TRACK CHOICE

There have been a number of pretty lengthy threads recently on this same subject (you might try the Search function), however the bottom line always seems to come down to,,,,,,what is available. Our layout is all Atlas O solid nickel silver track & turnouts, however if I had known more about the MTH Scale Track system, I probably would have used that instead. Lately, Atlas and MTH Scale Track, both seem to be in very short supply, thus many folks are using Ross & Gargraves for more "scale appearing" layouts.

Have you looked at the Ross website to see if the DZ-2500 or DZ-1008 may help with what you need? DZ is Dee Zee Industries and Ross sells their products.

 

With command control you will need to use an accessory unit; Lionel SC with Legacy or TMCC, MTH AIU with the DCS base.

 

Not sure but with Fastrack you might be limited to 072 curves as the largest curve and switch.

 

Lee Fritz

I originally built a small layout using Fastrack (8x12). While a decent system, I couldn't get over the look and when I had the opportunity to build a much larger layout (22x12), I wanted something more prototypical. After asking a similar question on here and getting a lot of great feedback, I made the switch to Gargraves with Ross switches. I couldn't be happier. They are fantastic products. As mentioned, Atlas and MTH Scaletrax seems to be a little hard to come by right now, which is another reason I went with Gargraves. You can't beat the performance of Ross switches. If you're using DCS you can control them through the AIU. Not sure about the Lionel Legacy system (I run DCS and have a TMCC base that is controlled by the DCS). I would personally highly recommend Gargraves/Ross. 

Will be using both Legacy and DCS.

Layout approximately 25 x 13

Gargraves/Ross is a combination that is so hard to beat for price and availability and good looks and performance.  Easy choice for me.

Gargraves track with Ross switches.

You will get many different comments with this question, divided between reliable operation (mostly Ross and Gargraves), realistic look (mostly Atlas O and Scale Track), and ease of setup (Fast Track).  I use Ross, Gargraves, and Atlas.  Several years ago I went with Ross switches because at that time they seemed to be the most reliable choice.  My first layout had all Ross switches and I never had any problems with them once I got them setup correctly (getting the motor and spring tension just right can be a bear).  I do not have any other type switches so I can't comment on them other than recent posts on this forum indicate they have become better and more reliable.

 

The curves on my double track mainline are mostly Atlas to get parallel tracks with the 4.5" center-to-center spacing I want.  My single track mainline and yards are Gargraves with some Ross curves.  On my old layout I joined Ross track and Atlas track and weathered and ballasted both together.  These two tracks are close and after ballasting it was hard for me to see the difference, tie spacing being the most noticeable difference.  Both looked good to me once weathered and ballasted.  While Ross and Gargraves track are compatible, Ross is easier to join to Atlas due to how the Gargraves track is formed.

 

Nearly all my Ross switches have the DZ-2500 switch machines which I'm setting up for TMCC control.  This is fairly easy to do with just one bus wire from the DZ-2001 Data Driver, but you need to search for posts on this because there are a few precautions that need to be taken (nothing seems to be perfect).

 

Understanding that I'm not looking for true scale fidelity (otherwise I'd be in 2-rail), both Ross/Gargraves and Atlas track look good to me when ballasted.  Also, my Ross switches have been problem free so I can recommend them without hesitation.

Mike, that is a really nice yard.    It's a good argument for the GarGraves/Ross combo.  Of course, I realize the work you have put into making it look so realistic. 

Thank you,   Here is a link to the Fort Pitt Highrailer "Y" module upgrade with Ross 204 three way switches.

 

 

Mike CT, I don't mean to hijack this thread, but just a quick question:  What did you

use for ground cover in the yard?  Very realistic and just the thing for a well-used

industrial look.  Very nice.

 

     Hoppy

Brummy's rubber crum ballast.  Rail/switch metal parts were painted with Polyscale, now ModelMaster Railroad tie Brown. 

Your not "hi jacking"the thread.It is important to let the OP know that these products don't come out of the box looking like this.It takes years of experience and a lot of talent to develop what Mike has accomplished.Nick

Command control will work with any track. There are both DCS and Legacy devices that operate switches if you choose to go that route. You just have to wire them, where the Fastrack command control switches do not need any wiring as I understand them. Track selection is really a personal preference and you should choose what you like.

 

I would look at all the track systems available and make you choice on what you like, you will be the one has to use it for your layout and live with the results. Go to a hobby shop or train store and look at what they have available. If you don't have a nearby store to go to get the book 'Trackwork for Toy Trains', it will provide lots of info on most of the track systems available today.

 

All the track systems available today are good systems. They all have pros and cons. None are perfect. Sooner or later you will get an engine or piece of rolling stock that will have a problem somewhere on your layout no matter what track you choose. Choose what you like and buy a test loop of track to make sure that's really what you want before committing to a complete layout. If you like it you are set, if you don't like it you can sell it here on the For Sale forum and try something else.

I have GG and Ross (and Curtis - no longer around, but was another GG-compatible product). MTH Scale Trax appeals to me very much, and if I were starting over...maybe.

