Gargraves vs atlas-O

Gargraves and Ross are compatible, both offer curved sectional track, but Ross has a larger range of switches and arguably the best available. A concern with your layout design is that there's no provision to cross back over to the outside mains.

One consideration anyone building a layout right now should look at is the availability of Atlas switches.  I understand there are issues with supply.

@millcity like I said since its nyc based, Ill just simply reverse the train when needed to.

 

The layout buildling will probably start in a month or so, Im trying to get a good understanding of which would be better then which. 

 

I dont think Ross overs a switch that can allow the tracks to be closer togather like atlas does right?

I am a fan of Ross track and switches.  The others are well done.  That is my choice.

Alternative:

 

Atlas track and Ross turnouts. Ross turnouts work with Atlas Joiners (slide the end ties back on the Ross Turnouts). You can also use the Ross 11-degree turnouts for crossovers for better operation.

 

 

Excellent suggestion.  I would try to avoid using O-xx style switches for parallel track crossovers.  They introduce an often undesirable "S-curve" that becomes problematic with longer equipment (i.e., large locomotives, passenger cars, 70'-89' freight cars, etc...).  Use #'d switches for crossovers whenever possible.

 

David

Id rather keep a consistent look with my layout. Are 11 degree crossovers at least below 30" long? Since the train station will be about 63" long and theres only about 97" of straight track, so Im trying to use the best switch/crossover option that keeps the tracks closest to each other and the shortest length.  How long is that ross 11 degree crossover? If thats the case I may just go with gargraves/ross tracks.

A Ross Reg (11 degree turnouts) cross over is right at 30" with no straight track between the turnouts, giving you a 4 1/4" center to center on the straights. Now you could shorten it up to about 27" total if you cut 1 1/2" of the ends of each switch, just past the switch points.

 

Interesting. Ive hard also of atlas O switches failing after a while. This would probably be very terrible since since one i build my lower level layout, another level of wood will go over it and I will build the lay out ontop. If one of the lower level Switches crap out it would probably be the worst thing ever. 

In your guys opinion, What is the best looking, and most reliable switches to use?
Atlas or Ross or gargraves?

I'm a user of Ross switches, and have no comparison to Atlas. Your comment about accessibility to the switches once they are laid is what would concern me.  It is likely that at some point in the future any switch will fail or require some adjustment, either the points or the motor, necessitating access. I would want to be sure that any of the switches or trackwork is accessible for repair.

I guess I can switch over to manual if something like that happends. 

I heard you cant bend gargraves below 0-72 (0-54 and 0-36) Is that true?

if so then Ill have to stick with atlas. was anyone able to flex gargraves to about a 0-36 curve radius?

For all of the supply problems Atlas has experienced re China sourcing of track components, et al...and not just with regards to O3R/O2R, either! (We...LHS...are into our 3rd year of waiting on some HO/N track components!)...I would certainly give the Quality, Performance, Reliability, Variety, Sponsoring/Supporting, Made-in-America producers...Ross/Gargraves...the nod at this time. 

 

At the last 4 York meets, I've been able to ask Ross and Gargraves the same question about their track..."So, what's new?"  At Atlas?...."When will we finally see regular supply/availability of ANY track items?"

 

Of course, I'm somewhat biased(), since Ross/Gargraves is the track combination I've used throughout my 25'x35' layout.  It's been flawless in every category.  Every order was filled within a week.  All questions were answered over the telephone by friendly, helpful, patient folks. 

 

But that's just MHO....TEHO.

 

KD

Doug:

 

Your ballast work is excellent. People might thing you actually work for the railroad.

No matter what track you decide on get Ross Switches. You will be happy you did.

Bob

 

I used all Gargraves Flex Track and Ross Switches on my layout and liked them so much I never tried anything else.

.....

Dennis

Ross switches with gar graves track. I have been very happy with this winning combination. An added plus is made in America and always readily available.....Paul

Gargraves Flex Track with both Ross and Frank Curtis turnouts. Hi-Speed crossover.

October 2009---dismantling layout

 

 

There hasn't been anything released for a while.  I'm still looking for a left hand O72 Atlas switch, no one has one anywhere it seems, not even on eBay.

 

But for the OP's question, I prefer Atlas track and am dead set on using it, but if you have no track and are starting fresh, I'd say go with the Ross/Gargraves because you can get your hands on it.  If you pick Atlas, you're going to be hard pressed to get your hands on the track you need anytime soon, and then your best luck is going to be used Atlas track.  As for track closeness, you can always trim the turnout leg of any brand switch to get the closeness you want.

