Do Ross switchs work with Fasttrack

No.  FasTrack is not one of the compatible systems listed.  That being stated, I'd reach out to Ross directly as their FAQ document may not reflect the most current information.   Steve will be a far better resource than this forum with respect to this question.

You wouldn't have minded the look? They're not exactly similar in the look department.

-Greg

Sparks,

   The new Command Control FasTrack Switches are almost bullet proof and they are controlled remotely from the Cab1 TMCC or Cab 2 Legacy.  I have many of them on different levels of my Christmas layout, and you can run 99 of them off track power and not effect the operation of your engines.  In reality MTH needs to make come up with some similar engineering.  The FTCC switches are the way to go.

PCRR/Dave

in their FAQ Section it says:

"O" (tall Lionel, K-line etc..track) - Use product #901 plus a 5mm cork roadbed

Fastrack has a transition piece to tubular track (which would be tall Lionel track stated above).  I would assume you could use the fastrack transition piece connected to their product #901 and the 5mm cork road bed and accomplish what you want.

At the end of the day, any track should be able to mix with any track as long as your provide power and the rail height is even. The struggle I would think would be in the rail height and a smooth transition between track types.

Last note, I also agree with Dave, I have several command fastrack switches and they are a great product.

Why not just use all Ross track AND turnouts?

sparksOtrains posted:

I want great switchs to go with my fast track does ross work with fast track

My Fastrack switches have been bulletproof.   They are some of the smoothest switches I've ever used.    As PCRR/Dave mentioned, the new Command Fastrack switches are great.   I bought mine switches a very long time ago so they are not command. However, I did go the route of getting the ERR aftermarket command upgrades for them..

If you do decide to go the Ross route, just as others have noted; get the Fastrack transition piece.

However, if you already have the track, go with the Fastrack switches to match.  Seamless integration.

I see it like this: If you have Fastrack, go with Fastrack switches.

If you have Ross track, go with Ross.  Both are very good.

As much as I dislike certain "features" of Fastrack (noise and poor connection to adjacent track sections)  I think Fastrack switches are the best tinplate switches available. Once you initially open them up and solder the center rail connection from one end of the switch to the other, the trains run over them very smoothly.

Royboy,

I have tons of Fastrack from 2005 thru a recent order a month ago.  Older switches too.  I have never had an connectivity issues with the track sections, nor any continuity problems with my switches.   I get "10"s on my DCS signal and no drop in voltage anywhere.  I have found it to be a very robust system

sparksOtrains posted:

I want great switchs to go with my fast track does ross work with fast track

A different tack; if a FastTrack switch "fits" your plan (031/036/048/060/072), I'd use them. Beyond that, Ross makes switches that other manufacturers haven't even thought of. If you use the Ross switch, look at the matching Rossbed. It will likely help you when it comes to matching up heights. Use the FasTrack O - 6-12040 transition piece. Pull the pins on this piece and use Ross 902 027 track pins.

EscapeRocks posted:

Royboy,

 

I have tons of Fastrack from 2005 thru a recent order a month ago.  Older switches too.  I have never had an connectivity issues with the track sections, nor any continuity problems with my switches.  

Many people say that and I do not doubt them. I speak from my personal experience at home, at the mall club layout, and with a friend's sickroom layout.

I have no idea why different people would have such different experiences, but I know the experiences I have had, and those experiences have lead me to form my opinions.

Just my $.02, I worked part time in my local train store for several years. In all that time I never heard one complaint about the reliability of FasTrack switches either directly from customers or in conversation with coworkers. Were some "broken" out of the box, sure but other than that no complaints. Other modern switches, not so.

Never heard the conductivity issue either but I guess anything is possible. 

IMHO, they are good reliable switches and from what I hear the Legacy or Command versions are super. 

Mike

If you're using Fastrack, stick with Fastrack switches.  They're the smoothest O gauge switches I've personally used, and of course they'll work perfectly with your track system.

Another Fastrack turnout endorsement. We have 14 of them (10 of them TMCC enabled) and they are smooth as silk. No issues whatsoever.

Just a couple thoughts.  

I second or third or 17th the idea to use fasttrack switches if you can.  Aside from the power issue discussed above there are some other quirks I've seen mentions from time to time here, over the last several years, but these problems seem pretty rare, and also seem fairly easy to fix whenever someone has asked for help on the forum.  The fasttrack switches have two (or three) really big selling points for me.  They are less expensive, and they have non-derailing built in.  ( the third is on the Command control switches, you don't need any additional components or even any wiring to throw your switches.)

Now, if you are set on using Ross, something to consider is that Ross offers a fair number of switches in 'tin-plate' track, These switches have the same track height as traditional "O gauge" track and fast track, so you would only need the fasttrack to Tubular transition pieces to make it work.  unfortunately, I have no information on how the functionality and reliability  of the 'tin-plate' Ross switches compares to their other switches, but I can not recall ever hearing anything bad about them. http://www.rossswitches.com/pr...tches/rossplate.html 

JGL