What is the best O gauge track to use in the garden?

[thor]

The house we share is very small and come summertime I'd like to be able to run at least one big outside loop around the garden, if only to see what she'll do! I'm thinking of building a shelf along the garden fence big enough for dual tracks and some switches so it would be a good idea to start collecting track with a view to using it both inside and out. My guess is that the FastTrack that came with the set would probably rust if left outside. I'm thinking of using a flexi track for the long runs and maybe setting up my switches so they can be removed and used inside but leaving the long runs alone.

Perhaps a yard built onto a door in fast track, put out and taken away at the end of each session?

In HO I'd have a lot of choices but I dont know much about O yet. What would be the best/most economical solution and any other suggestions you might care to make?

[cnw1995]

Hi Thor, our resident expert on running O trains outdoors is still on his honeymoon - I think you could search the archive of the forum topics to find an answer. If you plan to put it out and then take it down each evening or not keeping it out in the weather - anything should work, I've run loops of 027 on our deck.

[Jumijo]

Gargraves stainless steel. Comes with your choice of plastic or wooden ties.

Jim

[spankybird]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jaabat

Gargraves stainless steel. Comes with your choice of plastic or wooden ties.

Jim

[#ditto]

[Anonymous]

Some of the guys, here in Pittsburgh, that run O gauge ourdoors use Atlas O nickel silver track. They don't use atlas switch machines outdoors however. Not sure what machines, if any, they use.

[FJ and G]

Hi Thor,

I handlay my track w/ n/s code 148 Right O Way. Conversing with others, the GG is probably the way to go, as they use stainless steel, which while not as conductive as n/s & difficult to solder, appears to be the easiest to maintain cleaning wise (and cleaning is the big task outdoors).

Also, ensure that any switches (turnouts you use are stainless steel and not just steel, as some GG-compatible brands are, or else you'll get rust).

GG is much less costly that Atlas as well.

Just ensure that you get the UV protected plastic ties, keep the joints clamped together well & use conductivity paste, float the roadbed, and lastly, update us or email me separately.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

A local fellow has used Atlas O outdoors for two years now... no problems. It's UV resistant... thats the key. He has 1000+ feet of track. Switches were an issue because they are not water-proof. He switched to air activated this year, and problem solved.
He runs all MTH Premier... naturally weathered, and the engines have performed flawlessly. You should see the "Big Boy" run outside.
Greg

[Brutus]

HOw do they run off air? Does the air throw the switch? How does it throw back then? 2 valves? This is interesting to me since I also have no room right now anyway and would like to do somthing on the deck or in the yard maybe? I already have 2 compressors (1.5 HP pancake and 3 HP 33 Gal) so I could meet any air needs I'd guess. Thanks for any information!

[FJ and G]

Jim F.,

Regarding air, people who use it have nothing but good to say. Here's a useful thread.

http://www.mylargescale.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35476

Also, as Greg states, Atlas is an excellent track for outside, esp. reg. the solid rails, but Thor was looking for something a bit affordable. A fellow in Nevada who I correspond with uses Atlas 3-rail outside. But he frequently has to clean his track. He uses a track cleaning car and since he doesn't like bending down, he supplements the track car with a pad affixed to a drywall sander stick, used to sand drywall on ceilings and walls. The advantage is that the end flexes. Of course he doesn't use sandpaper.

One other item. If you use air outdoors, you should bring in the compressor after using it or keep it in a storage shed so it doesn't rust.

[Anonymous]

I'm not equiped to explain the concept. Although in Gardern Railways, April 1998, issue... a Don Parker of West Salem, OH did an article on electro pneumatic switch machines. If that's any help. I can tell you that its absolutely ideal for outdoor railroading, and I imagine that the boys over at the Garden Railway forum will be very familiar with this type of set-up.
Greg

[Anonymous]

David... thats funny, but I think we're talking about the same guy! I live in Reno, Nevada. I forgot about the track cleaning bit. When I saw his outdoor layout two months ago, he said as long as he put the track cleaning car in the line-up for the first couple rounds, it did the trick. All of his track is laid directly on the ground, with the exception of a bridge over a pond. He also indicated he liked Atlas because their flextrack which made it easy for him to get the curves he needed.
Greg

[dougdagrump]

That same gentleman paid us a visit a couple of weeks ago at the museum. He is an excellent source of info.

[FJ and G]

Greg, Doug,

Seems the stars are aligned in cyberspace. He's been an excellent font of info to me & has even shared w/me a special technique for sealing the roadbed so that his big 100+ pound dog can jump on his track without getting it misaligned.

I'll be using battens for my curves. Only solid roadbed portion are for the turnouts.

If you have any question or wi***o share info, pls keep it coming.

BTW, there are a bunch of garden guys, mostly in Wales, who model 16mm scale on 32mm gauge track. In other words, they run 1:16 2-foot gauge trains on O scale track. Really impressive stuff they do; mostly scratch but now some boxed stuff available. I don't know if there's a term for that type of modeling but I'd assume it would be Gn2.