Gar-graves track

@bum posted:

What is the most popular type of Gar-graves track, Phantom Tinplate, Phantom Stainless, wood tie, plastic tie, Flex track?   I'm not familiar with them so could use some advice.

From reading this forum I would think Flex Track with tinplate and wood ties is the most popular.

I used Phantom tinplate Flex with wood ties everywhere except one fixed radius curve that i could use sectional on. Stainless is designed primarily for outdoor use.

@bum, depends on what you are building.  If it's a Christmas time layout or something small, I'd suggest using sectional curves, Phantom tinplate rail with flex straights if you need them.

For a permanent layout, GG flex Phantom tinplate rail is what I used and my club used for the permanent layout and the traveling layout, except for some curves where sectional curves 081 and larger were used.

If you want curves of O72 or less you need pre-curved track.  It is difficult to consistently bend gargraves flex smaller than O72, IMO. 

I've seen some amazing bending of Gargraves track, I know that @Tom Tee has bent it like a pretzel for some very tight curves.  Personally, I haven't gone less than mostly O72 and above.  However I do have a couple of sidings that have roughly O54 curves I bent and they came out just fine.

Mike's observation is correct, the tighter the curve, the harder it is to do smooth bends without kinks.  Since I was a flex track virgin before this layout, I bought some used flex and fooled around with it bending and straightening it, it was a useful exercise.

Larger radius bends with flex track shouldn't be a major issue.

I have bent Gargraves down to 24" diameter for a trolley line. It takes a LOT of patience, a bit of WD40, and a jig. Not my favorite way to spend time in the train room.

For a beginner I would encourage one to consider staying with Ross sectional curve track.

It is precise to it's stated size and is compatible with GG.

Once you get a little experience IMO your imagination is your only limit.

Using a Shop Vac I formed 032" for a pair of return loops.   Note how the Shop Vac lid flange holds the tie ends level.

Following Tom's advice, for the fixed O72 segments, I did indeed use Ross O72 sectional curves.   I think I could bend them fairly easily now in Gargraves Flex, but it's sooooo easy to use sectional track that my lazy streak went that way when possible.