Whats the best O gauge switch?????

[Anonymous]

I am redoing part of my layout and am looking at switches. I currently have some lionel 027s that I will no longer use. I have some gargraves with the tortise motor that look and work great BUT the lighted controller is soooo small . I have some k line 042 with the red and green lights, that are still in the box. These look really great but I have not tried them out yet. I have looked at some 022 vintage lionel, that are reasonably priced, but what is the diameter of these and do they work as nice as they look. I have a lot of postwar lionel accessories but have no experience with the 022 switches. I will have one track that needs 054 and the rest will probably be 042. Give me your input on the different switches. Bear in mind that cost is always a consideration, I dont want to spend 100.00 each on these, because I will need 8. Thanks... Tim

[Anonymous]

The curved track portion of your 022 switch is the same as a your regular old 031 curved track.
It just so happens the OGR magazine (Oct 04) that is out now, has a nice article on the cleaning and tuning up of these switches.
I have had many pairs of these over the years and they are good switches. Can't speak for other brands.

Hope this helps.

Rich NYCRR1

[spankybird]

Tim, you haven't said what size track or type of track you are using. Is it 0-27 or 031 tube track?

BTW, I use 027 tube track and LOVE the K-Line low profile switches. Price about $25.00 each. you can see them on my web page.

tom

[ben10ben]

The O22s, from a reliability standpoint, are the best switches ever created(in my opinion). If a problem arises with one, it can almost always be fixed without much effort, and they can almost as easily be resurected from the junk bin. I've paid as little as $10 a pair for switches that turned out just as nicely as my $50 pairs without a whole lot of work.

If you are looking for smooth operation, Ross switches are the way to go, but they're a bit pricy.

[Anonymous]

I am using all Gargraves track.

[pennsy_fan]

I also use gargraves track. however, I am using lionel o gauge switches with gargraves o gauge adapter pins. I recently acquired a couple of gargrave switches that I have had no problems with.

I think that I'm going to purchase a couple of Ross Switches to replace my Lionel ones.
Because I've heard that they are the best switches to use with Gargraves track and I like the way they look. They match up with Gargraves perfectly. Atlas has some good looking, fairly priced switches but Im not sure about mating them with Gargraves track although it can be done. (so I hear). I agree with ben10ben that the lionels have the most reliable switch,but I really like the looks of Ross. Im just replacing my switches a couple at a time as time & money permit.

[3railguy]

I second Ross with Gargraves. Ross makes the best switches over all others. Lionel 022's or K-Line with Gargraves are OK except they are on the clunky side. Don't use Lionel 072 switches. They are first class junk.

i've heard good things about Lionel fastrack switches but I have no idea how they would mate w/gargraves.

[Roger Bielen]

I've used Ross switches and have had no problems. They are reliable and look good.

I have the DZ-1000 switch machines, where seeing the indicator lights is a problem I used a DZ relay to operate an MTH 11011 dwarf signal to indicate status. The relay doesn't need to be attached onto the DZ-1000, mine are wired in under the board.

Instead of using the controllers that come with the DZ's I used momentary contact toggle switches and LED lamps (from Radio Shack) on my control panel and wired the controllers in parallel on the layout facia for sidings that I like to work locally.

The new Z-stuff switch machines sound like they are even better and offer more options than the original.

[FJ and G]

I don't like any 3 rail company switches. i prefer to make my own turnouts

see pictures, scroll to end:

http://davidvergun.tripod.com/