Would you encourage the use of GG turnouts on a display layout where trains would run in both directions all day long? Are they prone for derailments? Reliable?
The switches are only to be used once an hour or so to swap out trains. It would be a long way to the floor.
Replies sorted oldest to newest
The o-100 turnouts work just fine but in low use areas. The 042's I have show a bit of bounce through the frogs. For peace of mind I would go with Ross. The two deep dives to the floor after a derailment were associated with GG 042 switch. Both were replaced with a Ross product. Both do the job, Ross seems to have better tolerances.
You'll find plenty of people that like GG's just fine, but the common wisdom that I've seen is that if you can afford the difference, Ross makes a better product. I can't say one way or the other from personal experience.
Go with Ross they are worth it.
JohnB
Buy the Ross switches, they're worth the slight difference in price! I have the track and switches for my new layout in the mail, Ross switches and curves, and Gargraves flex track for the longer runs.
My railroad is over 25 years old and uses a mix of 30+ Ross, Curtis, and Gargraves turnouts. The Ross turnouts are unquestionably the smoothest and most solid ones. Trains go through them repeatedly in all directions with no bounce or derailments. On the other hand, two months ago I replaced my first turnout, a Gargraves one that I had bought USED and located on a main line passing siding in or about 1991. It had simply worn out.
Very dependable. As are Ross. I just used 3 new GG 0-72 turnouts for a layout improvement. I have mostly GG switches (and most of them go back to 1990), and Ross yard set.
I was going to use Ross for my addition, but the footprint of their 0-72 was so large that I would have had to shorten them with a saw. So - I went with GG. They dropped right in, and cost less.
Ross and GG use the same Z-Stuff switch machines, so that aspect is a wash.
There are choices, bare bone switches, and switches that are pre-wired. Do your homework. Non-derail, and power routing are not necessarily a given. Lower picture, Left pair, Ross, Right pair, Gargraves. Both are straight, numbered, switches, v.s curved switches. Numbered switches relate the diverge to the length of the diverge, Bigger number switches (example (8)) are gradual, low number switches are sharp/abrupt. Ross switches have wood ties, Gargraves, plastic, molded base. Track is Gargraves flex track. Midwest cork road bed. I believe, foggy head, the dwarf signals are Right-of-Way. All material pictured was used/reclaimed from other layouts. DZ 1000 switch motors and DZ 1008 relays mounted under the table.
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
