Experiences with Gargraves?

[Demon09]

I'm planning on rebuilding my layout soon, and since most of the engines I want to run will not run on my 0-27 curves, I am considering using the more realistic Gargraves flextrack than buying 0-27 larger radius curves.  In hidden areas I may use the mating pins for Gargraves to 0-27, so I will still have some original track (though probably only straight pieces).

In light of that, what have your experinces been with flextrack?  Is it easy to make the radius that you wanted? How well do the switches work?  Are they low profile (a few of the new cars I got recently will not run on my layout now due to tight curves, and high switch housings on 1122 switches)?  Is it ultimately more or less expensive than traditional 0-27 with added ties? (my layout will be 5x9 with an upper level 4x8, so I will probably need a lot of track)

Thanks to all!

[Anonymous]

While I don't have any GG track yet, with the flex track it's possible to make just about any radius curve, provided that it's done properly. GG also sells the curved sectional track as well, and you can get them in either with the wood ties or the plastic ones.

You should get the GG video on their track system from the company (I gotten a complimentary copy of the video from them and a catalog just for asking) and you can learn more about their products.

GG switches I have no experience with as I never owned any, but from what I have been reading and researching, the Ross switches are the best. Though they are more expensive you won't have any derailment issues with them and should last a lifetime. From what I read, the GG manual switches are not that expensive; on the AM Hobbies website, they have the O-42 manual switches for only $27.....even the O-72 manuals are the same price, which I think is a great deal. If going for remotes they are not much more expensive being $40, even for the O-100 switches.

I am planning on making a new floor layout myself because my Gunderson Twin-Stack cars won't run on the O-36 FT curves I have setup for a testing layout (mix of FT and tubular O track) so unfortunately the Gundersons will have to remain in their boxes for awhile until I order more track with wider curves. I am considering going the GarGraves/Ross combination since I like the look of the track and the switches.

If you dont have it already, a good tool to look into getting is the Dremel tool for cutting track, especially when making custom radiuses with the GG flex.


Hope this helps!

[ferronut]

hi demon09! yes  i got good expierence with gargraves track and turnouts .. also gg offers curves sections in different rad. 32",42",54",72", which in turn it helped to design y build my layout much faster!,,my layout its small 8x8` two loops, outter loop rad. its 54", inner loop its got 42" rad.curves with 32" gg switches, and in 42" as well , also got various sidings to served the industries.at first i had 0-27 switches but i start it to add more scale stuff and couldnt run em they hit on the switch box!  so i opt to use gargraves track and  switches so far i dont regret it .the track apears relistic with the wooden ties! you can bend the curves at your desired rad. and the straight sections are 36" long. also gg offers transition pins to conect lionel tubular track to gargraves track . now the switches are low profile, the box for the control motor is flat! on the remote ones with the dz1000 machine i think thats their name, or non remote switches even better no interfierence of any kind when using long,big ,heavy rolling stock or engines!, and more thing i did put them switches  to the test! and guess what! no malfuctions or derrailments yet! no matter what speed the train goes! 100% reliable! and its not that expensive and the gargraves products are USA MADE!,...also agreed  with the  trainmaster ! ihope this works for demon09!

[chuck]

I like the wood ties on Gargraves and I learned how to bend it.  It's usually easer to bend the larger radius curves in place and use the fixed radius track where you really need a tight turn.  Ross Custom switches are 100% compatible.  They have an unbelievable selection including pre-made crossovers, double curved and a double slip (puzzle) swicth.  I haven't tried any of the newer Gragraves switches with the cast switch points.  These were the weakest feature of the old Gagraves line (stamped steel and often mis-aligned).  Both companines use DZ swich machines that are low profile and can even be mounted under the layout if you really want to hide them. 

GG can be adapted to O-27 with special pins, O with special pins and shims to match rail height and Atlas (also with special pins).  If yu need a section of "specialty track" that one of the other companies make, no problem.

