Gargraves vs Ross switches

We recently acquired this recycled switch.  I was told it was a Curtis, or Curtis/Ross switch.   What is the history of Curtis switches?? 

I believe that Frank Curtis was a Ross employee that broke away and started his own company called Curtis Hirail. His switches looked like copies of the Ross design, he advertised heavily but the effort was not successful. Most model railroaders when they could buy the original did not buy the copy and the company eventually closed. The brand was never popular and you seldom see  these switches around. There are certainly enough comments on this thread to help you make your choice.

Going way back I believe Curtis worked at Ross. He left starting Curtis switches. I think this happened in the 80's or 90's...........Paul

I am just beginning my Super O dream layout and have installed Gargraves switches which I have acquired at York over the years.  They mate perfectly with Super O.  Going forward I will only install Ross.  I may leave these in place as they are for cosmetic use only.

I don't know the history between Curtis and Ross, but originally Panhandle 1 started out with 15 Curtis HiRail switches.   The craftsmanship was excellent, the switches performed flawlessly, and the prices were more than competitive.  I absolutely loved them - they were gems.  As to their popularity, quite a few people owned and liked them.  I still have a number of them on Panhandle 2.  I believe the Choo Choo Barn was one of their many customers.  If you come across one today and it was in good condition, I would certainly have no qualms about using it.

Here are 2 photos of a Curtis double cross-over with DZ-1000 switch machines.

George

Here is the history of Ross and Curtis as I know it. Ross switches are and always have been built by Steven ROSS Brenneisen. Starting from his home in Kankakee, IL as a teenager Steve built his first 3 rail switches using rail that he bought from Gargraves in Rome, NY. He was invited to join Bill Benson, the late founder of Right of Way Train Company. When Steve realized that Mr. Benson only wanted his switch designs and not him, he left and returned  to Illinois. Around 1990 he and I went to York together. In one of the halls I came across switches that looked just like Steve's, but they were built by Frank Curtis who was a skyscraper elevator repair man who lived in North Stonington, CT. I ran to find Steve and introduced him to Frank. A friendship was born and after a few months Steve moved to the east coast to build switches with Frank. The partnership lasted about five years and then Steve left to rebuild an old factory in his present location. They are both fine gentlemen who build and built great products. All American made, Ross switches carry a lifetime warranty. If you break one, return it to Steve for a free repair. He even pays the return postage to you. I have used his switches powered by Tortoise switch machines since 1987. I have some on my layout powered by DZ1000 motors which are satisfactory.

That's the history I heard. Didn't know about your now famous and fortuitous introductions. Thanks

In my experience cheep is expensive.  When I originally built my current layout I went with Atlas track and switches.  The reason I choose Atlas was I liked the Nickle Silver track and ties.  I looked at both Atlas and Ross switches, and at the time Ross switches were a bit more expensive and as I needed 25 of them I decided to go with Atlas.  Boy what a mistake, I had problems from the start that just got worse as time went on.  I ended up replacing all 25 with Ross and never looked back.

Point is sometimes saving a few bucks up front can end up costing much more in the end.

Go with Ross!

Seeing this thread again makes me feel good.......because when I start building this layout later this year, I had already decided to go all Ross......

.....also, seeing answers from Marty and Barry just warmed my heart......makes one remember just how much one misses your friends......

Peter

I have installed and use many Gargraves and Ross switches. Gargraves went to a great effort to completely upgrade their line. They basically replaced all their tooling with new tooling. Gargraves has a page of data available for the asking that compares the geometry and dimensions of "old gargraves" versus "new Gargraves" turnouts. If buying Gargraves used, you should have this data and make sure that you are getting the newer product because, as has been noted here, it seems to be much more reliable--trouble-free in fact.

Aside: The easiest way to tell them apart is the length of the straight rail. So if going to shows or buying online, you can use the Gargraves data and either measure the straight rail or ask the seller its' length.

Probably the biggest issue for me is curved versus straight switches. And curved means Ross. The Ross stuff is very well made. You have to love Ross. But modern Gargraves is a good, cost-effective alternative.

Don Merz