Gargraves or no Gargraves?

IF you can accomodate it, I would suggest using the FasTrack manual 036 switch. We use it on our club Christmas display with back-to-back reversing loops. It ran all day, every day with zero wiring and zero derailments. There are FasTrack-tinplate adaptor sections that work very well.

As for Gargraves, I bought and use their switches for my TimeSaver layout and have purchased Ross switches for my home layout. IMHO, Ross are more realistic looking and they offer a much broader selection of switches. I'll let others chime in, but I believe that Gargraves have made improvements that resolve earlier derailment issues.

In any event (Gargraves or Ross), I would strongly suggest using the Atlas 6924 non-derail circuit board.

FWIW, at one time or another I've heard about derailment issues for almost all brands of switches. Sometimes it relates to what you're running and not necessarily the switch. Examples include oversized flanges and sliding pickup shoes.

Gilly

This was good advice.

That is a capital idea!

If the footprint is small enough, it's an ideal solution because I am seriously considering building this new section with Fastrack just to try it out.

If you need the space, the switchstand is moveable to either side, or you can leave it off entirely.  The overrun lock spring is in the base of the switch, not the stand.

Ross switches and gargraves track, the way to go!!

In the past couple of years I have designed a new layout and did much research on track and switches.  I went all the way with Gargraves.  Mike at Gargraves convinced me design modifications, a new cast frog I think, had eliminated the derailment problem.  I run strictly pre and post war Lionel and no problems to date.  All of my switches are 42's and larger.

Jim Lawson

Ross manual switches are not non-derailing.

Lionel Fastrack manuals *are* non-derailing, right?

Not that it matters one way or another. All my existing switches are manual now, and this one will be right next to the transformers.

I looked at the Ross switches, and hoo-boy, that's some expensive hardware.

this my first layout working with gargraves.. IT is great stuff.. flex track is awesome bends extremely easy great to work with. as for switches i was told to use Ross. witch most  people do because they are the best in the business.. but i have heard modern gargraves switches have been improved.   

Correct.

Use the best brand of switch you can on the main line. Problems with switches in the main line are frustrating. For yards and sidings, lesser quality switches can be used without too many problems or exchanged easily for a better switch.

You seem to need only one switch. Buy a Ross.

If it is strictly for a reverse loop, Fastrack would be the logical choice.  All his other switches are manual, Ross manual switches are not non-derailing, unless you can rig them as a spring switches.

Setting up a Ross or Gargraves switch as a spring switch is as simple as pulling the spring out of a push button pen, hooking the slidebar and putting a screw through the last few coils on the other end. Just enough tension on the spring to hold the points closed one way is soft enough to let the switch open coming back through.

Alternatively, and probably more reliably, a powered Ross or Gargraves switch can easily be setup for powered non-derailing action with a DZ1000.

Ross  or Gargraves is about the same height as O27 track, they transition fairly easily.

Perfect!