Which Loco’s will, or won’t function properly with Ross Switches?

As far as I am concerned they all work fine it depends on the track layer and their tracklaying efforts. and if a wheel set is out of gauge and as they say picks the points of the turnout you then correct it. Ross products are great and durable.

Agree with DK.

No issues on my layout with Ross track and switches. I've run post war to the latest and greatest from Lionel, MTH, Atlas and KLine-not one issue ever. The track has even been tortured by 2 to 6 year old boys on a regular basis with no ill effects. 

The boys also run the Polar Express that you have Roger and it runs great. Continue with your plans and build that fun layout!! 

bigtruckpete posted:

No issues on my layout with Ross track and switches. I've run post war to the latest and greatest from Lionel, MTH, Atlas and KLine-not one issue ever. The track has even been tortured by 2 to 6 year old boys on a regular basis with no ill effects. 

The boys also run the Polar Express that you have Roger and it runs great. Continue with your plans and build that fun layout!! 

Thanks very mugh guys for the quick responses.

I will continue on with my plans.

Kinda like the question 'how much does it cost to cut down a tree??'.

No one answer.....too many variables.   If installed correctly and logically......all should work.

A small radius left turnout placed directly after a small radius right hand curve is an invitation to issues...... 

Just use care installing and logic in placement.

Hello,

Also when you purchase your ROSS track and switches directly from the ROSS through their website,or one of their dealers,

The Owner, Steve Brennisen  will be more than glad to work with you,and SOLVE any issues you might run into.

He is one of the best in the business when it comes to CUSTOMER SUPPORT.(Which is something that is hard to find these days)

I just used Ross track and switches for the first time on my layout,and I have had No problems.

Nothing on the market has a more realistic appearance.Buy it,you won't have any regrets.-KennyB

Some early prewar will not run through Ross switches. My collection age spans from 1910 through present day.

Ross/GG works just fine with almost everything from anybody. Better than the other brands, probably. There are so few cases of "incompatibility" that it is not worth thinking about. If one does crop up, solve the problem then; the "problem" could have (and indeed does) come up with other track, too. It's only those weird little situations where the extremes of equipment tolerances and the extremes of track tolerances wind up opposite ends of the range, that bite you.  

AMCDave posted:

Kinda like the question 'how much does it cost to cut down a tree??'.

No one answer.....too many variables.   If installed correctly and logically......all should work.

A small radius left turnout placed directly after a small radius right hand curve is an invitation to issues...... 

Just use care installing and logic in placement.

My question was meant more general, like what vintages, or styles, rather than spacific.

From the answeres, buth here, and elswhere, it seems that the issues are mostly with pre-war, and very long locos on to tight of a bent GG curve.

I am moving forward "ALL AHEAD FULL......."

The older stuff with slide shoes can catch the guard rail in the switches, but the solution is to put a pin in the end and bend it downward to act like a ramp for the shoe. Hardly an issue. We run ross stuff on the modular layout, and there'll always be something that doesnt like the trackwork. Hands down, we have less problems with ross switches than any other switch. Also keep in mind that Steve stands behind his American made product, while selling it for the same or less as everyone else.

Boilermaker1 posted:

The older stuff with slide shoes can catch the guard rail in the switches, but the solution is to put a pin in the end and bend it downward to act like a ramp for the shoe. Hardly an issue. We run ross stuff on the modular layout, and there'll always be something that doesnt like the trackwork. Hands down, we have less problems with ross switches than any other switch. Also keep in mind that Steve stands behind his American made product, while selling it for the same or less as everyone else.

I have not met Steve in person, but I have talked with him over the phone several times, and he has been extremely friendly and helpful with all of my questions. At one point I asked him if he could sent me a short sample of his track and track bed, and he was more than happy to do so.

I am planning to go out to see his place in a month or so, to get an actual look at the product, and a short tour of his factory. He said that they do get visitors, from time to time, and are happy to have them. He also mentioned that they would have almost every switch and crossover available for me to get a hands-on look at. I will probably purchase my main loop of track and track bed at that time.

He was at the Syracuse Model Train Show this past November, but I was not very aware of Ross equipment, and thought of it as something for the true Die Hard enthusiast so I didn’t stop by, and missed the opportunity to meet him and learn about his product in person.

Live and Learn….... Live and Learn

It is about a 4.5 hour drive, and my wife wants to go along, so we may just make a long weekend of it. I want to encourage her, with this hobby, as much as possible, if you know what I mean.

Agree on some slide shoe equipment. I had a trolley that had a slide shoe and didn't like the switches. As mentioned, some older stuff with slide shoes and/or big wheel-length gears may cause trouble. With your modern equipment, you should have any problems.

I have 3 Ross switches on my layout with tubular track, next layout I'd like to do all in Ross track and switches. Steve is the best. You'll never find a better guy, offering better service, and a better product that is made here in the USA vs the Chinese guys!

