Question for "O" gauge/scale Outdoor Garden railroaders....

[Garden Railway]

Hi,

I'm considering an outdoor garden railroad running "O" scale/gauge equipment from manufacturers like Lionel, MTH, and Atlas.

I live in a very mild, dry climate, though we do have a bit of humidity, from time to time.

For those that have dangered into this territory where humidity and regular AC electricity are not very good companions:

1. What type of track do you recommend?  ( I imagine a non-corrosive, quick-drying track is preferable)

2. Due to track expansion/contraction from heat of the sun, what type of installation precautions should one make?

3. I've considered using Lionel's ballasted Fastrack, as it fastens together quite well... though, perhaps too close for normal expansion/contraction due to temperature.

4. I also want to incorporate a number of switches, and was wondering what type of insulation would be necessary around the wire/terminal contacts, so that any humidity would not cause an electrical short.

Any and all suggestions of how one can successfully operate an "O" gauge/scale in an outdoor enviornment would be greatly appreciated!!

Can anyone recommend a web site (or two, or three) where someone has experience with running an outdoor "O" gauge/scale railroad?

Thanks for any information you may have.

...

[ttrigg]

Garden Railway

Welcome to the forum.  I've tried to answer some of your questions as best I can.  We will need to get some of the "O"/"On3" guys to speak up.

I'm considering an outdoor garden railroad running "O" scale/gauge

Several people on this forum have done what you want to do. Should be no problem for you as well.

I live in a very mild, dry climate, though we do have a bit of humidity, from time to time. For those that have dangered into this territory where humidity and regular AC electricity are not very good companions:

A little better hint as to where you are would help. Your profile says -0GMT, it has been more than a few years since I was in the British Isles and I do not recall it being mild and dry.

1. What type of track do you recommend? ( I imagine a non-corrosive, quick-drying track is preferable)

Your regular O gage stuff will rot very quickly outdoors. You are going to need to use a lighter code outdoor rail, preferably a flextrack without the tie strips, as you will be hand laying the rails and ties.

2. Due to track expansion/contraction from heat of the sun, what type of installation precautions should one make?

I live in San Diego and have the climate you describe. My longest straight run of about 60 feet experiences minimal expansion. If you build your right of way as the full sized ones are built, track floating on a bed of crushed stone you should not have to worry about expansion.

3. I've considered using Lionel's ballasted Fastrack, as it fastens together quite well... though, perhaps too close for normal expansion/contraction due to temperature.

Not certain what that is, but since I'm sure it is designed for indoor use, I'm sure it will quickly rot away. Water is not the real culprit outside, it is the sun. UV rays in particular.

4. I also want to incorporate a number of switches, and was wondering what type of insulation would be necessary around the wire/terminal contacts, so that any humidity would not cause an electrical short.

Not sure what you can do here but hand lay your own switches, the mechanisms used for outdoors are water-resistant.

 

Any and all suggestions of how one can successfully operate an "O" gauge/scale in an outdoor enviornment would be greatly appreciated!! Can anyone recommend a web site (or two, or three) where someone has experience with running an outdoor "O" gauge/scale railroad?

Yes! You are here. Spend a few days reading the older postings, there are a few folks doing On3. Read up on their post and you should find all the answers to your questions.

[dougdagrump]

Fasttrack is doubtful for outdoor use due to rusting and continuity issues. I have seen Atlas and Gargraves used with great success and some experimentation with MTH realtrax. Unfortunately railclamps as are commonly used in "G" do not exist in "O" so be prepared to do a lot of soldering. Atlas has UV stabilized plastic ties and Gargraves uses treated wood I believe

Existing switches, electric, will not work out of doors if exposed to the elements. The motors are not designed for outdoors, they will need to be converted to pneumatic or weather tite motor/electronics. You mite be able to get by if you can come up with some very good covers for them when not in use.

That's about my .

Check the other garden forums and the toy train forum with searches for "Outdoor O".

[cabbage]

Well I live in one of the most wettest and miserable parts of the UK -(they build a lot of reservoirs here for some reason....) I have had PECO SM32 rail outside since 2001 and all it has got -is wet... It is a Nickel Silver alloy and tarnishes to a brown colour. I do not use track power -but I am told that it conducts well despite the oxidation -which is conductive.

I do not know how hard it is to get PECO Streamline track in the US -but it is very robust and has been used by quite a few "O" scale users here in the UK.

regards

ralph