[cschroeder6]

Looking for some advice and input. Finally going to be setting up a permanent layout in it's own room once we move into the new house. I am debating track, as I grew up and have a nice little stash of Atlas O Nickel Silver Rail. Lately, Ross Custom Switches variety in switches and reviews have really gotten me intrigued to their switches, but I am not sure I wan't to combine the Atlas track with their switches for aesthetic reasons. Has anyone done a full layout in Ross Track? (Could save on shipping possibly as Ross Custom Switches is 30 minutes from my house.) Thanks everyone!

 

[Toy train hobby]

Interesting... I wasn't aware that he was producing track. Regarding aesthetics, his switches also go well with GarGraves Phantom track, as well.

I used his switches, but Steve wasn't producing track when I built my layout. Have fun deciding and building!

 

[Maxum]

I use Ross turnouts and Gargraves flex track on my layout.

 

[cschroeder6]

I use Ross turnouts and Gargraves flex track on my layout.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFXK993e9Ng

That does look really good together. Is Gargraves a quiet track. That is one thing I like about Atlas

 

[Maxum]

Gargraves is tubular track, but it sits on wooden ties which helps insulate it against noise. You can see I use sound board for the base of my layout, so noise is minimal. One of the reasons I went with Gargraves track was due to aesthetics with the Ross turnouts.

 

[Spence]

My layout is 95% Ross track & switches. I have about 400' of it.

 

[cschroeder6]

My layout is 95% Ross track & switches. I have about 400' of it.

Does the rest of the track compare to the quality of the switches?

 

[Bill Webb]

We are using Ross track and turnouts and are very pleased. It is easy to work with. Our layout is about 38 X 18 so we have a lot of it also.

A few times we have wanted flex track and Ross and Gargraves fit perfectly.

Steve has been helpful when we had any questions.

 

[Spence]

Does the rest of the track compare to the quality of the switches?

Most definately.

 

[seayakbill]

Most of the large club layouts are Ross Switches and Gargraves Track. Hard to beat that combination.

Bill

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

The Ross track is the same quality as the switches. I went with Gargraves track as it looks great and is way cheaper. However, I am doing all Ross switches.

 

[Maxum]

I went with Gargraves track as it looks great and is way cheaper.

That is two of the reasons I use Gargraves flex track. Funny thing, Ross sells the case of 51 pieces of Gargraves track for the best price. So that's who I buy it from.

 

[gunrunnerjohn]

I bought my Gargraves from Ross as well, same time I was buying the switches.

 

[cschroeder6]

Thank you all for the input. I’m going to hit up SCARM and start playing with the GG/Ross combo and all Ross to see what I can come up with.

 

[Lehigh74]

The nice thing about Gargraves flex track is you can make any diameter you need. If you go with sectional curves, note that there are a few diameters where Gargraves and Ross differ slightly (e.g. Gargraves 32”/ Ross 31”, Gargraves 89”/ Ross 88”). Also note that if you plan to apply ballast, the tie stain in Ross track and switches will bleed when you apply the alcohol wetting agent. Doesn’t look bad actually. Kind of like an oil spill.

 

[cschroeder6]

The nice thing about Gargraves flex track is you can make any diameter you need. If you go with sectional curves, note that there are a few diameters where Gargraves and Ross differ slightly (e.g. Gargraves 32”/ Ross 31”, Gargraves 89”/ Ross 88”). Also note that if you plan to apply ballast, the tie stain in Ross track and switches will bleed when you apply the alcohol wetting agent. Doesn’t look bad actually. Kind of like an oil spill.

Good tip on the bleeding when ballasting. I wonder if sealing the ties with a wood clear wood sealer would be something to look at, tedious I’m sure

 

[pennwest]

It's the alcohol that some use that causes the bleeding. If you use water with a few drops of dish detergent (to break the surface tension) as a wetting agent then there is no bleeding. I did about 2000 feet of track with the water/detergent so it works great. I also used the Gargraves track/Ross switches combination and have been very happy with it.