I have less problems with Ross switches so far. I just bought 3 "042" inch switches. So far my MTH steam engine(4-8-4 T-1) runs better through the Ross switches then Gargraves, no derailments but have to go about medium speed to keep from shorting out on the switch.

Lee Fritz

I'd better chime in before this goes any further. As you know, I was the OP on another forum and the problems I was experiencing had nothing to do with the Ross switches or Ross track.In fact,it had nothing to do with any of the switches.I was having issues with several wide (40"-60" radius) flex track curves being slightly out of gauge,even after repeated careful forming which caused problems with some very large wheelbase non-articulated steam locomotives from all makes. I discovered that wheel "gauge" or distance between the flanges varies among my locomotives. With some testing I found out that tubular is more "forgiving" and can handle these locomotives even of they are slightly out of gauge than other track systems I've tried.  

I consider Ross to be the Cadillac of switches.  They are the best.  Worth every penny.  Switches are usually the weakest point on a layout.  Go with Ross and that issue becomes a non issue.  BigRail 

I consider Ross to be the Cadillac of switches.  They are the best.  Worth every penny.  Switches are usually the weakest point on a layout.  Go with Ross and that issue becomes a non issue.  BigRail 

The correct answer is zero.

Dennis

Folks,the problems I was experiencing had nothing to do with the Ross switches or Ross track.In fact,it had nothing to do with any of the switches!

Boomer posted:

Folks,the problems I was experiencing had nothing to do with the Ross switches or Ross track.In fact,it had nothing to do with any of the switches!

Done and Done.

Ross Switches and Track it is for me.

Moving on.........   Moving on.............

Thanks for all of the confirmation on Ross equipment.

Roger

 Here is my experience with engines and Ross switches. Note, my Ross switches are # 11, #4, O72, O 96, Four way yard switches, 0 72 Y and a double cross over.

The Lionel Post war 0 4 0 switchers will not work on Ross switches - the gears hit the guard rails

Any post war engine with slider shoe pick ups, or slider shoes for couplers will not go through a ross switch. The slider shoe pick up will catch in the switch and the slider shoe for the coupler will activate the coupler when the slider shoe crossed the center rail in the switch. The slider shoes on Lionel Operating Cars will also active the car when going through a Ross switch, and also the car really bangs around when going through the switch.

The only modern engine in my collection that does not like a Ross switch is the Lionel NYC  S2 electric engine - the simulated third rail pick up hits the Z 1000 switch machines. I can remove the third rail pick up from the engine, and it has no problems on the switch.

Finally, after years of sitting in my yard I decide to run my Lionel NYC TMCC crane car a few weeks ago. To my dismay the lower part of the crane car frame hits the Z 1000 spring when the crane car goes across the switch.

I hope this helps.

Richard

I've met Steve several times and been to his shop.  He and his product are top-notch in my opinion.  On occasion, however, I've wondered about what happens to RCS when Steve retires.  He is the driving force behind his product and I'm not sure there is an heir apparent.  Atlas and MTH are companies, so no concern over any employee retirement.  And, someone commented that RCS are the Cadillac.  Well, that distinction belonged to Curtis Switches before Frank retired and stopped making his product.  

PJB posted:

I've met Steve several times and been to his shop.  He and his product are top-notch in my opinion.  On occasion, however, I've wondered about what happens to RCS when Steve retires.  He is the driving force behind his product and I'm not sure there is an heir apparent.  Atlas and MTH are companies, so no concern over any employee retirement.  And, someone commented that RCS are the Cadillac.  Well, that distinction belonged to Curtis Switches before Frank retired and stopped making his product.  

When you went to his shop, what were you hoping to see or learn, and did you?

What impressed you most?

I was hoping that he had a brick and mortar store, which he doesn’t have. However, he did say that they would have almost every switch and crossing, they make, in stock for me to see and touch. He also said that on a weekday I could see them working and see how they do things.

Sounds like it might be a real education

My wife wants to go along so it will be more of a long weekend rather than a quick overnight out and back. As I have said before, I want to encourage her as much as possible. We have twin grandsons, and she thinks this will be a great way to spend time with them, and have a common interest. I am all for that.

I am also concerned about when Steve retires, and I am sure many others are as well.

We've run pre-war stuff through Ross turnouts without problems. The two exceptions are American Flyer O gauge and Marx with wheel gears extending past the wheel tread. Those either bottom out on the ties or ride the guard rails, but they don't derail.

The one problem you may encounter is with stalling on larger turnouts because of the pickup roller gap on some equipment (I've even had modern MTH geeps stall on the #8 curved turnout). The work-around for this is to "light up" the unused closure rail as a hot extension -- i.e. turn the diverging closure rail into a hot lead with thrown to the the normal route and tying the non-diverging closure rail to common (and vice-versa when the turnout it thrown to diverging). You use the relay contacts on the Tortoise machine with one relay common tied to each closure rail and the appropriate polarity connections on the NO/NC connection. Did that with our #8 curved turnout and engines go through without hesitation at 3 SMPH.