Is Ross track solid rail like Atlas track and is solid rail a big deal?

No (fact) and no (opinion).

I heard that gargraves flex track cant flex below a 0-72 curve is that true? was anyone able to get it to at least reach a 0-36 curve?

No, it can be bent tighter than 0-72, but the tighter you bend it the more difficult it is. 0-54 should be no problem. A bending jig is very helpful for tighter curves. It will help prevent kinking, and give you a smoother curve.

So it is possible to get to 0-36? What kind of bending jig would you recommend? 

Why bend the flex when you can get sectional curves from GG?

Because I the tightest curve of ross is 0-31, no 0-36. Since My trains have close couplers they can only operate up to 0-36 curves.

When I get back from vacation I'm going to re-amp my 6x8 layout. I'm getting rid of my atlas track and switches. The switches have been nothing but headaches, I already changed 2 motors and they were brand new switches out of the box. I'm going with all ross track and switches. Plus I like to buy products I know are made in America. 

I guess so, + I estimated the cost of my layout and garagraves/ross would save me about $700. I dont know about you but I like saving money! + I saw some picture of ross track weathered and it looks AMAZING!

 

But I still haven't really received a definite answer, Can you bend gargraves track all the way to a 0-36 radius curve?

The EL System for American Made Steel Bridges will allow you to drill the Gargraves or Atlas and either screw directly into or bolt with a u-bolt.  Attached are photos with Old Tubular track on the solid steel deck.  We also have I beam sides for a more prototyical look

Sinclair

Thanks for thinking of us
Please call or email when you get home

I have bent Gargraves to O-27, so yes, you can bend to O-36.

I have Gargraves, Atlas and tubular track on the existing layout, and really prefer working with the Gargraves. Both Legacy and DCS operate with no issues on all types. I built a jig to bend Gargraves flex track to 042, and it works well, and cuts easily with a Dremel cutting wheel.  I have used Gargraves and Ross turnouts, but have moved all of the GG on to new homes and am 100% Ross.

solid rail is a big deal for me. i run 30-40 car trains at prototypical slower speeds .....the wheel/on/rail noise was less than any other track i had ever used. if you run short trains at high speeds the wheel sound is about the same. for me, the atlas track ties and solid

 rail won me over.

few people know when atlas designed their solid rail track they based it on a combination of super O and prewar t-rail .the fact that lionel gave up on super O has got to be one of the biggest marketing mistakes in its history, imo.         

both gargraves/ross and atlas offer  many diameters in curve track . i will concede that gargraves flex bends much more easy than atlas. -jim

??  Sorry, I'm a little slow at times.  What did you mean by this?

 

@rtr12, I have an Atlas switch that came to me broken that I need a new point for.  Perhaps you can share the Atlas contact via email so I can get parts to fix it.  thanks.

Sorry, got busy and couldn't reply.

 

All you have to do is take a scrap of Masonite or plywood, 1/4" or thicker and cut a segment to the desired radius. Secure it to a flat surface, and wrap the track around it.

 

For the really sharp curves, it would probably help to bend to an 0-54 first, then to the final radius. You should over bend them slightly, because they like to relax when you let go. So when you cut your jigs make them a little smaller than the desired radius. It is much easier to broaden the curves once they're bent. 

 

Finally, draw a center line where you want your track, and lay it to that line.

I wrote as you had  a questions in attaching track to a curve or straight bridge

I don't have a lot of info, but I'll send you an email so we don't get too far off topic here.

One problem with Atlas is if you are running post war with Magnatraction it will not work.  Magnatraction will work on GarGraves.  I plan on using Gargraves with Ross switches.

I have Atlas track and swicthes, they work well and look very good.  The ties on gargraves and ross products look too big to me, and the rails are hollow. The problem with Atlas is availability at this time.

Fred

A problem that occurs with Gargraves switches is that some MTH engines derail on Gargraves switches so I would go with Ross switches, also better selection of switches then most other companies.

 

Somebody mentioned about bending Gargraves flex track, the best way to bend Gargraves is to use a pattern to bend it on, do not bend Gargraves by hand only or it may not bend correctly.

 

No matter what track you use supply enough power connections, one about every three track sections.

 

Lee Fritz