 

But I keep using Gar-Ross (new brand!) because they are good, predictable, available (!)

and don't do strange things. And they look pretty darn good if you ballast AND PAINT THEM.

 

Me: mostly GG switches, some Ross. The Lionel SC TMCC controller

will do the job, though I don't use them.

 

If you do not intend to paint the Gar-Ross items, skip them. Go with Scale Trax.

I wish there was a spreadsheet showing / comparing the features of all the different track available.It sure would help to know what each one offered in a side by side comparison.  Then imagine if there was a section of the forum called Welcome or welcome back that had information that keeps getting asked on here in it.  Just an idea but it would be nice to not make the person coming in or back feel like n idiot for not having searched for track cleaning threads.  

After a hiatus from the hobby, the first thing that became obvious on return was the shortage of track availability from most manufacturers.  You can't get Atlas switches for love nor money, unless you plan on doing it one at a time on that auction site.  About the only companies with the ability to supply your needs immediately is Ross/ Gargraves.  If I was starting over that's where my money would go.  The realistic look, reliability and availability average out better than any of the others.

 

That said, I have a minor issue that keeps me away from Ross switches.  I never cared for their quick curve transition, mostly all within the points area, of the diverging track.  I imagine it produces and unsightly jerk as a fast moving loco enters the curved route. 

 

Bruce

I have a small layout and use Fastrack but my largest curves are O-36 due to limited space but if I had the space and money for a big layout I would definitely go with Gargraves Track & Ross Switches.  They are the class of the industry and since both are made here in the USA (Gargraves in upstate New York) and (Ross Switches in Connecticut) there is no shortage of track & switches plus Ross has the most variety of switches available.  Fastrack goes from O-31 to O-96 but hard to find some of their track curves & switches.  Atlas & MTH has had issues with supply of Track especially you're lucky if you find any  Atlas O & not especially thrilled with MTH Realtrax connections, I have 2 180 degree Realtrax O-31 curves because it fits inside Fastrack 0-36  curves which Fastrack O-31 does not. I have no experience with MTH Scaletrack but have heard they have supply issues too.I don't think you can go wrong with Gargraves & Ross. Good Luck!

Can't help with the forums or the spreadsheet, but the book I mentioned in my post above does a pretty good job of detailing most of the current track systems. I enjoyed reading it and it ultimately helped me decide on using Atlas track and switches.

Excellent choices, go with what you are comfortable with.

     GG track Ross switches end of story! Choo Choo Kenny

Gargraves Stainless with Ross turnouts.

Hi Jim, I was wondering what the major advantage of using the stainless Gargraves over the Tinplate version is other than durability? Does the stainless stay cleaner longer and how does it take solder? I'm looking at trying to make a decision because soon I will be setting up a permanent layout. Well as permanent as they get LOL.

Rick

Stainless steel Gargraves don't rust any where near as easy as regular Gargraves track does. Down in southern Florida I have to use stainless steel track, the humidity is very high.

I have seen tinplate Gargraves rusted at a hobby shop.

Also stainless steel is a little harder to solder to but can be done.

 

Lee Fritz

OK, not to create a dispute but I have to weigh in with my Take.

I love MTH Scaletrax. IT has the smallest (closest to scale) rails in the industry. It is available in a variety of curves and straight lengths. Also comes in Flex for making easements and custom curves. The Flex is like a noodle compared to all others. Very easy to bend/use, but must be soldered.

See www.toytrainsontracks.com they sell DVD's but the previews show what can be done with this track.

Limitations: not a lot of switch selection in the line, O31, O54, O72, #4, #6 each in left and right. No Wyes, No curve/ wider curve, ect.

 

However, I have this track and a pair of Ross Wye's. Put std 5mm roadbed under the track and 2mm cork sheet under the Ross switch. The railtops line up sweet.

Also Ross uses correctly shaped rails like the Scaletrax so they match up well, the Ross rails are a bit bigger.

The guys at toytrainsontracks have a hand in this as well, they made switches as needed using the rails from scaletrax.

 

 

And to chime in on Jim's recommendation. We have SS Gargraves on the bridge on the club modular layout. The rest of the mainline is Atlas. For whatever reason, the stainless stays cleaner. And when I say cleaner, I'm referring to the black coating that ends up on the tops of the rails every 8 hours or so.

 

I'm laying the SS Gargraves now in my Attic layout. I haven't attempted to solder it, but would expect it to be a bugger.

 

Gilly

There was an issue with the Legacy system driving the data wire driver for the DZ switch machine buss, but I believe they have corrected that or have a work-around.

 

You shouldn't have any issues remotely switching the Ross switches with DCS or Legacy.

