Is it advisable/possible to mix fast track /gargraves track

@BillyHammomd posted:

I have a  fast track loop and would like to tie back into Ross Switches and back to main line. Any advice?

Make sure there is a straight before entering the switch from both directions to avoid the loco climbing over the points.  Also with steamers, less center wheels should work better.

John

Gargraves' advice under their FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)...

"Fast Track to GarGraves: Use Lionel item no. 6-12040 and GarGraves O Gauge Mating pins item # 801"

...which would work w/Ross track/switches, also.

FWIW.

KD

Thanks John & KD, appreciate the advice. Attempting to utilize some fast track and old Lionel track for the yards and circular loop /turnaround  on the main lower table.

Billy,

My advice to you and anyone in your situation is:  go to one track system.  Sell the one you don’t want and use that money to buy the one you do.  The exceptions here are GarGraves, Curtis, and Ross.  They are made to be compatible and are.

I know a few people who buy different makes based on price alone.  It’s a problem waiting to happen.  It looks bad, operates poorly and is trickier to wire.

Best,

George

I have a 16' by 20' U shaped Fastrack layout. I have Gargraves on all my bridges and on all my hidden sidings and storage tracks. Some places I used the transition tracks, but mostly I just cut the Fastrack and made my own. Gargraves didn't have transition pins for a long time, so I made my own with O gauge track pins. I put them in a drill and ran them against a disc sander to get one end smaller to fit the Gargraves. If there are problems waiting to happen, they are still waiting. It's your layout, and if you want to know if it's possible, it is. I'll put up some pictures in a few minutes when I go back to the train room.

@G3750 posted:

t’s a problem waiting to happen.  It looks bad, operates poorly and is trickier to wire.

George,

I understand one of these three comments comp!etely but the other two puzzle me.

Tell us how the mix operates poorly, and is trickier to wire.  I don't see either of these being an actual problem.

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

George,

I understand one of these three comments comp!etely but the other two puzzle me.

Tell us how the mix operates poorly, and is trickier to wire.  I don't see either of these being an actual problem.

Mike

If you have a mix of track types with differing profiles and heights, you create the possibility of trains (pickup rollers, contact shoes) catching on the joints.  This also can cause cars to decouple.

For "trickier", perhaps I should have said "inconsistent".  Different track types use different methods for attachment - lock-ons, spade connectors, track pins, terminal joiners.

I just don't see a reason to do this.

John Armstrong stressed operational reliability through standards and I believe in that.  And that's not just for model railroads either, I've seen that in my work life.  But folks can do what they want with their own railroad.

George

You can always mix different brands of track.    It is a matter of how much effort is needed to make the transition from one brand to the other.   

FWIW, gargraves, ross, curtis allow one to easily establish insulated rails to operate signals and trackside accessories.  I agree with the suggestion to sell what you don't want and go with one system.  If an effort to save money I went with a mixed system, tubular plus gargraves/ross.  Ultimately I changed to all gargraves track with ross for the ease of wiring and to allow the flexibility afforded by the built in insulated rail. 

@G3750 posted:

If you have a mix of track types with differing profiles and heights, you create the possibility of trains (pickup rollers, contact shoes) catching on the joints.  This also can cause cars to decouple.

This is only a problem if you don't use pins to connect the differing segments together.  In my experience, if you do the tops of the rails are at the same level by default and there should be no "catching".  Yes, the bottom of one of the two sections of track will probably need to be shimmed to provide the correct support for the weight rolling over the top, but the tops are at the same level because of the pins.

Aside from the statement that John stressed operational reliability, without any real technical data to back it up, there is no overwhelming technical reason not to use different brands together.  It comes down to being a nonconformist, which is an emotional, and not a technical issue.

But then again, from the other side, so is the hangup with things needing to be perfectly matched, and conform in the process, as you would by following John's esteemed standards.

Six of one; half-a-dozen of another ...

Mike

Thanks everyone for your advice and experience. Anxious to run trains , some after 60 years, on my one line installed with used Ross Switches, I was anxious to get the main table complete. Not a large inventory of Fast track so but once I started looking at mixing switches Fasttrack/Ross switches on order(6-8 weeks), I became impatient! Best laid plans of mice & men, anyways attempting to inject some patience and thought into my next action plan. Thanks again everyone for your comments. Bill