Older Gargraves track Questions

The price is great. Hopefully someone can shed some light on wooden ties outside. I don't think they would last very long. I guess it all depends on how much work you will put into it.

Rod Miller

The Stainless steel Gargraves seems to only apply to the two outside rails.  Center blackened rail is still black on top of Galvanized.  I could be wrong.  Stainless with out the Galvanize is extremely difficult to solder-to.  You might find a good mechanical connection to the Stainless steel a better way to go.  You can find more information about the stainless on the Gargraves website.  Click on the link.  This layout was done with all used Gargraves flex track, and several used Gargraves switches.  Click on underlined layout for a slideshow of the build.

That brown tie track is a lot older than 30 years. By the mid 70's they were producing black stained ties for their track.

Everything you have there is flex track. You may have to loosen up the rails in the ties by spraying the ties at the rail slots(let it soak for a while) with WD-40 which will let the track flex much easier(the ties obviously have to slide on the rails for the track to bend).

ADCX Rob posted:

That brown tie track is a lot older than 30 years. By the mid 70's they were producing black stained ties for their track.

Everything you have there is flex track. You may have to loosen up the rails in the ties by spraying the ties at the rail slots(let it soak for a while) with WD-40 which will let the track flex much easier(the ties obviously have to slide on the rails for the track to bend).

that helps thank you. I have some work ahead now lol

I would not try to solder although I have done so successfully.  The WD 40 trick works very well, it was recommend here, I tried it, it worked.  As far as power connections, once you get the ties sliding what I do is slide two ties in opposite directions, using a flat blade screwdriver open the underside of the rail slightly, strip your wire and make it into a "L" shape inserting the bare wire parallel to the rail, inside the open space, slide the ties back into place, this will crimp the wire in place.  Since you are planning on doing this outside, do this for every 3 foot length of track, that way you will not have to worry about current loss at the rail joints.  I suspect this will be the first source of corrosion outside. Post picts as you build this out, sounds like an interesting project.

ADCX Rob posted:

That brown tie track is a lot older than 30 years. By the mid 70's they were producing black stained ties for their track.

Everything you have there is flex track. You may have to loosen up the rails in the ties by spraying the ties at the rail slots(let it soak for a while) with WD-40 which will let the track flex much easier(the ties obviously have to slide on the rails for the track to bend).

There is also a tie thickness difference between old brown and the newer black.  Not much but it is noticeable.  Though for the price that goes away quickly. IMO

That is a great price for 70 pieces of full Gargraves.  I have always used a short water soak to loosen the old rails.  Mine were over 50 years old and they flexed like new.  The tip by Necrails is much easier than soldering and hides the wires better.  The guys must know if the WD40 leaves any residue on the track.  Never heard anyone complain about it.   There are plenty of tips on this forum for bending track when the time comes.  Good luck.

Jerry

yea for the price I was really hush hush about it until I got it home wanted to make sure no one snagged it before I could . I like the look of it and also I connected2 pieces together and liked how tight the connection was compaired to fastrack. I might clean some up and run a test piece and se about the noise I bet it's a lot quieter than ft, maybe a loop on my layout too might be in order LOL

Modern GG "stainless" track is just that - stainless steel, all 3 rails, center rail not blackened, mounted in UV-resistant plastic ties. The stainless rail is far less shiny (and therefore better-looking) than the chrome-y tinplated rail.

Never put wooden-tie track outside. Ever. The wood is pretty lightweight anyway, and - unless you live in the dry Southwest - it should never leave the comfort of a building. And even in Phoenix, not often.

Some people confuse "stainless" with "plated" track. Tin plating resists rust and can easily take solder, but it isn't stainless steel (which is essentially rust-proof, to my understanding) and isn't for outside use. Tin is an expensive metal used to coat steel.

I'm in Ga I'm going to finish unpacking it all and see what I have to work with.  i seen some track without the center black

ok unpacked it all looks like 3-4 types of track . on one of the paper wrappers he put on then was 2009 so they all have been in storage since then I figure. this is only the straight pieces I still have the curves to do

first 3 rails shiny with stainless on back side of the ties

then there is 3 dirty rails looks like a black center and some all 3 shiny

then theres track with center black rail and no stainless on the back.

then theres black center rail with stainless on back

then back to 3 rails all silver with stainless on back

Depending on the nickle content, Magnetraction isn't magnetic on stainless rail.  If traction is an issue, use their plated steel track on grades to maintain grip and improve pulling power.

GarGraves has a couple of means of connecting sections together.....blades and pins....sold separately.  The blades are particularly handy for replacing sections in place, without dismantling 2 or 3 sections just to reassemble with pins.  The GG hollow rail construction is easier to damage during installation, but cheaper and easier to replace.

Gotta love those types of deals, especially when the quantity is enough to complete a decent sized 3 rail empire.  Hope I have that luck tomorrow, at the first train show of 2017.

Bruce

brwebster posted:

Depending on the nickle content, Magnetraction isn't magnetic on stainless rail.

MagneTraction does work on GarGraves stainless.