New Ross Std Gauge Switch looks like a winner!

USA Track has been working closely with Steve since his original prototype Standard Gauge switch was shown to SGMA members. I have no doubt it will be a first class product, and well worth the price. It is designed to work with original Lionel Standard Gauge track and the reproduction track previously made by EBR Products (also marketed by MTH as their 10-series track) and now available from USA Track (StandardGaugeTrack.com). The Chinese made MTH 11-series track is not the same high quality product.

I didn't get over to the Ross booth yesterday. Anyone get a photo of it?

quote:

Originally posted by SGMA1:
USA Track has been working closely with Steve since his original prototype Standard Gauge switch was shown to SGMA members. I have no doubt it will be a first class product, and well worth the price. It is designed to work with original Lionel Standard Gauge track and the reproduction track previously made by EBR Products (also marketed by MTH as their 10-series track) and now available from USA Track (StandardGaugeTrack.com). The Chinese made MTH 11-series track is not the same high quality product.

I have some kmt standard gauge track,7 tie 36" is your track the same or is kmt chinese junk? Thanks

I think the only STG track coming from China is the stuff MTH is peddeling.

Does anybody know what diameter the Ross turnout will be?

What curve size is #4?

It would make a lot of sense if they made an 042 size turnout.

A #4 turnout does not involve a curve. The turnout diverges at a rate of 4 degrees from the straight. Thus a #4 turnout. A #10 diverges at a rate of 10 degrees. The lack of curved track makes them ideal for cross overs, no S curves.

These switches are for the advanced runners if they sell they will make more sizes. Tough fight. Small market, price double MTH, not as pretty as a MTH switch. Big cost for better operation.

The 0 in your post denotes O gauge. Pretty much as a STG bumper is a 25 the O-gauge version is a 025.

I think must STG products for them would be a 90 crossing and a 20X crossing. No one has made a 20X crossing in 75 years.

The smart move would be to sell 72" and 42" curve turnouts to match curved track, just like Lionel did...

A #4 or #6 or #10 turnout is pretty much useless in STDG tinplate track layouts. Tinplate track setups are not like scale or hi-rail setups, they are usually much more condensed. STDG tinplate turnouts should meld right in where a traditional curve would go.

Even Rydin made 72" and 42" curve turnouts.

If Ross doesn't make a 42" turnout he is really shooting himself in the foot. The 72" turnout may sell. The #4 won't sell much. A 42" turnout would sell definitely. I wonder if Ross understands STDG operation?

I agree a 20x crossing is a good idea. I have both the Lionel and Ives versions but a new higher tech one would be nice. And I should point out that a 20x crossing fits in for a 42" curve piece on a circle of track. Again, interchangeability is the key with tinplate track.

And I do believe the SGMA used the nomenclature of 042, 072 and 084 referring to track diameters. At least that is what I recall...

It is about time a GOOD Std Gauge 072 switch came into being for those who really need them. The hundred dollar question is this. What type of switch motors will these new switches have? Hopefully it will be something like the original Lionel or the MTH repro. After all, how many Std Gauge tinplate layouts have clearance issues? I have five loops running without problems. Std Gauge is not highrail......thank goodness.

God Bless,

I did not know Rydin made 42 switches. My Rydlin price sheet from 1997 shows 84 and 144 turnouts. My RR-Track program shows only 84 and 144 switches.

 

In designing the Monroeville SGMA display the cross-overs could not be built with 7.25" track spacing because the motors would not clear the adjacent track. 7.25" track spacing involves 2 MTH 72 turnouts with a 5.25" straight in between. The track spacing has to be around 9" to work.

 

A numbered turnout is ideal for cross-overs and parallel sidings in any gauge track. A curved turnout would reguire a left curve followed be an equal right curve thus forming S curves.

 

The photo shows proper use of 72 and 42 turnouts to form a cross over and stub siding. No S curves here.

 

The prototype Ross turnout I saw several years ago in STG involved a double frog setup and there problem having a motor big enough. I do not know what is actually being built for market.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have 4 of the new Ross turnouts and they are worth the extra cost.  I could use a couple of O42 and O72 if they are produced.  I have elimted Lionel and Gargraves turnouts.

Al

Are the new Ross turnouts available?  I would like to approximate the turnouts and trackwork in the photo.  So I guess that I'll have to wait and see what comes down the pike from Ross.  I have some time though,they will be for my Christmas carpet layout.

Will you SGMA folks coming to the Monroeville Show on Saturday?

 

Norm R.

