Why Gargraves over Ross track?

As Charlie said, the decision is mostly for cost. The flexible track option with GarGraves also makes track laying a little easier on a permanent layout. But, for a temporary layout, the flex option is irrelevant. You want standard sections that can be disassembled and reused.

Both are about equal in durability. The individually spiked rails at each tie give Ross the edge in appearance IMO.

The plastic vs. wood tie issue is also irrelevant. Both are good.

On my permanent layout I have Ross switches with a random mix of Ross and GarGraves track.

Jim

Ross does make roadbed that fits their line, another consideration to think of.

Thanks for the replies so far. Since neither of the two train stores here carry GG or Ross, can you guys recommend an online dealer with good prices?

The cheapest place I've found for GG is here...

http://www.wholesaletrains.com/QuickShip.asp?Scale=O&Item=GARGRAVES

Any other good dealers?

Go with the Best of Breed-Atlas O track and switches if you can. Everything else can be an option, if cost is a concern. IMHO.

If the layout is temporary I would recommend K-Line snap track. Add pins for better connections. RMT sells super snap and www.justrains.com has some larger curves leftover at good prices. Ross makes a tin plate switch that mates perfectly to the K-Line or regular O gauge and you could also mate existing O27 track to it. Here is Ross tinplate switches used with K-Line track. The straights are older K-Line with 3 shiny rails but the newer K-line is shadow rail. Click photo to enlarge

Dale H

I am a fan of Ross switches and Gargraves flexible track but if I were doing what you do, I would use all Ross products.  I do not like Gargraves sectional track because of the plastic ties.  The best place to buy Ross products I have found is directly from Ross.

I am also a big fan of Atlas track but I use it with Ross switches.  I know that many here are big fans of Atlas switches, but they are the single largest creator of problems on mine and  three other layouts I have help build.  I would not recommend combining the two on a temporary layout.  Also, if you are considering using the Atlas track and switches, any problems you encounter will be less severe because your track will not be screwed down and ballasted (therefore much easier to remove the troublesome switch and replace).

Good luck on your decision and happy railroading,

Don

I think the Atlas O track is beautiful! When I win the lottery, I will replace my track with all Atlas.

I have read many many threads on here about troubles with Atlas (and others) switches. I figure I might as well spend a little more and go with Ross.

My track plan is already designed with Ross track (I used the AnyRail program) so I'm leaning towards all Ross. I'll have to see if it all fits using GG track once AnyRail adds it as an option (soon they tell me).

I've read some of that same stuff, but have not experienced any of these problems. I think that if you study closely the mechanics of your switches, you will be able to understand and identify where well placed graphite lubrication will enhance operation, eliminate unexpected outages and provide long service life. In addition, should something go wrong, your intimate familiarity with the mechanism will enable rapid troubleshooting and repair. Solid installation techniques are also invaluable to smooth operation.

Dale H  - That is ewxactly what I have with the addition of 8 K Line 031, 042 and 0-72 Switches. I think the track looks great and is the actual old tinplate toy train track but with plastic ties. I also place pinns inn most of my snap track. Boy, It guarantees a good connection. Before I completely wired up my new apt size layout I could run my PS 3 engine arounf the whole table, all 3 loops with only 1 (ONE) power connection to the tracks. See my new layout in the track plans section.

Larry in Calgary

Mark,

I'm in the same boat as you. I've planned a back bedroom permanent layout utilizing sectional track w/Ross turnouts and, since I will not be utilizing any (or much) flex it looks like it'll be Ross all the way. I like the "railroady" steel rails on wood ties, scale-like appearance, made in USA, reliability, ease of use, 0-31 product for compactness, sourcing from one supplier, ability to use manual switch throws. Even on straightaways, instead of long sections of flex I plan on sectional straight. This doesn't seem the route for many on this Forum but it's my way, and that's all that matters.

Atlas is the best bet.  If you're concerned about turnouts, go with Ross there.  But, go with Atlas.

I am late to the game here, I realize, but one of the things I liked about going all Ross was consistent look of the ties. I didn't want abrupt changes in tie color and didn't want to have to do additional weathering work to make Gargraves wood match Ross. If Ross had a flexible track option my world would be in complete harmony.

One other thing I recently noticed (on the Gargraves and Ross track I have)...on Gargraves track the metal rails are inserted into groves cut into the wooden ties, on the Ross track the metal rails are not (they're bent underneath) and are held in place with spikes.  I would suspect the Ross track to therefore be a bit quieter than GG.  It's a shame Ross doesn't make flex track.

