Simple Question Regarding Gargraves Track...

How large a layout is it?  It is a recommended practice to tie them together but if it ain't broke, don't fix it . . . yet.  If you have more than one connection, are you consistent with which outside rail you power?  You may be powering both rails, anyway.  

Brendan

Short answer = No...

as long as your track joints are tight and secure. Personally, I switch out wire feeds to the outside rails and jump back and forth. Typically, I have a feeder going to the center rail every 3 or 4 feet which means each outside rail feeder is 6 or 8 feet apart. 
This works for me for the last 30 years or so.

Donald

Forgot to add, I also do not use any “isolated outside rail” for accessories or to trigger anything.

Donald

Unless you're planning to use one of the outside rails to control signals, crossing gates, etc., then you SHOULD jumper them together. 

Many locos have rubber tires which decrease your opportunity for a reliable ground return.  Several MTH locos have a "feature" called Proto 3-2  which basically means the wheels on either side insulated from each other.  These will run more reliably under some circumstances if both outside rails are electrically connected.  Personally, I would connect them.

If you have a switch / turnout, you need to install a jumper on the outside rails.  Especially if you use the frog rails for non-derailing.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/w...PS-jointed-joint.jpg

looks nice but a lot of work that may not be necessary

A couple of crossover pair switches, eventually.  This may be over-kill, but there are parts, of a switch, that may needed to be addressed with sequenced power routing.   White outside common rail, Black middle third rail.  

Red and white, picture above, are trigger sections for auto-non-derail switching. 

There are (4) track circuits Red, White, Blue, Black.   Green was used as the outside common rail.   Eventually all comes together, well.   Additional wiring was added for track indication lighting and DZ1000 switch motors. 

Fort Pitt High-railer 6 ft module wire, will connect to other 6ft modules. 

@Strummer posted:

...is there any advantage to running a "jumper" connecting the 2 outside rails together? As it stands now, all my engines run just fine with one wire to the center rail, and the other wire to the outside rail.

I should mention that I'm not into accessories that might get juice from the track, if that matters...

Thank you.

Mark in Oregon

It's your call, but I don't do that.  One outside rail is reserved for ground.  The other is insulated and reserved for use in triggering signals.

If it ain't broke...

George

Thanks to everyone who weighed in.

I guess for the time being, I'll just leave things as they are.

Mark in Oregon