W&W,

   Lots of different hi grade track to make layouts with today, pick what you like best, do investigate your choices however, especially if you plan to run Tin Plate Trains.  I love the Ross stuff, but it is not really Tin Plate compatible for constant running, Atlas & GG are great stuff also, again problems with Tin Plate, especially the switches.  For running all different kinds of trains, the original old Lionel Tubular, original K-line Super Snap, now RMT, and Lionel FasTrack I highly recommend.  I use FasTrack and old Lionel Conventional Tubular on about 90% of my layouts, could kick myself for selling all my K-line SS, before being drafted into the military way back.  However the new wireless low voltage FasTrack Command Control switches, that run directly from track power, controlled by the Legacy Cab2, are bullet proof, nothing comes close.  Above 048 they will handle almost any engine & tender package, except for the stuff rated 072 and above, however those FT CC Switches are available also, even in Y's.  The gripe most rivet counters had with FasTrack was it's inability to be used in a life like set up, recently both Rick O and Ray have put this misconception to bed, with their incredible life like FT layouts.  There is no single best track, there is only what works best for you individually, investigate and choose wisely, none of this is cheap stuff today.

PCRR/Dave

 

The Iron Horse Train Club GG layout, note only the 263E Engine & Tender running thru the GG Switches, not a fill 810 consist, the 259E & 2600 rolling stock would run on the GG track & switches however, but the 810 rolling stock, with the big Crane Car would not, the old wheel flange design would not allow it to run properly on GG switches and track.  Note the 2nd picture of the 263E Tin Plate Train running on FasTrack with full consist.

I too use Fasttrack.  I like it and have 9, 0-72 remote switches.  I wish I would have waited for the Cab2 Command controlled switches but oh well. 

I have about 400' of Ross Track & love it.

I have had Gargraves track on my home layout for over 20 years in my basement. No problems whatsoever with rusting and its NOT stainless. Just the regular o gauge Gargraves track. I originally had Lionel o 72 switches but they were so terrible with engines bouncing over them that when I met Steve from Ross and saw his switches, I was hooked and replaced all of my Lionels with his. Steam engines suffered the worst on the Lionel switches bouncing and derailing . We had the same problems on our National Capital Trackers modular layouts with Lionel o 72's.  After trying MTH realtrack and K Line switches which were much smoother running, we are now using Ross Tinplate switches and they work beautifully.

On my mid-size layout, since dismantled, I built a medium-size layout using GG tinplate Phantom flex track and Ross switches.  This was in a basement and in the Atlanta area and there was zero evidence of rust.

 

Cosmetically, the Ross track and switches look better IMHO because each rail is nailed to each cross-tie.  I simulated this by installing O scale spikes in the visible portions of the GG track and it looked pretty good, and blended well with the Ross switches.

 

I'm planning a new, somewhat smaller layout and haven't made up my mind between GG flex or Ross sectional track. 

 

 

It kind of irks me that, even with such widespread dissatisfaction with the Lionel

0-72 switch, they've done nothing to improve them.  Seems like a lose/lose situation

for Lionel because they lose business to the makers of finer, more reliable product.  I

am in that group too, as I'll be going with the new Ross tinplate switches, even though all the rest of it is Lionel O gauge track in Johnson rubber roadbed. 

 

     Hoppy

 

It all comes down to what you are looking for, and it is a personal choice. In terms of availability, Gargraves and Ross seem to be the best, from my (admittedly) limited circle of friends in O, other track systems have had availability issues, and none of them has the selection Ross does for switches..plus since both Gargraves and Ross manufacture their own stuff in their own factories, they don't have the problem with the overseas suppliers. 

 

MTH scale trax visually is supposed to be the closest to prototype, and having seen it in use on a couple of layouts, it does look great. I have heard it can at times be difficult to get, I can't verify that, and the prototypically oriented guys don't like the tie spacing. 

 

Atlas track is really good looking and the people i know that use it love it. The downside quite frankly is availability, even before they had their supplier meltdown, it was according even to my friends who love it, a pain to get, especially switches but across the board. Atlas is also expensive, but my friends think that it is the cat's meow. 

 

Fastrack is available, and it works pretty well, but it also is relatively expensive and the plastic roadbed may not be that great looking, and the rail is not T shaped either. I have seen where people ballast and color fasttrack, and it looks pretty decent, and they like that it is more integrated with Legacy (or so they told me) in terms of the switches. 

 

When I get around to building my layout, when I get finished finishing off the $*#(@ basement and its myriad gotchas, I'll probably use gargraves and ross as well, for me the cost is decent, the selection is great, it looks pretty good to my eyes, and to be honest having them in this country, where I can easily get more stuff or call them with problems, is a big plus. 

I have a 28' X 15' all Fastrack Layout.  O84 outside and O72 inside.  I have no complaints with my choice.

I want to thank all of you for your replies & info to date. I am fairly new to the forum and am impressed by the wealth of knowledge here. It appears to date most prefer GG/Ross, as I also like its looks. I also like the MTH ScaleTrax & but am concerned about availability. I am in the process of designing a layout approx. 25x13 which will use a large amount of track on 2-3 levels. I am presenting leaning to FASTRACK for the following reasons: availability, Command Control switches w/nice lanterns, easy to hook up, ease of laying track, can be made to look decent with minimum ballasting, etc., good selection of curves, switches, LCS sensor track. Also, I am wondering if Lionel will continue to come out with new technology in their track to be used w/LEGACY etc.?? I have several cases of GG Phantom track, but I am considering FASTRACK.   For all the reasons stated, am I overlooking something or going the wrong direction ??

I might add to the above, I will be running mostly scale engines, cars that I've been acquiring since 1990.