[tex702]

Demon09 I am still in the process of building my layout.  For my layout I do not have a plan.  I cannot follow plans very good so I find it better for me to just wing it as I go along.  I have been using both gargraves flex and curved track and fastrack.  My layout has a very extensive trrestle in it and that is what I am using the gargraves for.  I have some very tight curves and I tried to bend my own track.  For large curves I strongly recommend gargraves flex track.  The curves I have in my layout are very tight and I tried to bend the track with not much sucess I might add.  This only means that I was not put on this earth to bend track however many many people I know have had a very good sucess rate bending gargraves.  I ended up using gargraves 0-32 curved track that fit my needs very well.

[Demon09]

Well so far everything I hear about GG looks very promising.  As far as the curves, I will likely use about 42'' curves on the larger curves, and may or may not bend them myself.  I will probably buy a pre-bent section and test it on a corner before I put all my eggs in one basket so to speak and get only flex track.

[ferronut]

hi damon09 i am trying  to post a pict of my layout on this mesage but i am clueless how to do it, to give you an idea how it looks  with those some what broad curves! 0-42" &0-54" ..oh well i`ll keep trying

[trainmasterz]

I just posted some pics of our GarG layout on the coffe pot.  Then I stumbled across this thread.  I wouldnt go with anyother track it is the most realistic and easiest to work with and easy to bend and you can use a template of the radius you want to be greater than and youll have no problem running your new locos and............. .  That is the ONE thing I will say. 

[trainmasterz]

I agree with the trainmaster also.  the "dremil" is what I used to cut the 3 rails to match.  As far as the switches go,  GG cant be beat weve used a pneumatic system so all you have is the cylinder which is about 3/8" laying on the switch. so id say its not low profile id say its no profile!

[trainmasterz]

I appologize, 

We have used the ross 072" switches with the GG track and the pneumatic system. regardless it works great!  nice slow turnouts look pretty good im my eyes.  dont get me wrong im all about the toy in toy trains but a little realistic ness if thats a word makes it that much better.  I couldnt care less how many rivets are on it.

[phillyreading]

The GarGraves switches are low (similar to Atlas H.O. switches in height) profile & usually allow almost any trains thru the switch, one more thing is the switch machine is mounted on the side of the switch & not inside the switch like on Lionel & MTH. The only thing is that wiring the GarGraves switch can get a little pricey if using a combination with DZ switch machines, example is the DZ1008 & DZ1000. One other thing about GarGraves track is that you can buy it in stainless steel for high moisture areas.  I have not used GarGraves track for my pre-war Lionel so I can not say for sure about the depth of pre-war locomotive flanges on the wheels.

Lee F.

[poppyl]

If you can afford it, I'd recommend going with Ross switches, particularly for tighter turnouts.  The GG track is great and their larger radius switches are okay but the O42's can give you some problems, mainly with the front trucks on steamers, due to uneven heights of plastic components across the switch and poorly seating frog rails.  Sanding, filing, and some bending will eventually fix most of the jumpiness and possible derailing but it can be frustrating in the meantime.  Although not every GG switch had these problems, I changed out to Ross and never looked back.  I guess that you could say that you get what you pay for -- lower price and less attention to detail.  I might also add that the same sort of quality issue exists for the Ross versus GG diamonds in terms of smooth operation.

 

Poppyl

[trainmasterz]

Yeah, what he said.

[phillyreading]

I forgot but I have had a bad experiance with a GarGraves 042 switch and a new MTH steam locomotive, a Reading T1 4-8-4, the steam loco would derail at the switch. Took me a few days to fix the problem as the track was not 100 percent level within four feet of the switch at all three meeting locations for the track, and just to be safe I installed a new GarGraves switch. Just for you Pennsylvania Railroad fans the Reading had a differant version of the T1 than Pennsy did, the Pennsy was a 4-4-4-4 and the Reading was a 4-8-4.

Lee F.