Best Outdoor cold weather G scale??

[Joey07FJR]

I have been using LGB, but looks llike I better change.  My small LGB has reasonable durability, with the wire between the engine and the tender failing way to soon.  SO, which other G scale, under $400, works best in the cold??  Which have sound, metal wheels, others features I may be overlooking?? Can all x-6-x engines run on my 4'3" LGB diameter track??  All good thoughts appreciated.  Newbie to this site, been LGB'ng outside for 4 years.  Neat layout up in big tree in front yard at xmas time.

[g. gage]

Hi Joey, I live at 5200' in Sierra Nevada mountains. We get about 4' of snow and temps of -10 F in the winter. However I don't leave my locomotives outside when not running. I haven't had much trouble with my rolling stock or locos. LGB claims, or claimed all of it equipment works on 4' dia. track. We have several Bachmann Big Hauler (4-6-0) train sets and all came with 4' dia. track. On our railroad we have 2.5% max grades and use 8' dia. min and 10' dia. min on mainlines. I use USA (GP7 & F3), Aristo (UB25 & RDC) and LGB (2-6-6-2T, 2-6-2T & Porter) locos.

Hope this helps, Rob

[two tone]

Hi Joey,. I see you are in the UK as am I, My lococs are Bachmann 2-6-0   2-8-0. I have had no problems with connections between loco and tender, I try to run all year round as long as track is dry   Hope this helps

[altterrain]

I have seen just about all manufacturer's trains running through the snow. I have run mine in cold weather (30's) with out a problem. Your biggest problem is sticking with 4 foot diameter track. That will limit you quite a bit. Some options -

Bachmann 4-6-0 Annie version with minimal sound for under $200

Aristo Eggliner, Lil' Critter, Center Cab Switcher. No sound but run about $70, 70 and 140.

Aristo 0-4-0 some equipped with sound tender not sure of price. 

Aristo RS-3 and FA-1 with hook and loop couplers for around $200 speaker equipped. Get a QSI Aristo Quantum plug-n-play sound/DCC card for $140 from RLD Hobbies.

-Brian 

[zakowitz]

Hey Howdy,

     Please tell us more about the Christmas layout in the Tree.  How high up?  Do you have any pictures?

 

                                                          Regards,

                                                          Zak

[Joey07FJR]

 How do I attach an mpg here??   If anyone is interested in seeing mpg, email me  [e-mail]

 platform is 12 feet up, 4x16 feet, fibre optic tree and other stuff.  very neat, best I've seen, not to pat myself on the back...  I've had to add weights to cars (except loco) so wind does not blow cars off.  Fair amount of effort but worth it.

One train shop guy told me that Bachmann is not good for all weather outside cold.  So my new back-up is an Aristo C. 

Joey in Fairfax VA