Your Opinion on New Gargraves Switches

Imho- save up for the Ross. It will be worth it in the long run. Ross isn't tat much more expensive than gg for the switches. I had bad vodoo with gargraves switches in the past.

Save up and buy the Ross switches! You won't regret it.

Gargraves are good only if you don't run any MTH engines or with Williams engines.

 

Lee Fritz

The newest GG switches are very much like Ross now. 

Last train show I went to I bought 5 GG and one Ross switch. 

All were used but in perfect condition. 

The GG were $10 each and the Ross $30....

My locos do not have issues with older GG so these new GG switches that look like a Ross should be fine. Either are fine in my book. 

The old GG switches had problems but the new ones are much improved. I use Ross but if your budget won't allow it, go with the Gargraves. Don

 

I have 13 GG switches on my layout and a friend also has several GG switches on his layout.  We both run MTH only and have for several years and have no problems. 

New GG switches are great stand ins for Ross switches. I use GG until I can upgrade to Ross.

What is great about the Ross switches are the better frogs and throws. The wood ties look great too. 

BMW vs Chevy Volt.

38 Gargraves switches.  Same issue, as you, with Ross they are very expensive.  I replaced all of my Lionel O27 tubular track switches with Gargraves.  And they have given us an excellent, affordable, product.

 

Edit - Installation depends on your track.  It is a tubular product and mates well with O27 and O and they sell pins to fit.  You might have to do a little shimming.  But, the installation is straight forward and they have very good directions. 

 

Yes they do run independent of track power and use accessory power.  Or you can get use the manual ones and they don't use any power....

 

They best buy, for in the package Gargraves, I have found is wholesaletrains.com.

 

I have mostly pre 1991 Gargraves a few post 1991 Gargraves and one Ross.  I just ordered one Ross switch with DZ1000 ($90) and a few Gargraves with DZ1000 ($58).  The Ross switches sure looks nicer than the Gargraves, but due to the price difference, I have only gotten them when I can’t find a Gargraves switch that will work for what I need to do.  Some engines have occasional problems with the older Gargraves switches, but I have had no problems with the new style Gargraves switches (model 103RC / 104RC) or the Ross.

 

I would recommend accessory power to operate the switch machine.  The switches are easy to install.  Note that the Ross is wired for power throughout (it has all center rails connected and all outside rails connected).  The Gargraves is not powered thru so you will need to install jumper wires for the center rails.

 

Charles Ro also has the Gargraves switches at a good price.