Gargraves Phantom Track Conductance

I have an extensive Gargraves tracked layout with Ross switches and have had absolutely no conductivity problems in the twenty eight years it has been in service.  I think the key is to be sure to have a strong bare wire  ground and drops to the power lines and ground at relatively short intervals, no more than 4 or 5 feet.  The layout has five zones and thirty two turnouts.  It is 19 by 26 feet, multi level.

John, are you having any issues?  I know your layout is under construction, and you have just been laying track recently.  
I agree with your assessment of the Phantom rail and with @Goody’s reply above, though my track has only been in service about five years.

I laid 100% new Gargraves Flex , Ross sectional curves, and all Ross switches, I didn't do any sanding, filing, etc. to the rails and I had zero issues.  I did wipe off any manufacturing oils using CRC Contact Cleaner on a rag after initially laying the track, that's it.  I've never seen any hint of issues with conductivity to the track.

The old Paradise and Pacific Railroad layout in the "Bunkhouse" at the railroad park in Scottsdale, AZ was Gargraves track, and it was in service for at least 25 years prior to the club moving to the new building in 2011.  The only issue it had was from all the years of constant operation was the inside flange of some of the curves had worn through.  A very robust track system.

Like Goody reported, I also have a large layout,  26 x 40, all with Gargraves, Ross and even some old Curtis, and Right of way track.    The vast majority of it was purchased used.   

I haven't had any issues, except when the track has gotten dirty.  Several years ago now, I found the threads on line promoting the use of Low Odor Mineral Sprits and an electrical contact grease called NO-OX-ID-A.   

Personally, the last thing I would ever do is use an abrasive to remove the black anodizing finish on the center rail.  If I could do anything over, I might actually have put a dab of the NO-OX-ID-A on the track pins, wiped off the excess then assembled the track.   There are numerous threads on cleaning track here on this forum and on line.   

NOTE:  The only exception to my "never remove" the anodized coating is when I am soldering track feed power wired to the center rail.  Solder won't adhere to the GG blackened coating.   I chose to add center rail power drops about every 4-5 track joints. 

I made sure not to use "old" track pins",  I did use pliers and wire cutters to tighten up loose fitting track pins as I was installing.   

I have absolutely no complaints, and with over 400 feet of track laid down, I never took out an ohm meter and started reading resistance.  Layout has been in use for well over 6 years now, some of the early sections of the layout were completed 17 years ago. 

Aegis21, you’re going way too far with this. Absolutely no problem with conductance and Gargraves track. The trick is to use power drops where needed.

I just put mine together with proper wiring and ran trains. Been operating for 35 years. The only cleaning the center rail got was after ballasting.

John I know you run DCS. When your done with a section. Run a train over it. DCS will read track voltage as well as the track signal. If the numbers are good and it runs well. Consider it done and move on to the next section.

Ditto. 25 x 33 layout. All GarGraves and Ross.  25 years. No problems. Drops every six to eight feet,

@Aegis21 a couple weeks ago I held an open house to celebrate that the lower level of my layout is operational.  I discovered one engine’s light flickered and could not run slowly on one section of Gargraves.  Testing other engines I noticed similar behavior.  I ended up learning that one section, for whatever reason (likely too heavy rail coating?) had poor conductivity on the center rail.  (Using a multimeter like you.)  I replaced that section and have had no issues with the rest of the case of track.  ~100 feet operating so far.  Note that the case of track I purchased was from an individual, and is at least 12 years old but still new in the case.  Hopefully your experience is limited to a section or two.

My layout, abiet much smaller than layouts mentioned above, is 100 square ft. Layout is comprised of 3 loops of track,  a long spur, and several sidings  I've been using GG track with  GG  and Ross switches  for the last 20 plus years and no issues with conductivity.  Soon i will embark expanding the layout by  building a small yard and will use GG track to do so.