Outdoor "O" Layout

[dougdagrump]

I have come to the realization that for at least several years I will not have the space available for a layout inside the house, so my question is "The Feasability Of An Outdoor Layout" ?
Or just bite the bullet and go for "G" ?
Comments, suggesstions, ideas. I'm listening.[%-)]

[Roger Bielen]

Doug,

There have been a few threads on the other forum concerning outdoor O-gauge. The problem I'd be most concerned with is keeping the track clean, that can be a problem even indoors. I've toyed with the idea of a G outdoor system, after I hit that big lottery, even with that I feel that battery powered radio control would be the most desirable.

With any outdoor track powered layout I think you'll spend more time cleaning track than running trains. Did you check for anything on the Garden forum?

[spankybird]

I don’t have one because the winters in NE Ohio are just to darn ugly for one.

GarGraves makes a stainless steel track with plastic ties for outside use in O gague.

[FJ and G]

doug,

All problems can be overcome but there are some important cautions before jumping into this headfirst.

1. Track: ensure the rails are made for outside. Tubular track would rust but some track is more resistant to rusting. I hesitate to name which track would work but I believe nickle-silver rails would stand up. Also, if ties are plastic, are they U/V resistant? If not, you can always replace them with treated wood ties.

2. As already mentioned, track clearance because locomotives are not designed to operate where stuff can get into the gears. So, clean track would be a must. You might even consider raising the track up on a concrete footing as some G ers do. You actually can leave the ballast loose, as a number of indoor layouts have loose ballast. Some folks will disagree with this last advice so if you are concerned about loose ballast, you can embed the ballast into the concrete before it dries. There are other ways to hold the ballast together as well.

3. You don't want to operate the trains in inclement weather (snow, rain) because they are not properly sealed. Also, you don't want to operate them in sun because if you are using plastic for anything, then U/V rays will destroy them over time. Same goes for structures. Use wood or metal or perhaps some paints over plastic will stop U/V. I'm not too familiar with plastic U/V protection; ask the G-scale guys on Kalmbach forum. So if you can't run the trains in sun or inclement weather, you can run them in the early morning and evening or an overcast day, but some might say that U/V would still get thru. I believe there is a type of U/V protection spray (not sun tan lotion, tho that might work) that you can coat the trains with. An expert can step in here.

4. There actually are some advantages to operating O instead of G outside, the biggest being you can lay more tracks (scale wise) and get a bigger empire. And biggest of all, you don't need to completely purchase new stuff.

5. A good compromise would be to run the trains outside and inside via a PCV pipe or doggy-type door.

I could think of more things to say, but my typing fingers are fatigued.

Dave Vergun

BTW, PLEASE, let us know how it went.

[IRONROOSTER]

John Armstrong in his book"Creative Layout Design" has an outdoor O scale layout. It makes use of the garage and a 10x20' "Hobby Lobby" building for a yard at each end of a fairly long run..
Enjoy
Paul

[bluelinec4]

A buddy of mine has an outdoor layout in O. He uses Atlas track which is nickel silver and UV resistant. He uses a pole sander to clean the tracks and it works pretty good. He runs the track around his pool and under his deck. The only problem he had was a dog leaving a deposit on the track. He also runs it using TMCC.

Ben

[Buckeye Riveter]

My G scale outdoor layout uses DC low voltage current, where as my O scale is using 18 volts AC. I've read somewhere that the AC is a minor problem with moisture outside.

[dougdagrump]

It appears that the only real solution, short of moving or a room addition, is to invest in a bunch of tubular track and learn to live with carpet burns on my knees from putting together track. Our house is a very open design so I could put down a pretty good sized layout in the living room dining room area. Since we are "empty nesters" it could be left down for several days at a time, or more. Primarily just a BIG PAIN putting it together and turning around to pull it apart. [banghead][censored][|(]

[daan]

Let's combine the two worlds, make a movable layout, but in big sections. Like a 7ft long track section straight or half a circle. If you fix the track to waterproof woodwork you can use it outside on the lawn too.
As long as you use the tracks outside while it's nice weather it won't rust, and if you store it in the garage or on the attic, it stay's clean too. Rebuilding your layout doesn't take much time and it stay's clean. It can be used inside and outside your house, is easy transportable and allows you to build a bigger layout as you could when building a fixed one..