Howdy Sean, I always run my locos into my under the house storage. I do leave cars out over night if I’m going to run the next day or so, keeping an eye on the weather. On the same subject, I left an USA Trains, WP, PS1 box car out most of the summer with a door open. When I closed the door I noticed significant UV fading. I should add we live in the number two rated US area, second to Arizona, for solar power.
Have fun, Rob
Not sure what the weather is like in your area, but our summers are relatively dry. So this helps, but we do get summer monsoon rains in late July through August. These rains, which can get pretty heavy at times, could easily destroy the sensitive electronics in our locos.
We don't have any train shed for protection, but we do cover two locomotives that stay out on the layout during the summer (unless they need battery charging). We also cover several structures/buildings to minimize rain/dirt splashing.
We cover the buildings with plastic storage bins, like this:
The bins work really well at keeping dirt off the buildings as well as protecting decals from heavy rain or hail. And they're easy to take on and off. Just flip the bin upside down (not using the lid) and cover the building. We use various sizes of bins for the various structures.
To protect our main locos (2 LGB moguls), we run them onto our twin 6 foot bridges. A four car passenger train also fits. We wrap the bridge under a heavy grade plastic tarp and make sure it's tight by wrapping four bungee chords around it. Easy to take on and off, and keeps the locos and passenger cars dry and safe from any inclement weather. Here's a photo showing the tarp ready to be tightened up with the bungee chords:
We also can use a Pola roundhouse to protect up to three locos or other pieces of rolling stock. But even with tape under the roof seams, rain water can seep in from the ground. So we don't keep many locos in there anymore.
Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, COClick Here for my model train photo website
Hi Dont you risk some body taking them over night? I would not take that risk even with insurance. Think of how you would feel if they went. Insurance claims take a long time to pay out then the time of replacing them.
Age is only a state of mind, keep the mind active and enjoy life
Sure theft is a risk anywhere. But I'm not sure if there's much value on the secondary (pawn shop) market for our train stuff.
We are out in the wilderness bordered on all but one side by national forest. We are essentially at the end of an isolated dirt road, and then we have a very long access road off of that. So if anyone is coming our way we'll know about it well before they get to the layout. Our only neighbor is a big train guy too and he watches out for things out of the ordinary if we don't happen to be there and vice versa..
I'm more worried about deer/elk and other wildlife. Actually we have had some thefts in the past. A few small items have disapeared thanks to pesky wood rats (pack rats). They're cute little critters, but can be a nuisance. Thanks to our neighbors mouser cat, their population is way down.
I bring mine in when I'm done "playing" with them. It's not a bother at all to me and I rather enjoy the whole process of "putting them to bed". I have left them out at night before, but the dew on them in the morning is a bit of a nuisence. I once left my train running all weekend from Friday afternoon until Monday evening by accident and it had no issues at all ( well except for the engineer filing a grievence with the union and the ensuing strike, legal actions, protests in the middle east etc).
I would think that theft issues aside, cover them with something that will breath and keep the dew and rain off during the night and you should be just fine.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
tangerine-jack I once left my train running all weekend from Friday afternoon until Monday evening by accident and it had no issues at all (well except for the engineer filing a grievance with the union and the ensuing strike, legal actions, protests in the middle east etc).
I bet that was some overtime check!
I put mine to "bed" on a set of shelves in the shed. Two reasons: 1) to prevent UV fading, 2) protect the equipment for the dogs. The dogs use the rails as their private freeways and small parts snag their long fur and disappear easily. I do have some New Bright stuff that I leave out 24x7x365, these cars are part of small dioramas.
Tom Trigg
PERSONALLY, JUST BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEONE RUNNING OFF WITH ANYTHING LEFT OUTSIDE, I WOULDN'T EVEN LEAVE MY CARS OR ENGINES OUT, EVEN IF I WAS GOING TO LEAVE THE HOUSE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. PEOPLE WERE LOOSING THEIR SNOWBLOWERS THIS WINTER BECAUSE THE HOMEOWNERS LEFT THEIR GARAGE DOORS OPEN AFTER SNOWBLOWING......AND THEY WERE STILL IN THE HOUSE!!!!!
JOHN
On the lightfingers angle, Paws and Jaws Mobile Alarm System works well. Just knowing that they are on the property causes folk walking along the road to cross to the other side! The fact that they are in Invisible Fence makes it even more effective; they are a 24/7 system. Of course having the dog doors so that they have free run of the place also helps. Can you run 200 feet carrying stuff faster than the dogs can catch you??
Properly posted signage also works well.
Capt Bob Johnson On the lightfingers angle, Paws and Jaws Mobile Alarm System works well. Just knowing that they are on the property causes folk walking along the road to cross to the other side! The fact that they are in Invisible Fence makes it even more effective; they are a 24/7 system. Of course having the dog doors so that they have free run of the place also helps. Can you run 200 feet carrying stuff faster than the dogs can catch you??
To answer your question, yes, I could out run your dog, but would that be before or after you unstick his fat butt from the doggy door?
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