Not another "what's the best track discussion" We have enough.

Price. 

@Mike CT posted:

Price.

Jerry

MIKE CT is right. Price. Track can become a costly item. Whether you are starting a layout or thinking of redoing the track. The concensus has been Ross switches and Gar Graves track. Ross does make a very good track. So track wise it is what type of track to you want to use.................Paul 2

"What's the best track discussion" - these are needed to balance out against all the what's the best ballast, what're the right screws for the track, and what's the best underlayment roadbed, etc.....

Ross track is actually "better" than Gargraves in that the ties are individually stapled to the track.  However, it costs more as a result.

A fine model railroad can be built with either track system....although, as mentioned, Ross switches are top notch.

You cannot/will not go wrong with either GarGraves or Ross products. My own layout has GarGraves track and Ross switches. In large part, that selection was made because, in my local area, GarGraves track sections of all types are readily available and at reasonable cost. I chose Ross switches because of the wide variety available, and also based on recommendations made by other hobbyists I know and trust. Some years ago, I used Atlas track products exclusively, and had no problems with that line, but in more recent times, and based on where I live now, both the Ross and GarGraves products were more readily available.

The all-tinplate layout I plan to construct somewhat adjacent to my O gauge layout will be equipped with Lionel FasTrack since I have a ton of it available, including a number of switches, most of which will not be needed due to space limitations. FasTrack with "fit" well with an all-tinplate pike.

Note that I did not mention cost considerations. I view track as more-or-less a one-time expense, and tend to not really give all that much consideration to cost, within reason. Once I have settled on a type I want to use, I stick with it. Several of the switches I now have for the new layout were very costly (double crossovers and such), but they are performing well and I am very satisfied with the flexibility they provide in terms of operations.

Ross 29" straight= $12.99. That's 2.42 feet at a price of $5.80 per foot.

Gargraves Phantom Rail Case of 51 straights 37" each $399 (street price--retail is $585 from Gargraves website). I found this right on the Ross website. That's 51 straights of 37" each which is 1,887" or 157.25'. That comes out to $2.58 per foot. Less than half the price of the Ross per foot but I do agree that Ross is a better quality product.

What some of you fine folks appear to have overlooked is that the question is: WHAT IS THE BEST? The question does not limit cost.

Simon

As the world changes, there should be a few (used) track pieces at very reasonable prices.  This Curtis Ross 4 way yard throat was a Fort Pitt Highrailer find.  The double slips were also used.  Gargrave track, also used, complete with antique rust.

@Simon Winter posted:

What some of you fine folks appear to have overlooked is that the question is: WHAT IS THE BEST? The question does not limit cost.

Simon

Not sure how or why a more detailed explanation is frowned upon?

@Simon Winter posted:

What some of you fine folks appear to have overlooked is that the question is: WHAT IS THE BEST? The question does not limit cost.

My choice of Gargraves was simple, Ross does not make flex track!  Since I didn't want to be tied to sectional track sizes, the Gargraves flex as the BEST track for the job.

Besides that, this is a discussion forum, we tend to present alternatives and reasoning.  Not everyone has an unlimited budget for their model RR, so cost always enters into the equation, whether you like it or not.

What John said about the flex track.  Also, if you are going with sectional track, there are a few sizes where Ross and Gargrave differ slightly (O31 vrs O32, O64 vrs O63, O88 vrs 089).  If you use alcohol as a wetting agent when ballasting, some of the die in Ross track will bleed out into the ballast.  I don’t mind it.  Looks like an oil spill.  And while some frown upon Gargraves switches, the current design works quite well.

Personally, I go with Gargraves unless I need something that they don’t make.  The vast majority is Gargraves flex, but I have a few ross O31 sectional pieces to get the radius I wanted when I didn’t feel like bending sectional.  I also have some Ross O72/O54 switches and one or two Ross 100/101 switches to replace old style Gargraves.

I have several thousand feet of atlas o(no regrets) so there,s no turning back for me. Today if I was going to a different track ,I would have Ross switches ,curve and straight track in the area that guests would spend the most time at and use gargraves straights in the yards and hidden mainline areas....I do love the appearance of Ross spiked track....

I replaced GG track and switches with Atlas (including some flex).  I havdNO-nada-ZERO problems with GG track or switches, but I decided I like the looks of Atlas better, and their selection of geometry is better for my needs.  I have had problems only with one Atlas switch.  My solutions have so far been iffy, as I have replaced one problem (dead section of rail) with another (shorting in some circumstances)  One of these days I will replace the switch--with another Atlas.

Atlas straights/curves, Atlas Flex & Atlas turnouts (I did not mention switches (Tortoise))... No track is *perfect*.  Use what you like.

Plus, Gargraves track is plentiful in the used market.  I bought a big lot of it, sold off the Gargraves switches so it cane be had for even less.

I use only flex track (Gargraves) If the rails are spiked you don't have flex (Bendable) track. pre-made curves have to many limitations.  I first started with Gargraves they didn't make pre bent curves and Ross or Curtis I don't think where around yet.  

Anyway that's how it works for me.