2 Rail O Scale instead of G Gauge?

[bushgun]

I know that typically the garden railroads are comprised of G Gauge trains, but I was curious if 2 rail O scale would work as well.  This would allow me to use big (for scale) diesel engines and a shorter turn radius compared to the G Scale.  Is there a vendor that makes a quality 2 rail track for outdoor use in the southeast US?   

[IRONROOSTER]

Outdoor O scale has been done and was/is popular in England.  Even HO has been done outside.  I don't know if anyone has tested O scale track with plastic ties outside; you might try a loop of Atlas and see how it does.

Enjoy

Paul

[ttrigg]

Bushgun: there are a number of guys who work in "On3" outside, so I'm sure you should be able to find what you need. There are several (make that many) Internet vendors dealing with outdoor grade materials. Internettrains.com sells code 148 Nickel Silver rail that they claim is UV compatible. Just do a google search for your track and you will soon be outside playing in the dirt.

[ttrigg]

To expand upon Paul's comments, many different scales have been and are being used outside. The main thing is to ensure they are UV resistant, otherwise they will rot in the sunlight. In my own case I have had Z scale outside. OK, make that a garden railroad inside my garden railroad. It did not last long, as the ties quickly rotted away. I am building a "back yard" for one of my houses on a sheet of plexiglas so that I will have a working "drop in" backyard railroad that can go out when needed and quickly be stored away.

[wrawroacx]

Do remember, that weather is sometimes an issue with any Model Train outside. That's why I would have any scale inside. I have 3 rail inside, in my basement. I do think that having a Model Train outside is very cool. It's in the real environment. But, still I would have it inside, just in case something happened to the trains. See there is one benefit in having Model Trains inside. You can work with them anytime of the year without really worrying about any problems. That's my opinion on this subject. But, having any Model Train outside is still a cool thought.

[KJS in Tassie]

I'm about to start building a 2 rail O Scale railroad on my property in the mountains of southern Tasmania (Australia).  The weather is highly changeable from scorching hot (although only for a few hours per day) in summer to frequent heavy rains in spring and fall to light snow in winter (not to mention threats to the track from marauding possums, wallabies, snakes, rabbits and echidnas !!).

We have intense UV with the sunlight here, so all plastics used outdoors must be super-tough.  I plan to trial both Atlas and Peco plastic tie track and switches for for external sections and I'll let you know how it works out.

[dougdagrump]

Atlas "O" in two or three rail are useable in the great outdoors, the only exception is the switch motors for the turnouts, they don't like wet. Although they could be most likely replaced with components from an RC acft/boat hobby shop or pneumatics.

[Jerry Barnes]

 

SVRR has O guage track for outside, ties are UV safe. Also have dual gauge. Many folks have put O gauge outside, just don't leave the engine/cars out in the weather, same with the transformer.

[altterrain]

Ditto on the Sunset Valley RR track in "O" 32mm track. There are quite a few 7/8 scale (1:13.7) modelers running outdoors on 32mm track for 18 inch gauge (7/8n18).

-Brian

[wjstix]

Keep in mind two rail O equipment may still need a pretty large radius curve. 3' radius curves would be a bare minimum, for large engines (and particularly for full size passenger cars) modellers normally would use 5'-6' min radius curves. All O three rail equipment - even scale size - will take O-72 (72" diameter) curves, even much of the scale sized stuff will take O-54. (I think Gargraves make three-rail O track designed to be used outside, but I'm not sure??)

[dougdagrump]

My greatest concern for taking "O" outside would not neccessarily be the track but the loco's themselves. Most of the engines, especially diesels, have their drive gears mounted externally on the motor trucks which require some lubrication. With this grease, even very lightly applied, will be like a magnet to any and all kinds of debris on or alongside the right-o-way. Consequently you best be prepred to do a lot of maintenance on the engines prior to and immediately after a run.

[bushgun]

 Thanks for all of the feedback.  You all have brought up some important issues/things to consider.  Any other opinions/considerations would still be appreciated.

 

Thanks!