O Scale - in the garden?

[Anonymous]

Are there any O scale train style, scale, or manufacturer be used effectively in the garden?

Where is a there a good directory or guide on doing O scale in the garden?

[SandyR]

The British have done O Scale outdoors for many, many years. I can't help you with specifics about manufacturers, etc., but I bet that if you do a Google search or Yahoo.uk, you'll find lots of information.

SandyR

[RR Redneck]

TALK TO F,G, AND J. He can really help you.

[Anonymous]

Peco in the uk do an excellent outdoor track available in the US too - I guess its the same as their G scale track which has served well for 11 years on my outdoor layout.

 

various rail configurations are available code 124 and 143 tho the 124 is perhaps too  fine for outdoors.

http://www.ogauge.co.uk/peco.html

 

[FJ and G]

You can use any type of O gauge/scale trains outside and track except for toy train tubular and O gauge track with untreated ties. Actually, you could use tubular but it would eventually rust away and you could use gargraves with their balsa ties but they'd need treatment. Other types of track are good.

You could use track power, live steam or battery.

Track power would require a lot of rail cleaning that some do with a drywall pole with britepad attached. My personal preferenc is remote control. There are many systems available. The one I use is homemade and costs a total of $100 including batteries. It can fit inside a locomotive such as SD45, GP38 and larger but you'd want a battery car for a small switcher.

I've been using my outdoor layout for nearly a year now, and the only change I'd make would be to use a minimum of code 197 rail, as ballast sometimes hits the large flanges of toy trains on my code 148. Scale trains would have fewer problems. I've solved most of those problems by using ground cover near the tracks and also spraying concrete bonding adhesive diluted with 2 parts water on the track. It seals the ballast effectively and is used by a number of railroaders. I'd invite you over to see it but can't determine your location from your profile.

Here's some of my early R/C work when I was just getting started.

http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3181048701/m/6931099873

[Wild Bill]

I too have had O scale in the yard for the last 2 1/2 years.Main line is About 600 feet.  I use the same method described by FG&J, with the exception of using Atlas three rail  Nickle-silver track. So far it has held up very well. I also use track power, home run style, with MTH's Z-4000 transformer. everything works, and runs, flawlessly. If you have any questions, don't hesatate to ask.

 Bill

[Anonymous]

Should I try to stick to nickel silver or brass?

Are these readily available in O scale?

[FJ and G]

Depends on if you're using trackpower and which code rail you want that is available. The brass is less expensive. If using track power, there might be some n/s advantage, but imo not that much, you'll still end up having to clean track most likely every session. Other than that, the benefits are pretty much a wash.