O-Guage outdoors

[Anonymous]

Has anyone had luck with O-Gauge(3) rail outdoors.I have a lot of O-27 cars and a few engines but I would like to move up to O scale.My question is since I have limited room to build a scale layout inside, what would it take to build one outdoors. I know that gargrave makes stainless flex track and switches. How do they hold up?.Does TMCC work outdoors?. Any help would be appriciated

[Anonymous]

I too would like to know ? I just got my girls a lionel pennsy set. i would like to try this first to maybe promote garden railroading for family support before purchasing G scale. All my stuff is S scale.
Waiting like you for an answer.

Carpenter Matt

[cacole]

Several people that I correspond with through e-mail have O-Gauge outdoor layouts in the Southern California area. I think they have outdoor sheds to store the locomotives and rolling stock in when not in operation. They also have a mix of on-board battery powered locomotives and track powered. Sorry I can't provide a more definitive answer about the type of track they use because I have never visited their layouts, but I do know that they use 2-rail track that is made specifically for outdoor use, and not Lionel or Gargraves 3-rail. They model what is known in O-Gauge circles as Proto-48.

[mkblk]

[:)]Good news for you "O" Gaugers! It seems that Atlas manufactures 2 and 3 rail prototypical looking track suitable for indoor or outdoor use. In addtion, they offer a full range of accessories including turn-outs (conventional and curved), crossings, flex-track and transition pieces for Gargraves, etc. It will even connect with Lionel tubular track and Super O!

Get the Atlas catalog at your hobby store or contact them on line at atlas0.com.

[Anonymous]

[:p][:D][:)][8D][;)]

Yes you can put it out I have mine outside around my 50 gallon pond and waterfall. I use the atlas 3 rail track. The key is just a once a week cleaning, I recommend getting a track cleaner car I have a caboose tha does it. I purchased an O guage MTH starter set I am using that locomotive, I purchased my own rolling stock separtely. A strong advisory though you must not leave the train in the weather. I have built a teak train house and I park mine in that and shut the little doors on it at night. any more questions or if you want pictures or something just email me. [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Try MTH real track. I conducted a three month out door test on a piece. I noticed no deteriation except for a little oxidation of the center rail.

[smcgill]

I used to run my Lionel up over the doors a round the ceiling in the family room!
The train took up little space and it could be seen by all.

[Anonymous]

Hi
In the UK "O" scale has been used out side for years and also the English popular
outdoor scale of 16mm =one foot runs on the same gauge.
You will not be able to use tin plate style track out side you will need solid rails and uv stable sleepers atlas advertise their track is suitable for indoor/outdoor use or you can hand lay your own.
some one mentioned 'S' scale whats that?.
if it is smaller than "O" my imediate responce and prsonal oppinion would be forget it.
It is too small to be practical outside
regards John

[IRONROOSTER]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Busby

Hi
....some one mentioned 'S' scale whats that?.
....
regards John

S scale is 1/64 scale. This the American Flyer scale. It has followers in UK (where it once was known as H1). A number of Australians used it with HO track to model 42" gauge.
Enjoy
Paul

[Anonymous]

nklbarr
I can't tell you if O guage works outdoors but I can tell TMCC does. My whole G scale setup is run by it. It does have some distance hitches. You have to place the base unit in the center but it works well with both engines and accessories. Some accessory contollers aren't as waterproof as could be and have to be hidden in structures, but they look better unseen anyway. I believe G scale is the only one with sunlight protection in the plastic, so I would have to say the O would probably fade.

[Anonymous]

Hi perryb
O scale has been used out doors for years the rider being you must have propper track not tin plate.
the trains go indoors after use just the same as G ones.
O and Gauge 1 where the out door trains before G WETI was invented.
Regards John

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

For realistic 'O' guage track check out Peco, a UK firm that exports to the states and I would think Oz as well. They manufacture in all sizes from 'Z' to 'G' and their product is very much a scale product for rail profile. Check them out @
http://www.continental-modeller.com
Cheers,
Kim,[tup]

[Anonymous]

Hi kim
The OO N SM32 and G track is avalable along with a whole heap of other stuff is avalable in OZ .
I ordered an sm32 wagon turntable the othe day and enquired about the price of points
regards John.

[Anonymous]

Thanks John
Even at 62 I can learn, it's the retention that's troublesome.

[Anonymous]

Hi perryb
Memory retention with all the model railway information there is out there in the big wide world.
I think we all have the same problem regardles of age I have a photo of a garden railway from the 50's SOME WHERE, with the then new propper rail and a mix of Hornby,
Basset Lowke and Australian made "O" clockwork trains on a garden railway.
I am told by the photograper that took the picture picking up the locomotives to re wind them was a no no and the keys where tacktfully put in your pocket out of sight
The picture was sent to me for the station buildings on it so I could see what they looked like.
regards John

[Anonymous]

John,
If you want me to check out prices at this end let me know.
cheers,
Kim
[tup]

[Wild Bill]

Hi nkalbrr; To answer the question difinitivley: I have over 500' of outdoor "O" guage out in the yard. put it in this last winter.
The track is all Atas three rail, 40" flex track made out of nickle-silver. I put it on thye ground the same way the "big" guys do it. 6" wide trench, 1.5" deep. filled to top with 1/8" crusher fines. wireing from Malibu lighting in a "hub and spoke" fashon.
The track is holding up beatifully, can be walked on, or run over with garden tractor.
MTH DCS workes great! I clean track with Trackman 2000 cleaning car at start of every session.
The suggestions to keep rolling stock out of waether when not in use is a good one, as its not U.V. rated as the larger scale.
The benifit is that you get a lot more train for the space, and some very prototypical curves and such. My tightest curve is probably a 20" radius.
I run almost all MTH equipment, and all the sounds, and smoke are already built in.
We have some of the most fun you can imangine when new guest come out into the backyard and see the "little" train running along the edge of the lawn!!
Little is in quotes 'cause The daylight GS-4, and 12 heavy weights are over 35' long!
Hope this helps ya out , Bill