I think the Atlas O track is beautiful! When I win the lottery, I will replace my track with all Atlas. 

I am sorry but this statement is rediculous! one can easily find used but still new atlas o track sections on the secondary market from 40-60% off MSRP! IF you want it you can get it... even by the case loads! with atlas o's track construction, you don't have to get all new track. The used is just as good with it's SOLID nickel silver rail. One just has to watch out for broken spikes. and even if tyher are just a few broken spikes on a secion, the track is rEPAiraBle. SEARCH this form for the atlaso track repair tutorial I did a couple of years ago.

FACT - A single piece of Atlas 40" Flex track is $22 MSRP, Gargraves 37" Flex track is $10.  That's 2 GG for the price of 1 Atlas, any discounts or For Sale items on the forum for either brand will still be close to 2 for 1.

Ross carries GG Flex Track at $6.50 (min of 10 pieces), but like I stated in my above post, it's not the same design.  Public Delivery Track carries Atlas O Flex track for $15 each or case of 12 for $185.  I saw one listing on the For Sale forum for a case at $150, that's still $12.50 per section.

I bought a piece of Atlas Flex from my LHS (at full MSRP) a while back because I needed a piece of flex track and they didn't have any GG.  It's nice, no question, but twice as nice, subjective.

A quick measurement (I had to get down on the floor with my micrometer to take measurements, so I may have not had them held flat against the tie surfaces) shows the Atlas ties are .189" wide and .256" thick.  The Gargraves ties are .329" wide and .230" thick, thinner in thickness than the Atlas ties and visibly noticeable.  Where Atlas wins out is in the solid nickle silver rail.  If Ross ever offers flex track designed like their curved sections (folded under, not embedded into the ties like GG) then more testing would need to be done to see which brand is quieter.  If Ross could be talked into making their ties narrower, then we might have a clear winner.

Ross and GG look alike at first glance, put a section of Atlas track in between and you can see the difference.  If you look at GG track from the side, you can see the shine of the GG rail between/underneath the surface of the ties (Not so with Ross track).

In the end it depends on what you want for your money.  I've got about 15 Ross switches on my layout, that's a lot of bucks no matter which way you look at it.  After spending that amount and seeing how good they perform one can't help but think about buying their curved sections too.  I fill in any gaps or long straight areas with GG flex track.  My single piece of Atlas flex track is on a shelf where I store my freight cars, waiting for the next call to duty

When you paint both, very hard to tell the difference.  Ross 3 way switches with Gargraves track, Fort Pitt Modular Club.

Note the track spikes mentioned. The middle bottom piece is Gargraves.   Ross Three way mated to two #5 Ross Switches.

Another Gargraves/Ross switch connection.

Finish ballast and rail paint, hard to tell the difference.

Mike,

I agree.  I see you didn't put ballast between the rails, I haven't either on anything but the mainline (and sections I've redone).  I'm not sure if I plan on doing it either.

Did you paint your rails first?  I didn't and the shiny parts of the GG flex track can be seen (between/underneath the ties) so I need to get out a small brush and go round touching them up.

Does Gargraves and Ross go to York?  Maybe someone could try to convince them to "brown/darken" their rails (not the black stuff they use on the middle rail, although that would be better than the shine there is now) at assembly, possibly a dip in "Blacken-It" or some other product that would take the shine off.  I would pay a few dollars more for them to do it vice me having to do it myself (except I've got all the track I presently need and can use).

Here's what GG track looks like from the side:

Ross switch on the left, GG track on the right:

Here's a cross-section view of GG track (sorry for the small photo):

Ross and GG are almost the same. I like the flexible GG track, very econimical, and you can customize your curves. 

 I must admit Atlas ties and track rail look better, but the cost!

Once you ballast GG track you don't see below the top of ties and rail height above the rail is also good

Gargraves has about the best price per foot vs the others. While the ties aren't perfect, it looks good ballasted. Atlas has a better appearance and is quieter because of solid rail, but is pricey. Atlas flexes into a smoother curve unless you try to bend it too sharp without a rail bender. For turnouts, I'd use Ross with either track.

All of the track looks better ballasted, which hides the height of the ties not matter which track you use.

Somebody mentioned buying Atlas O 40" flex nickel silver for $22 a piece.

I buy from Mainline Hobby Supply.  Bonnie gives me a 20% discount off of her already discounted price of $14.85.  That nets my price for brand new 40"track to $11.88.

So don't let price be a problem for Atlas O track.

Corvettte (Paul)