O Gauge Garden Rail Roading Track: Lionel 0 Gauge vs MTH O31 vs Atlas Stainless

[Anonymous]

Good Afternoon,

We live in Minnesota - variety of weather conditions: Hot, Cold,Wet, Dry!

My son and I as a Boy Scout Merit Badge Project are expanding our present O-Gauge Lionel MTH Consist to a 'Covered" Outside Garden Railroad. We also have a variety of inherited Lionel and K-line Engines, Cars, Track 1960-2005

Ours will not be the traditional ground level garden railroad. We will using our old 10 x 5 table that has been marine varnished top/bottom/ adding boulders, bushes, .. around it to make it more realistic.
It will be about 25 inches high off the ground. two long runs, 3-4 Various Switching and Turnouts ...
It will be covered at night or when not in use with ground cloth.

Question(s):
1). We have alot of extra MTH Real Trax O-31, O-42, We would like to use this track to cut down on cost to build Can this be used outdoors with wd-40 or will it rust?
If it is prone to rust. How long before it may begin to rust heavily? Months, Year (s)?

2). We also have a lot of 1960's (Rusted , yet cleaned (bright boy) Lionel O-27 track and switches. Could this be used or combined with MTH Real Trax?

3). Everyone we have talked to suggests stainless steel O gauge (Atlas ...).
This railroad may be outside around 1-3 years. Would the MTH Real Trax or Lionel O-27 last that long?

4). We have older 0-27 Lionel (refurbished) Engines that we would like to run on this railway. Can our Rail King Engines or Premier Engines Run Outside during good driving conditions on O-27.

Any Suggestions regarding our O-gauge Outdoor Rail Road would be helpful.

Thank all for your time and consideration,
GrandmasterII