RWL posted:

PJB posted:

I've met Steve several times and been to his shop.  He and his product are top-notch in my opinion.  On occasion, however, I've wondered about what happens to RCS when Steve retires.  He is the driving force behind his product and I'm not sure there is an heir apparent.  Atlas and MTH are companies, so no concern over any employee retirement.  And, someone commented that RCS are the Cadillac.  Well, that distinction belonged to Curtis Switches before Frank retired and stopped making his product.  

When you went to his shop, what were you hoping to see or learn, and did you?

What impressed you most?

I was hoping that he had a brick and mortar store, which he doesn’t have. However, he did say that they would have almost every switch and crossing, they make, in stock for me to see and touch. He also said that on a weekday I could see them working and see how they do things ...

I am also concerned about when Steve retires, and I am sure many others do as well.

?  I haven't been to Norwich in a little over a year or so, but as far as I know, he most certainly does have a brick and mortar - literally, brick and mortar - building where his business is set up and his turnouts are produced. It's a couple floors, has his office area, tons of equipment and stock, piles of raw material, automated aspects, his people working at various stations and shelves of every turnout size (not to mention examples of his turntables and several experimental projects in progress).   

Richard Gonzales posted:

 Here is my experience with engines and Ross switches. Note, my Ross switches are # 11, #4, O72, O 96, Four way yard switches, 0 72 Y and a double cross over.

The Lionel Post war 0 4 0 switchers will not work on Ross switches - the gears hit the guard rails

Any post war engine with slider shoe pick ups, or slider shoes for couplers will not go through a ross switch. The slider shoe pick up will catch in the switch and the slider shoe for the coupler will activate the coupler when the slider shoe crossed the center rail in the switch. The slider shoes on Lionel Operating Cars will also active the car when going through a Ross switch, and also the car really bangs around when going through the switch.

The only modern engine in my collection that does not like a Ross switch is the Lionel NYC  S2 electric engine - . I can remove the third rail pick up from the engine, and it has no problems on the switch.

Finally, after years of sitting in my yard I decide to run my Lionel NYC TMCC crane car a few weeks ago. To my dismay the lower part of the crane car frame hits the Z 1000 spring when the crane car goes across the switch.

I hope this helps.

Richard

 

"the simulated third rail pick up hits the Z 1000 switch machines"

"To my dismay the lower part of the crane car frame hits the Z 1000 spring when the crane car goes across the switch."

Of course not Ross switch issues,  ZStuff issues.

Have had some problems with guests bringing K-Line electrics with fake outside third rail pick-up as well, plus locos with oversize gears as Matt mentioned. Some Williams heavyweights seem to catch the pick-up roller and tear it loose also. Any modern production stuff seems to run fine.

PJB posted:

RWL posted:

PJB posted:

I've met Steve several times and been to his shop.  He and his product are top-notch in my opinion.  On occasion, however, I've wondered about what happens to RCS when Steve retires.  He is the driving force behind his product and I'm not sure there is an heir apparent.  Atlas and MTH are companies, so no concern over any employee retirement.  And, someone commented that RCS are the Cadillac.  Well, that distinction belonged to Curtis Switches before Frank retired and stopped making his product.  

When you went to his shop, what were you hoping to see or learn, and did you?

What impressed you most?

I was hoping that he had a brick and mortar store, which he doesn’t have. However, he did say that they would have almost every switch and crossing, they make, in stock for me to see and touch. He also said that on a weekday I could see them working and see how they do things ...

I am also concerned about when Steve retires, and I am sure many others do as well.

?  I haven't been to Norwich in a little over a year or so, but as far as I know, he most certainly does have a brick and mortar - literally, brick and mortar - building where his business is set up and his turnouts are produced. It's a couple floors, has his office area, tons of equipment and stock, piles of raw material, automated aspects, his people working at various stations and shelves of every turnout size (not to mention examples of his turntables and several experimental projects in progress).   

I didn't mean to incinuate that he didn't have a brick and morter building where he mfgs the equipment, and it is all made right there in Norwich, Connecticut, USA. I just meant that he didn't have an actual Store with layouts, displays, and all that stuff, you know, where you can go in and just brouse. To visit, is to do just that, visit his facility, which he seems just fine with, and I look very forward to doing.

RWL - you're right. His facility isn't a store in terms of displays. And, it would be nice to see one or two all wired up and functional.   But in context, we're talking about turnouts. Presumably, anyone in the market and wanting RCSs knows what they are, how they work and has already decided on brand.   

PJB posted:

RWL - you're right. His facility isn't a store in terms of displays. And, it would be nice to see one or two all wired up and functional.   But in context, we're talking about turnouts. Presumably, anyone in the market and wanting RCSs knows what they are, how they work and has already decided on brand.   

Completely Understood, and Agreed!!!

Don't get me wrong here, I have over 50 Ross switches. They are the best on the market.

Richard