i am thinking of building a small outdoor layout. i don't have what would be considered as even a small small space for a G scale layout. I do have enough room for a reasonable O scale layout and as i already have a small set i think it would be easier for me to just add track and power connections. how would the all in one 3 rail track hold up outdoors. or am i better off just biting the bullet and getting a G scale starter set?
It CAN be done and don’t let anyone tell you different. Your challenge is finding rail suitable for outdoor use. Most of the 3-rail track out there will simply rot away in a few months. Most 3-rail track is “hollow core” tin and will not survive. I would suggest that your first task in this search is to go back through the postings in this section. This topic, or very similar, shows up every three to four months. I do believe the rails you are looking for are available, just going to require you to take a bit of research to find it. I might be mistaken, but I seem to think Atlas has a 3-rail that will work outside. Again, do some research, both here and on the net as well as your local hobby shop.
Tom Trigg
I think GarGraves makes 3-rail O scale track for outdoor use. Check their web site or with a local hobby shop. I know that people in California have put O scale outdoors with no major problems.
http://www.gargraves.com/
Peco of England makes O-scale track for outdoor use, but I don't know who in the U.S. besides HobbyLinc might sell it. A Peco catalog lists it as Code 143 with Flat Bottom Rail.
http://www.hobbylinc.com/Peco_O_Scale_Nickel_Silver_Model_Train_Track
I have pondered on the idea of an outdoor O gage layout as well.
Just for the grins of it, I think I'll start a weathering test on a partial piece of Lionel Fastrack I have left over from a cut & fit sort of project I did a while back.. Leave it out on my deck rail to back in the hot, cold, sun, rain, and snow.
I'll try to remember to post pictures every 4 to 6 weeks both here and on the CTT forum.
Whenever you hear the words "it cannot be done" take them as the lie that they are. The challenge is finding a way around the limitations to succeed. I have broken the rule book twice. Firstly, I have an inclined bridge that ranges from 14% to 17% grade, and it works very well for what the boss (my late wife) wanted. Secondly, One of the houses in my layout (home of Douglas Flatbottom, President and CEO of RbFSRy) has a working layout in the backyard (Z-Scale). The rails are made from sheet brass stock that was cut into thin strips, folded in 90 degree angle and soldered back to back, then hand laid on wooded ties. It took the better part of nine months to build a 30 inch by 14 inch oval, but worth every minute as I did what I wanted. Plus I was able to do what many had told me "it cannot be done". The ties are glued to a 16 inch by 32 inch patio paver.
videos of both are on the 001pudder you tube channel. (that is a play on the title 007 James Bond)
It can be done, and just as successfully as a G Gauge layout. I have both in my yard.
I use the Gargraves stainless steel track for my O Gauge loop, and it has now been down for about 5 years with no deterioration in the track. I used patio decking boards and pavers as a base for the track, and this has been quite stable.
Good luck with your project.
Cheers
Tommy,
I'm planning an outdoor O gauge layout to run my Mechanical/Wind Up & other O trains on.
I have a bunch of Gauge 1 ~ R-1 (48" dia. curves) .332 brass rail that I'm planning to hand lay onto wood cross ties for outdoor O Gauge track. Yes, commercial track is available, but I have the G track & it' won't be needed on the new G scale/garden train layout . Some of the curved rails will have to be straightened to make straights & I do have some pix of an early manual turnout that I'll try to reverse engineer.
Happy Rails! Dave
Railroad Crossings: Thinning the gene pool daily!
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