Gargraves switches and weaver cars

quote:

Does anybody have a solution for this problem.

The ONLY solution is to change out all those Weaver plastic trucks with Weaver diecast truck assemblies. The wheel sets in the plastic trucks have wheels that a thicker than the wheels that come in the diecast trucks. The thicker wheels short out between the center rail and guard rail in Gargraves/Curtis older switches. Absolutely nothing you can really do about it, except change the trucks.

For obvious reasons, Weaver no longer offers the plastic trucks!

Thanks for the info. Do you know if weaver will offer the trucks at a discount since they were mismade?

I guess you will just have to ask someone at Weaver.

Perhaps it would be possible to swap the wheel sets from the metal trucks. Buying the wheels may be less costly.

I have experienced this shorting with some weaver cars but never thought the wheel sizes were differrent and the source of the problem.

Gargaves turnout fix
if you look at this link above to another thread on the forum scroll down to the bottom of page 1 and look at page 2 as well photos of the Gargraves older style turnout and where it shorts out with the Weaver and some other Lionel etc. wheel sets but yes seems Some weaver are not to gauge.
You might also trying checking the gauge and see if you can adjust the wheel sets to the correct specs this might solve your problems.
But the turnout fix I did was pretty quick and works well!

There is nothing wrong with the weaver plastic trucks! actually very good they are two rail trucks, Made out of delrin so you never have to oil. 75% my rolling stock is weaver with plastic trucks and I use old gargraves turnouts I just fixed the gargraves turnouts. Once I fixed the turnouts no more problems for over 15yrs.
Clem