Should Ross begin matching Fastrack

Allready made. Search the website or checkout add front of OGR

Dan65train posted:

Allready made. Search the website or checkout add front of OGR

Although, the bulk of the Ross line is much closer to O-27 profile(w/in 1/16" height).

The RossPlate switches are "O" profile, which matches FasTrack quite satisfactorily.

Rob,

   I have been after Ross to produce real Tin Plate fully remote control 072 switches fully compatible with Tin Plate Trains for years now, to give FasTrack Command Control Switches a run for their money.   

PCRR/Dave

Dave, Steve has made that switch for many years.  I was building a large layout with Steve many years ago when we first talked about that.   When Steve started making the switches, he presented me with his very first tinplate remote control switch he made.    I have used these switches on several layouts and they are PERFECT.  

Below is a picture of the very first Tinplate track switch made by Steve.  I was very honored that he presented it to me as a gift.   We have been great friends for many years.

As far as I know Ross doesn't make O36 switches, but I wish they did!  Popular brands of track with the plastic base are noisy and there are other issues too.  Atlas O can be hard to come by.  If Ross made its full complement of switches in O36 this hobby woudn't need any other track system!!

It would be better if they produced a new version of Super O Track that is superior to FasTrak. 

Andrew

I do not know one person who uses Super O.   Back in the day it was hot.  Good thought on a new version.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

Dave, Steve has made that switch for many years.  I was building a large layout with Steve many years ago when we first talked about that.   When Steve started making the switches, he presented me with his very first tinplate remote control switch he made.    I have used these switches on several layouts and they are PERFECT.  

Below is a picture of the very first Tinplate track switch made by Steve.  I was very honored that he presented it to me as a gift.   We have been great friends for many years.

Really nice switches built solid. I purchased seven of these for my layout and could not be any happier. Just wish that steve would make more for tubular like a double crossover E.T.C. Frame that switch marty.

Steve plans on doing others.  The demand for what he has at the moment is huge.

Checked out the website. The only match was 036. I was hoping they would produce 048. I don’t want to go to Fastrack since I have been using Ross for years and don’t want to bend Gargraves. I would be willing to pay double for 048 curves based on the 054 price and the same for switches to match.

I do remember that Frank Curtis would make some custom items for a premium. I saw him years ago in the Green Hall with a custom curved switch he made for a customer.

042 for tinplate would be good too.

On my previous layout I had 4 Ross Tinplate type # 4 switches that were used as crossovers from inner loop to outer loop.  They were on my K-line 0-31, 0-42 and 0-72 layout.  They worked perfect EVERY time.  No derailments.

Not sure how this post got hi jacked but it has nothing to do with tinplate switches. I just wanted 048 curves and 036 curves and switches with Ross track.  Maybe the title was the wrong one to use.

The Ross tinplate switches are well-done, but they are not truly tinplate compatible in that they won't work with the deep-flanged wheels of tbe prewar trains. I got that info directly from Steve himself when I researched the different switch brands. While I was disappointed with his answer, I appreciated his honesty as I was prepared to buy about 20 switches from him. 

John 

MartyF,

   What BC John wrote is absolutely true, the day Steve makes the Ross 072 TP Switches truly compatible with our Tin Plate Deep wheels and 12 wheel Tenders, I will purchase them.  They also must be Legacy Cab2 Control Compatible.  Steve is a great guy and he answers all questions truly.  If he could upgrade them just a little, I would give them a try.  Marty when I talked to him just after he supplied you with the switches, I really wanted a pair very badly.  

PCRR/Dave

That Tin Plate 263E on the Ceiling Shelf Layout is waiting on those upgraded 072 Ross Tin Plate Switches.

The  product that I would like to see from Ross is a drop in track joiner that would allow me to replace the couple of Gargraves switches that I have on my layout with higher quality Ross units. Its already 90% Ross and I want to make it 100% Ross. They are the best and USA made.  Gargraves offers a flat blade type track joiner but it won't allow Ross switches to be dropped in place and joined to Gargraves track without taking up the track.  Does anyone know how this could be done with out a track adapter.?

BlueComet400 posted:

The Ross tinplate switches are well-done, but they are not truly tinplate compatible in that they won't work with the deep-flanged wheels of tbe prewar trains...

To make them work would require a closed frog swivel rail redesign.

When I spoke with Steve about his tinplate switches, I asked him what it would take to accomplish tinplate compatibility, and he said the same thing, a moveable frog. I told him I'd pay the additional cost, and I bet others would too in order to have a product that works with the trains we run. His SG switches have this feature and they are fantastic. All guys like PCRR Dave and me can do is keep asking for them. For now, I'll keep using my made-in-China O-Line switches, but I'd rather have Ross on my layout.