i need a few of you guys opinion on what i should do. i havent been working on my layout for the past month. the reason being is that i cant decide if i want to take the track up and redo it. as being replacing my fastrack with gargraves track but i dont know if that will be an easy task. i like the fastrack and i have nothing against it but i just like the appereance that the gargraves gives off when its laying on top of the cork road bed. plus the fastrack isn't as flexible as the gargraves. i like the fact that i will really beable to get/and do the track plan that i really wanted as in having a bigger train yard. which i have a three track yard but i really wanted an 8 track yard which will be made up with the ross custom 8 yard track switch. help please i need some extra advice before i jump off into to this. just want to hear what you guys think. let me remind you that i have a nice size layout and it will not be an easy task.
I am just finishing up a rather large layout for a friend using Gargraves track and Ross switches.they are pricey but well worth the trouble.I would highly recomend the change.There is just enough room between the yard tracks for Z-stuff IR sensors.Thats about twice as many tracks in the same srea.The mainlines run trouble free and the opportunities for switching much more enjoyable.If you can afford it,I would say go ahead.I have photios posted at http://community.webshots.com/user/otftch. Look for Allan's Layout albums.
Ed
Jon
So many roads, so little time.
Reggie,
I just finished up........well almost.... putting down Gargraves on cork and installing Ross turnouts on my 8' by 13' table. If I can do it, anyone can. And by the way..... if the person is around who recommended using stick pins to hold the cork down to the table while gluing - thank you for that tip man! Thank you. For a layout your size I'd recommend a series of track laying parties for nearby train fanatics though! I used as much preformed Gargraves curve sections as possible so I'd only use that flex feature a minimum of times. I have the video from Gargraves showing techniques for putting the stuff down and bending sections. If you'd like it I'd send it your way. I'm sure you could do it and the stuff would look the way you want it to so that would be good. Use a clear adhesive caulk to glue down the cork road bed. This way you minimize the direct connections from the cork to the table..... less noise is suppose to be the result. You'll spend a little more time wiring up the non-derail feature on the Ross turnouts as you need to sectionalize a short length of track on each leg to get that feature operating properly. Maybe you could select one area on your layout and Rossify/Gargravify it as a test? This would be a big project but I'm sure you could do it...........
Jim
Hello Reggie:
I am currently working on a much smaller layout (6'x9'). As I go through the process of constructing the layout, I have come to realize that the journey is as much fun as reaching the destination. So, if economics are not an issue, if you like the Gargraves flexibility, do it. Otherwise, you will be second guessing yourself forever into the future.
Regards,
John O
I had just 0-27 track when I started, then branch out to 0-42,0-54. Now I went to 0-72 in fast track for half of the layout the other half is in 0-42 and 054. Sometimes its nice to use other track in your plans. Maybe one of these days I'll get into Gargraves but with all the track I have now I doubt it. But then again never say never.
laz57
One bad thing about this hobby which is also a good thing, is that you are never really done with your layout. If you have the time and finances available, go ahead and switch to do the plan you want. If not, then run your trains, work on some ideas and after awhile, you can change. You may even pick up some more ideas along the way. Good Luck,
dennis
TCA#09-63805
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
Looking at this from a different perspective - sometimes you've just got to get moving.
I'm amazed at the scope of Reggie's layout, and although I have not followed Reggie's journey closely, I get the impression this is his first "full blown all the bells and whistles" layout. With that said, if I were Reggie, I would proceed on the fast track route. I think Reggie already has a t-o-n of money tied up in fast track and has the layout to the point where he can run some trains and enjoy it. Starting over at this point could be discouraging, particularly with a tougher track type.
This layout will most likely not be your last, so really getting some enoyment out of it and having the time to digest the fun of the hobby isn't a bad thing. You've already learned many many lessons about doing this, and once you get it running, you are going to learn a few more. I would finish it, enjoy it, make notes of what you would like to improve the next go round and at a future time, start planning the "ultimate" layout.
No one does it perfect the first time, and even if you start over, once you get it built, it still won't be perfect. Carry it through on the route you are on, and have the time to digest what you are happy with and what you wish you had done. In my opinion, that's going to give you a lot more insight into what will make your next great layout.
jonadel wrote: That's like saying girls shouldn't be allowed to play tuba.
That's like saying girls shouldn't be allowed to play tuba.
I'm at the plate. I see this soft pitch making it's way to the strike zone. It looks as big as a beach ball.
Do I send it for a ride?
My two cents: It appears that you have invested a lot of "$" to date on your hobby. I agree that the Gargraves looks better, allows more flexibility than Fastrack and would probably be quieter. If you have the time and really enjoy the "building" aspect (funds not being a question) go for it.
Personally, though, I would slow down, relax, sit back and enjoy what I have accomplished in such a relatively short time. All the best!
Reggie;
I'm a devoted GG and Ross fan but I think that you should stick with what you have at this point. You've already invested a lot of time, effort and money to get to this point. To start over, I think, would be very frustrating and discouraging.
Since a layout is a continuing work in progress, here's an idea. If you have the space, consider a separate second level sometime in the future where you can use GG and Ross if you still feel the need to do so.
Poppyl
mpzpw3 wrote:After reading your post, I have a question. Could you build the yard you want using Gargraves and Ross switches, while using your previously laid Fastrack for the rest of the layout without too much modification? Mixing track is not that big of a deal. I use 3 different types myself, and no one notices the difference but me.
i thought about this but my question would be are there any transition pieces that would fit from gargraves to fastrack with minimal problems
"i thought about this but my question would be are there any transition pieces that would fit from gargraves to fastrack with minimal problems"
Gargraves sells transition pins to transition from Lionel o gauge to Gargraves. Just use the fastrack transition track to Lionel o gauge and remove the pins and install the Gargraves transition pins and you will go from fastrack to Grargraves.
When I started my layout this fall I designed it around fastrack. I did this due to I had acumulated a lot of pieces like you have. I really didn't realize how much I had til I inventoried it. I would have done it in gargraves. My cost in track to use fastrack was a little over 2K. After my inventory of fastrack, I only needed to spend $100.00 in additional track and I still have a lot of curves left over. I figured if I had it I'll use it and cut my cost on buying all new track. I would keep on doing and enjoy what you got then starting all over. You might do what mpzpw3 said and do a yard with Gargraves and Ross switches. It should look good and get you familar with laying Gargraves and adding balast.
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