O scale outdoors?

[Anonymous]

HI all,

I have been in HO (indoors) for 15 years. I have a nice new indoor layout space, but it has occurred to me to go O scale indoors. Trouble is you get a lot less O scale than HO scale in a given space. So I then thought about having an "outdoor division" of my O scale railroad.

The indoor half gets scenicked in the traditional style, the outdoor half lets the trains stretch their legs.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

THanks in advance,

[Anonymous]

Some have certainly done it, and I'm sure some have done it successfully. But it's not something I would ever want to do. When I build a layout of operate trains outdoors, I'll continue to go with Large Scale since trains and other items in that scale (or scales) are intentionally designed for outdoor operation. Besides, Large Scale just looks better in a landscaped, outdoor environment, in my opinion.

[John Busby]

Hi uysr
Its been done before.
Most of the guys and girls on this particular forum are into one of the large scales.
However the principals are the same
Use the largest radius curved track you can,
make sure your track is UV stable and NOT tin plate style track.
You will have to pay more attention to your track laying standards being smaller and check more carefully before your running session for snails ect
on the line.
One other thing I would recomend is to use coarse scale wheels and track standards you will have less derailment problems out side.
this has been discused on the forum before but I could not find it to give you direct links to the relevent threads
you will have to build and paint all your outside structures the comercial kits
ect are not UV stable nor are the trains so they must be put indoors when finished with and put metal wheels on everything so it doesnt melt to the track while siting on a siding out side.
Keep the Key in your pocket your only allowed to wind it up in the stations[:D]
that is if you have any clockwork stuff maybe that should be left on the shelf[:D]
regards John

[spankybird]

Here is an old thread that you might enjoy reading

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=24331&REPLY_ID=237475#237475

[Anonymous]

Spankybird
where have you been hiding????have not sean you on here for a while. BEN

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys for all the pointers. It seems pretty attractive right now. I hear the concerns about sun and UV - I had planned though that any structures would inhabit the "indoor" section.

Thanks, Ryan

[John Busby]

Hi uysr
Atlas claim one of there systems of "O" track is UV stable dont know
which one though.
Oh and if you look in the right places and have won the lotto
live steam is avalable in "O" scale.
regards John

[spankybird]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BennysRR

Spankybird
where have you been hiding????have not sean you on here for a while. BEN

We have been hidding (kinda) on the CTT forum with all the 'O' gauge guys. [:D]

[Anonymous]

USYR,
if you have a existing ho layout,i would think about extending to the outside.Before you say everyone says it cant be done, i have done it. My table top layout is 4'x32' long. all my equipement is enclosed when the weather is bad. You can extend the track out of the building , and maintain the existing layout as it is. Why go thru the expense of a second gauge when you have all the right stuff on hand.
My layout is outdoors now for 21 months,and no damage to tracks, or rolling
stock. I am located in new york ,and our temperatures go from 0 to 80+. The extreme temps of your climate,may affect the tracks,unless you cover them when not in use. Something to think about.