Gargraves Switches

I have used Gargraves 100" and O-72 switches, and have been pleased (I have about 45).  I have not used O-54.  I have used O-42 many, many years ago, and was not satisfied--too may derailments backing through the switches.  Ross seems to have a better reputation, but, as you have noted, price is a consideration.

May I suggest something to consider?

I have a 25-year-old layout that uses GG switches - plus a Ross Yard Set. I have used the "0-100" exclusively (OK, one newer 0-72). I know we are all space-challenged, but I have found that the 0-100 switches can be as, or more, space-efficient than the tighter switches because they "ease" off the straight and take up less side-to-side room. Certainly, if you have to "hang a right" in a tight spot, you need a tighter switch, but that sharp curve, especially in a yard, actually can take up more space because you then have to use yet more curves to straighten the track back out - assuming you are looking at parallel yard tracks.

Also, using the 0-100 switch, you have far fewer derailments backing up, as our 3RO "Talgo-style" trucks back up poorly compared to frame-mounted couplers.

Anyway, it can be better to have a siding with a dependable switch, that holds one less car, but that works, than one that is as long as you can make it but is constantly putting cars on the ground. 

That sucks the fun out of the room in a hurry. 

Scott,

 I used Gargraves switches on my last layout for around 10 years. I was very happy with them. Since then, I believe Gargraves toughened up the points, which I ocassionally had to tinker with...which was no big deal. If real Railroads do track maintenance from time to time, it didn't bother me at all. Gargraves customer support was always helpful if I ever had a question. I would recommend them.

Tom 

PS- re-read your post and saw the switching part I had originally not noticed. My layout was a roughly 11 x 4 foot switching layout with 6 Gargraves switches. I used prewar and postwar Lionel steam switchers and mostly postwar cars. No derailment issues. The layout was a takeoff of the John Allen "Timesaver" switching layout. 

  Tom 

I have several current 100”R, a few 72”R and a few 42”R Gargraves switches.  Derailments are rare with the newer type switches.  With Gargraves switches made prior to 1991, derailments are not uncommon.

Thanks for the responses.  I liked the idea of a broader curve switch, but length is as much of an issue as side-to-side space.  Although I characterized my plan as a switching layout, it will be more of an engine terminal with steam servicing facilities.  I like watching steamers slowly chuff up to the coal dock and water plug and occasionally spot a hopper.  I need length to maneuver my engines from track to track through the switches.

One thing I noticed from pictures is the Gargraves O-54 switch has two center rails between the points, one for the straight section and one for the diverging track.  Other Gargraves switches use a single broad center rail between the points that serve both the straight and diverging sections.  Is there a difference in performance between these two concepts?     

I have used them in the past with no issues but have heard you need to mount them flat to avoid problems now if this is true or not, not sure. but I believe you will be happy with them.

As I am building an 8'x32' layout for our Railroad Museum in Sioux City, IA (milwaukeerailroadshops.org) I used Gargraves track and & Ross switches. Both work great.

Dick

Scott, over the decades that they've been making switches, Gargraves has used quite a few variations on the point design.  Some are pretty weird.  I have no problems with the more recent 100"'s or O-72s, as I said above. 

Problem with a shelf layout is that a sharp turn switch eats up width fast.  Carefully consider D500's and Graz's comments.

I don't use Gargraves switches (or Ross), but I have read where Gargraves has made improvements to their switches over the years. Comparing their current switches to ones from 10 or 15 years ago may not be a good or fair comparison. Ross has a very good reputation, they are probably the standard for O gauge switches so to speak and their customer service is 2nd to none.

It might be worth getting a couple of Gargraves switches and testing them yourself. You can always post them here in the 'For Sale' forum if they prove to be unsatisfactory and put the sale proceeds toward the Ross switches. I don't think there are any switches (or track systems) that are perfect and work with every train item ever made. There will always be some incompatibility somewhere no matter what you choose.

Scott,

    My club the Black Diamond Society of Model Engineers in Bethlehem Pa when rebuilding our O gauge layout used Gargraves track and Ross switches. Part of our downstairs layout is S scale, where we used Gargraves Track and Gargraves switches. Wow what a headache. We had S scale trains hitting the switches and bouncing up in the air. One train hit the switch frog so hard it jumped off a bridge and committed suicide. However recently we got a new S scale member who said Gargraves redesigned its S scale switches and he would call them and try to swing a deal. And what a deal Gargraves gave us, they replaced all nine switches at no cost. They even shipped the new switches before we returned the old ones. Hats off to Gargraves for realizing their S switch design was no good and redesigning new switches that really work great.

  Maybe Gargrave also did some redesigning on their O switches, worth giving them a call.

JohnB

Gargrave switches are great for getting started. There only weakness is the plastic frog with the large space to diverging rail. I call it the "pot hole frog". You can visually see equipment take a dive at the point of the frog.

Now Ross switches have a more refined die cast frog that supports the  transition of the wheel set across the frog with no "pot hole effect".

I have used Gargraves switches and I am not 100% enthused with them, the 042 size is what I was using.

They work great for Lionel and Williams engines, but don't use an MTH steam engine with them. At least that is my experience.

Scott R, I have a question for you; have you used gargraves or Ross track before? Gargraves & Ross track have all three rails electrically insulated from each other. Also you will have to watch the electrical set-up at some of Gargraves switches depending on year and size(042 or 072) of switch.

Lee Fritz