Sure, many have done garden RR in O scale. In fact, I believe every scale but Z has been done at one point or another outdoors. For a full debate on this subject, search this forum for "HO in the garden" and you will find this topic to have been beat to death. The consensus is that yes, any scale can be done outdoors with proper modifications, but G is specifically designed to run in the harsh environment thereof. It depends upon how committed you are to overcome the technical obstacles inherent in bringing an indoor scale outside.
Cruize around here a little and you will find one or two outside O scalers
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
It has been done quite successfully in "O", check the attached links.
http://web.mac.com/hankb/wrr
http://www.btcomm.com/trains/primer/o_gauge_outside/o_gauge_outside.htm
http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/453102703/m/4461038354?r=4461038354#4461038354
And one more,
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=wildbill7089&search_type=&search=Search
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Hi sleeperN06
There have been quite a number of "O" scale outdoor railways built over the years.
Your trains will have to be stored indoors when not in use and you will have to purchase, or make track that is UV stable and suitable for outdoor use.
I see you mention your trains are Lionel as I understand it they run on tubular steel rails?? this type of track is NOT recomended for outdoor use you will need solid rails on uv stable sleepers.
Atlas claim there "O" track is UV stable that has solid rails so this might be a suitable track for outdoors.
You will have to check your track for sticks leaves ect before each running session.
You will also have to build all the structures you need for the railway yourself none of the avalable ones that I know of in "O" are suited to outdoor use.
Your track plan needs to be as simple as it can be when outdoors, this is a bit of a balancing act between keeping it interesting enough to run and minimising the amount of maintenace you will need to do. If you can use all manual points (Switches) for your sidings and passing tracks this will cut the problems down quite a bit, also if you can do it with one siding instead of two helps a lot as well.
Oh! and trains don't swim very well so keep them out of the pond
regards John Busby
I'll have to get me a copy of that!!!!!
I think the smaller scales would be idea; anyone for N scale for a condo balcony????
As seen it can be done but as indicated there are also some issues to deal with. The locos and rolling stock are not designed or built for outdoor use so they will require much more maintainence and service as well as indoor storage, turnouts would have to be converted to air actuated or the current switch motors replaced with a weathertite unit.
I have been told that the Atlas structures as well as the track ties are UV resistant. Unfortunately Atlas has discontinued the stailess steel track line so that would only leave the nickle/silver although some are using the Gargraves line of track. There are currently a couple of people experimenting with some of the MTH track although I believe these were being tried more in a patio setting as oppose to a garden setting.
TMCC and DCS have been used with good reults.
the best of both worlds would be a greenhouse.
incidentally, switches can be manual and smaller batteries CAn be fitted into S scale; rather than thnk of ways it can't be done, think of how it can
Thanks guys, I guess I should have done a better search on this subject.
I've only seen G-scale done but then I haven't really been around that much and was afraid to ask. I run my O-scale during the holidays, but have to take it down because of space issues. Then I start running my N-scale trains until the summer months come around when I don't want to be cooped up inside. So if I can workout the rust issue, I'll be railroading all year long. As far as the UV issue I have a 16x12 ft shade fabric installed over my pond to help keep down the algae and also prevent the birds from eating my fish. I don't know how much of a problem the UV will be. I used to install outdoor spas many years ago and we were required by the building code to paint all exposed PVC pipe to protect it from UV exposure. I suppose I could use paint as UV protection.Anyway, you all have been a great help. I at least now know it's a possibility.
tangerine-jack wrote: I believe every scale but Z has been done at one point or another outdoors.
TJ:
You forget that for one summer season I had a Garden Railroad within my Garden Railroad...
Yep! There it was: an operating Z scale road as a scenery item in the back yard Douglas Flatbottom, President of Rosebud Falls Scenic Railways. In the pic above you will need to look rather hard but there were also a few "Z scale people". The rolling stock did ok, the people and the two buildings survived without dammqage, but the track, rails rusted out very fast, ties rotted out even more quickly. The environment is not stable enough to maintain a Z scale setup for any length of time. One fallen petal from a rose bud and you have a major train wreck. A stray seed or two and you have a derailment. I did it simply because someone said that it "could not be done." It can be done, but is it practical to go so small? I say, only as a lark.
Tom Trigg
No Tom, I didn't forget. I was refering to a PERMANENT garden RR, I should have been more clear. I know everything has been tried in the garden at one point or another, but making a permanent, working outdoor railroad is another matter completly.
BTW, what ever did you do with the Z "garden" railroad? I thought it was kinda cool.....
tangerine-jack wrote: BTW, what ever did you do with the Z "garden" railroad? I thought it was kinda cool.....
Until I can locate some brass track for it, it is on a shelf in the garage. To be more precise, it is back inside the footlocker it came from. After I finish this little construction binge, {hotel, saloon, yard office, shipping and receiving dock, 3 houses, a set of logging cars, a couple of bashed up flat cars (remains of new blight cars "salvaged" into the yard office and dock), there are also a couple of Colorado Model Structure enroute (USPS), I just might try to locate some brass Z track and then heavily paint the ties. Who knows I just might put it back in the ground, after all the required wiring is still in the ground and still hooked up to the control panel.
Im planning to run S-scale track outdoors..but not in S-scale:
http://gold.mylargescale.com/Scottychaos/29n2/
Scot
Here in carson City, I am running an MTH train on 3 rail Atlas track around my pond. The track is mostly the new Atlas flex track; nickel silver with UV resistant ties. We range from snow in the winter to 100+ degrees in the winter & it has survived 2 winters now plus sprinklers in the summer! Switches are the weak point & should be avoided where possible. I do have one but never switch it. Personally I like the size better than G for a smaller yard. I know of one other such layout & it is north of Reno in a huge backyard. You could learn more about it by contacting Doug at Reno Rails. Reno Rails speciallizes in both O gauge and G so they are good for advice & comparisons.
Give O gauge a try & let us know how you make out!
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