Gargraves track info needed!

i know that they are more expensive, but you ought to check into the use of Ross switches with your Gargraves track.  They are really well made;  Actually are hand produced.  As to Menards, Lionel, MTH, K-Line, Atlas, Weaver, etc. cars and engines,  they really will perform better on Gargraves than on tubular sectional track, besides looking so much better.

Paul Fischer

Confused. Are you using gargraves track or tubular track.

Rod Miller

Mautner posted:

Seeking info about Gargraves track. I am interested in using Gargraves switches, question is can they be used with Menards or Lionel 031 track? Thanks for any help!

Gargraves has been making mating pins for use with Lionel O gauge track for several decades so they must work together!  Assuming the Menards track is the same profile as Lionel O31 there should be no problem.  However, Gargraves track and switches (and Ross switches) are the same height as Lionel O27 track.  To use them with Lionel O31 track, you will need to shim up the Gargraves or Ross switches.

HTH,

Bill 

I have been working on n 8 x 32' layout for our local railroad museum (www.milwaukeerailroadshops.org). I chose Gargraves track and Ross switches. It was a good choice because it seems to be trouble free.

Dick

I have been using Gargraves track and switches for over 6 years. From experience when mixing Gargraves switches with tubular track try to keep the Gargraves switches about 3 feet from any transition to O gauge tubular track, also the Gargraves track will need to shimmed when being used with O gauge tubular,  no need to shim with 027 track to Gargraves track. Also Gargraves to 027 track works better then Gargraves to O gauge track, the transition area is smoother and less problems. Sometimes the tubular track (mainly O gauge tubular)needs to be filed down at the transition area or it can cause a derailment.

You must use the Gargraves adapter pins for 027 or O gauge track, the pins are different for each track style. I would also buy the insulating pins from Gargraves as they fit both Gargraves and Ross track.

Also I would recommend buying Ross Custom switches rather then using Gargraves switches, more engines will go through Ross Custom switches without problems. Gargraves switches have caused derailments for me with certain engines, and I have tried some modifications to the Gargraves switch with NO success. FYI; Williams engines do great with Gargraves switches and track.

Lee Fritz

Some of the Lionel operating cars from the Post War era have problems crossing Ross switches. Filing can work. This weekend I experimented with adding a ramp made from a Gargraves tie. The tie needs to narrowed down but the scheme seems to work beautifully. Now the post war package car, milk car and barrel car all float over the switch.  Used a sharpie to blacken the tie where it was cut.