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Gargraves Manual Switches

CraftechCraftechOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I just received six Gargraves manual switches (042) to complete a layout for my five year old grandson following this ongoing layout thread.

https://ogrforum.com/...five-year-old?page=1

I posted some follow up questions about the switches several days ago in that thread and didn't receive an answer so I thought I would ask here specifically about the switches.  I looked through the entire Gargraves website and couldn't find an answer and I searched through past posts for an answer and couldn't find any.  So forgive me if this question is in the wrong place.  I can't go any further with his layout until I have an idea how to solve these problems.

1.  The clearances for the switch don't look like the SCARM plan in that thread.  It looks too close to the Fastrack roadbed.  Do I cut off the corner of the Fastrack roadbed to allow clearance for the switch?  Gargraves track will go between the two switches.  The Fastrack section is a transition track section to accept the special pins to mate with the Gargraves.   But see the next question.

2.  There is a plastic section on one outer rail with no pin.  There is no information I can find describing what to do with that.  I know I have to wire the center rails together and I have the Gargraves pigtail connectors for that purpose.  But that plastic outer rail section with no pin.  What do you do with that?

3.  As there are two of these 040 switches between an inner and outer loop, if I want to set it up to isolate the two loops from each other for two train operation from time to time where would the toggle switch go?

4.  The switch came with a small curved section.  Is that to create an S-Curve with another switch?  Gargraves calls it a "transition curve".

Really appreciate the help.

John

Last edited by Craftech
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romiller49romiller49OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

It sounds like you are using fastrack as the main track system. I don’t use fastrack so my comment is pure speculation. Put a fastrack transition piece wherever it connects to the Gargraves switch. If the plastic roadbed need trimming then do so. Use a small straight section of Gargraves to connect the two switches. Use an insulated pin at the center rail of each end. Connect the toggle to the center rail of that short straight. The transition piece of Gargraves that came with the switch is used to allow the switch to be used to fit into the 042 circle. I don’t think it will be needed for your application since you’ll need the short straight piece between the two switches.

CraftechCraftechOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
@romiller49 posted:

Thanks Rod.  I really appreciate the help.

It sounds like you are using fastrack as the main track system.

The outer loop is Fastrack.  The inner is a combination of Menards O and Gargraves (some cut pieces).  All switches are manual Gargraves.

I don’t use fastrack so my comment is pure speculation. Put a fastrack transition piece wherever it connects to the Gargraves switch.

Yes.  That is part of the SCARM plan.  There are two exits from the inner loop to the outer Fastrack loop via 042 Gargraves switches.  There are Fastrack transition pieces on both sides of the two exit switches.  You can see one of the four Fastrack  transition pieces in the photo.  It is the one that will need to be trimmed to allow clearance for the Gargraves switch.

If the plastic roadbed need trimming then do so.

I will trim the corner of the Fastrack transition pieces (one of which you can see in the photo).

Use a small straight section of Gargraves to connect the two switches.

Yes.  That will be a cut piece of Gargraves track.

Use an insulated pin at the center rail of each end. Connect the toggle to the center rail of that short straight.

I still don't get it.  How do I wire all three center rail sections  of the Gargraves tracks together on both switches and still turn the small straight section on and off?

Also, what do I do with the plastic section of the switch that are missing pins.  You can see them in the photo.

The transition piece of Gargraves that came with the switch is used to allow the switch to be used to fit into the 042 circle. I don’t think it will be needed for your application since you’ll need the short straight piece between the two switches.

Thanks, that clears it up.

John

Last edited by Craftech

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