air got cold.

I have about 12 Gargraves switches, maybe more, and they work pretty good except for use with MTH steam engines. I replaced about half a dozen Lionel 6-23011 & 23010 series switches with Gargraves switches. Gargraves works great with Williams trains.

For use with 027 track all that I did was to use adapter pins with Gargraves track & switches. With O gauge I had to use adapter pins and shim the switch as it was too low to fit in correctly with O gauge(031 and 042) tubular.

I have had to replace two switch motors on the Gargraves switches, the DZ-1000 switch motors quit working correctly.

However I am looking at Ross Custom switches for my next update.

Lee Fritz

Ross makes a line of tubular track switches that should be an exact fit. As for Gargraves switches the opinions are all over the place. Let me just say that they are not Ross.