thoughts on loco

[Anonymous]

O.K., I've come to a decision on what I'm going to build in the back yard. Since my son has an O scale Red Caboose GP-9 just sitting in the hobby room and some freight cars as well, and I've seen that O can be used outdoors, that's what I'll try. What I would like some input on is, does anyone know the quality of the Weaver O scale Baldwin 2-8-0 loco. I came across this loco and think it would look great running through my garden. Is it something worth going for??
Also if I do get it, would it be a good idea to get it with sound installed or not?
Thanks RR

[Anonymous]

Don't let the tail wag the dog!


Rgds Ian

[wa1lbk]

Are you talking 3-rail (Lionel - style AC power) or 2 rail DC-powered O-gauge? Track rusting would be a problem if you're talking running tinplate style track. I know that 2 rail DC power will work with either brass or nickel silver rail; although most O scale track with plastic ties may not have the UV inhibitors that LGB & Aristo-Craft G scale track (sunlight may cause the plastic ties to deteriorate with the UV inhibitors), I've seen outdoor O scale done with handlaid track & wood ties. I previously ran 2-rail DC O-scale indoors before getting into G gauge; I had one Weaver steam locomotive, a streamlined (Jeffersonian - style shroud) PRR K4s Pacific. It was a smooth, trouble- free runner! [^] Although I dismantled my O scale layout years ago, I still have about 6 brass locos in storage, don't have the heart to part with them! [:I] The Weaver streamlined K4s is one of them! [:D] Tom

[Curmudgeon]

Dr. GarGraves has stainless 3-rail, wood ties (altho UV protected plastic is available).
Track ross-level is very critical, as outdoors things warp and settle like you never experienced indoors.
I would use something old and heavy, with little detail to break until I was sure.
Lay some track and try it in the weather you want to run in before you dive in headlong.
I considered it, using my 2-rail ScaleCraft and General Models, but decided on #1 gauge outdoors.
I can tell you that outdoors I would never, ever use finescale flanges, and that's basically what you have with "0".
And whatinthehell does "Don't let the tail wag the dog!" have to do with this discussion?
TOC

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Seems to me that the tail is wagging the dog when one is talking about starting a layout in an unproven medium, yet has no track laid and has enough beginning equipment to prove or disprove the theory, but is talking about substantial $$ outlay for more equipment before proving a workable concept!

That's my view of the semantics of the statement!

[Anonymous]

Weaver makes some good stuff. I have a LV Consolidation and is worth it, Spring for the Sound and TMCC model