The switches are not on the market yet. The above poster has O-gauge switches.

No plans for Monroeville. When the new SGMA chapter gets started in Pittsburgh many of us will be back. Norm if you are interested in building modules for a Pittsburgh SGMA chapter contact us through the website. SGMA.us

F&G RY-

Happy Pappy,

 

Actually, SGMA members discovered that we had a significant clearance issue on the corner modules between the original STD84 mainline track and the orginal STD72 mainline track. 

 

Specifically, during the course of several train shows we discovered that engines and cars with significant overhang and underhang would clip each other when passing on our corner modules.  Obviously, this is not something you want to see happen to your expensive and/or antique Standard Gauge toy trains.  To look into and correct this problem, last year SGMA members did extensive research collecting data on the overhang and underhang of as many types and brands of Standard Gauge engines and cars that members could lay their hands on.  At the end of this research and upon review of all the data collected, it was clear we needed to change our module construction standards to eliminate the contact (corner clipping) between trains running on SGMA's original STD84 and STD87 mainlines.  So we voted and changed our module construction standards to require the use of STD87 curved track (available from USA Track), instead of the original STD84 curved track.  Contact/clipping problem solved!   

 

To date, however, SGMA's module construction standards still prohibit the use of switches on the STD87 mainline.  From the start we wanted to have one "clean" mainline so that any Standard Gauge trains, even very old antique trains and home-bilts with thick geared wheels, could run safely on at least one mainline without fear of derailing while running over a switch.  That said, if the production model of the Ross's new Standard Gauge switch works as well as the prototype SGMA evaluated, you may soon hear that SGMA has changed its standards again to allow the installation of Ross's new Standard Gauge switch in SGMA's STD87 mainline.  IMHO, that would be GREAT!

 

Now if Ross would just make a new high tech Standard Gauge 20x crossover track, and a new 46" diameter Standard Gauge turntable, and a new...

 

Bob

 

I can't understand why we needed more space between the tracks...

 

LOL!

That is an absolutely fantastic piece! I've never seen a Standard Gauge Challenger before, and I didn't know one existed. Can you post some information on it, i.e. who built it, where the motor assemblies came from, etc.?

I'm not sure which SGMA member owns this Challenger, but you can order the unpainted kit to make your own Challenger, minus the steam motors/linkage and in various stages of completion depending on your modeling skills and the size of your wallet, from Robert Thon. 

 

As for the missing motors, you can buy traditional 4-wheel build-a-motors from several sources, ship them to Mr. Thon and he'll modify them for 6-wheel operation.  However, a better and more powerful solution would be to buy traditional 6-wheel dual "super" motors with steam wheels and linkage from McCoy.  Not cheap but nice and powerful! 

 

Alternatively, from the MTH parts store, you may be able to buy two of the six-wheel motors they used in their 6-wheel "electric" locomotives.  If available, I'd go for the "conventionally" powered 6-wheel motors with two can motors per 6 wheels.  Installed, two of these would give you the power of 4 can motors pulling your Robert Thon Challenger.  However, you would need to change the wheels from "electric" to "steam" and find a separate source for the side linkage as MTH has yet to make a 4-6-4 Hudson/Baltic style steam locomotive.  Unfortunately, I don't know if the McCoy's linkage will work. Does anyone know?

 

Of course, until MTH gets around to making a Standard Gauge 4-6-4 steam locomotive, the optimum might be to locate, purchase, and install in your Challenger two spare 6-wheel steam engines and their side linkage from either a Lionel Standard Gauge Hiawatha (Baltic) and/or a Lionel Standard Gauge Vanderbilt (Hudson) engine.  Does anyone know a source for these engines as Lionel has never responded to my emails on this issue?

 

Bob

 

 

The Hiawatha and Commodore Vanderbilt were built for Lionel by Korean Brass.  The deal blew up during the Lionel/Korean Brass vs MTH lawsuit business.  Hence, no parts.

Checked out a prototype of the soon to be released (~ 1 month) Ross Standard Gauge Switch yesterday at the Big E.  Ran a caboose over switch by hand - smooth as glass - wouldn't know you were running over a switch. The switch machine was of the LGB variety - should be plenty of power.  I asked the price and was quoted a figure in the $149.95 range.  Switch on layout I believe was a #4.  The 072 variety will follow.  MTH, are you paying attention? - these Ross switches should help build sales of Std Gauge track now that there is a smooth operating switch on the market. 

Give Bob at amhobbies a call.  He did me right.

Al