O Gauge Garden Rail Roading Track: Lionel 0 Gauge vs MTH O31 vs Atlas Stainless

[Anonymous]

Good Afternoon,

We live in Minnesota - variety of weather conditions: Hot, Cold,Wet, Dry!

My son and I as a Boy Scout Merit Badge Project are expanding our present O-Gauge Lionel MTH Consist to a 'Covered" Outside Garden Railroad. We also have a variety of inherited Lionel and K-line Engines, Cars, Track 1960-2005

Ours will not be the traditional ground level garden railroad. We will using our old 10 x 5 table that has been marine varnished top/bottom/ adding boulders, bushes, .. around it to make it more realistic.
It will be about 25 inches high off the ground. two long runs, 3-4 Various Switching and Turnouts ...
It will be covered at night or when not in use with ground cloth.

Question(s):
1). We have alot of extra MTH Real Trax O-31, O-42, We would like to use this track to cut down on cost to build Can this be used outdoors with wd-40 or will it rust?
If it is prone to rust. How long before it may begin to rust heavily? Months, Year (s)?

2). We also have a lot of 1960's (Rusted , yet cleaned (bright boy) Lionel O-27 track and switches. Could this be used or combined with MTH Real Trax?

3). Everyone we have talked to suggests stainless steel O gauge (Atlas ...).
This railroad may be outside around 1-3 years. Would the MTH Real Trax or Lionel O-27 last that long?

4). We have older 0-27 Lionel (refurbished) Engines that we would like to run on this railway. Can our Rail King Engines or Premier Engines Run Outside during good driving conditions on O-27.

Any Suggestions regarding our O-gauge Outdoor Rail Road would be helpful.

Thank all for your time and consideration,
GrandmasterII

[CSXect]

Have not done it myself but Gargraves makes stainless steel track with ties that are UV resistant Gargraves will mate up with 0-27 track with adapter pins sold by gargraves.

A note about power packs/transformers mine overheated on my front porch in 90 degree weather so if you run make sure your transformer is over rated so it is not taxed to the limit.

[Anonymous]

CsKect, Thank you for the Reply. The Scouts have decided to experiment with one section of each track we presently have O-27, O- gauge (tubular); MTH Real Trax leaving them outside to see what happens . Thus opening a whole new arena for learning Who takes care of track, What causes ..., When does it need to cleaned Where: Does Shade help...? i.e. oxidation, warping, is there a film of dirt on the track .. How did it get there, What can be done to clean the track ...
Thanks Again - Have a Great Day!

Grandmaster II.

[CSXect]

Was a scout off and on in my youth, the older I got the less I stuck with it. I kinda wish I had given Explores a try. I think I made it as far As STAR. I was picked a few times to become part of the order of the arrow but turned it down as I was losing interest in scouting. Will have to look and see if I got the Model railroader bage I still have the book on the badge and how to get it.[:D][8D]