Hi All,
Time to put my money where my mouth is! I have decided to "bite the bullet" and build an outdoor layout using epoxy coated Bachmann track. Based on my preliminary experiments, I am confident that my odds of long term success are very good. Soooo, for the past two days, I have laid approximately 80 feet of this track on the lower section of our patio. (click on the link at the end of this post to see the first pictures of the layout)
I have a 4 year old grandson who just loves "Thomas the Train." This simple patio layout will be the perfect starter for him....it's out of the dirt and wide open, so that he can move around the center of the layout without having to worry about stepping on the track It will also be a great conversation piece when we have guests over for barbecue. As they sit on the lower patio benches sipping a glass of Monterey County Chardonnay, the little 4-6-0 Bachmann will be chugging quietly under their butts!
Even though the track is epoxy coated, I intend to wipe it down with WD-40 every 3 weeks. This is a precaution against the epoxy eventually wearing off of the top of the track. Wiping the 80 ft oval down with WD-40 takes less than 10 minutes.
For those of you just joining this thread, I would suggest that you go back and read all of the previous posts. You will then understand how I prepared the track for outdoor use, You should also be aware that I intend to run only RC / Battery powered equipment on this layout.
For those of you who are interested, I intend to post frequent updates on the long term outcome of this experiment.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/soda14a6v/album/576460762398896415
Regards, Junnie
Hey Junnie,
As part of your experiment, could you keep track of days that you get rain?
Just curious, Brian
Have fun with your trains
altterrain wrote: Hey Junnie,As part of your experiment, could you keep track of days that you get rain? Just curious, Brian
Hi Brian,
Based on historical weather data, it rains an average of 73 days per year in Monterey. However, more significant than the rain, is the coastal fog that rolls in an average of 156 days per year!
Since the rainy season is from November through April and the foggy period is from May through October, the Bachmann track could be exposed to moisture for 229 days each year! However, I live out in the country about 10 miles from the city at an elevation of 1200 ft. While we usually get the same amount of rain as Monterey, we only get about 1/2 as much fog.
Junnie
spikejones52002 wrote:Lets see some close-ups of the rails and a follow up of their condition.
Hi Spike,
Go back and read several posts prior to this one and you will see some photos of track that I have been testing for 3 weeks outdoors. We have had rain in the Monterey area for three days during this period.
You will see a control sample (untreated) and three additional samples that have been treated. The treatments are as follows: 1) Wipe down with WD-40 every two weeks, 2) Wipe down with 20W motor oil every two weeks. 3) Epoxy coated on the outside and inside of track.
My intention is to post updates on these samples every week, so, if you are interested, check back every Monday or Turesday. It is also my intention to report on the 80' of epoxy coated track that I just laid last week. This track was all treated as described in #3 Above. However, Just to be on the safe side, It is my intention to wipe down the 80' layout of epoxy coated track with WD-40 every two weeks.
Hi Junnie,
After studying the photos of your patio, I have just one question; will you adopt my wife and me so we can come live in your house there in Monterey? That's probably the only way we could afford the live there. It just doesn't get any better; playing with your trains while drinking the local wines in the middle of Steinbeck country.
Good luck on your experiment, it might just work out where you live.
Walt
Junnie,
You sound like a guy who likes to swim against the current, good for you. I'm a lot like that myself but most of the time I wind up spending more by trying to "experiment" than if I'd just bought the right product in the first place. But a least I usually learn something from the experience and I then know "for sure" that all that advice I was given was accurate.
If and when you decide to give up on the Bachmann track, I think you should consider aluminum track. It's not quite as sturdy as brass but usually cost quite a bit less. Since you will be running R/C and battery (good choice), conductivity will not be an issue.
Good luck.
grandpopswalt wrote: Hi Junnie, After studying the photos of your patio, I have just one question; will you adopt my wife and me so we can come live in your house there in Monterey? That's probably the only way we could afford the live there. It just doesn't get any better; playing with your trains while drinking the local wines in the middle of Steinbeck country. Good luck on your experiment, it might just work out where you live. Walt
Hi Walt,
I have to agree, the Monterey area is a great place to live...and the wines are superb, especially the whites...they are second to none. With the exception of Pinot Noir, the climate is a little to cool to produce the high sugars that you need to make world class reds.
Click on the link below to see the results of the Bachmann track experiment after three weeks.
We have had 3 days of rain and several days of heavy fog during this period. None of the treated samples are showing any signs of rust.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/soda14a6v/album/576460762399986045
Hi all,
Click on the following link to see the results of the Bachmann track experiment after 5 weeks.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/soda14a6v/album/576460762401715501
There has been no change in the treated samples.....none are showing signs of rust. We have had 3 days of rain and many days of heavy morning fog during this period.
I have been operating a 4-car train on the patio layout for the past two weeks with no problems. The track on this 90' layout is epoxy coated, both inside and out. I also wipe it down with a light coat of WD-40 every two weeks.
OK, I'll admit to being one who questioned the wisdom of the decision to try to treat Bachmann track for use outside, but I was impressed with the results as of your last post. How have things progressed in the last five or so weeks?
mhampton wrote: OK, I'll admit to being one who questioned the wisdom of the decision to try to treat Bachmann track for use outside, but I was impressed with the results as of your last post. How have things progressed in the last five or so weeks?
Hi Mike,
The test is comming along just great.....The reason I haven't posted any new pictures is because there has been no change at all. The track Looks just as it did when I posted the last photos. Even the control sample (untreated) hasen't changed. If you would like to see those photos, here is the link:
The weather has been very foggy during the past several weeks, leaving visable moisture on the tracks for 2-3 hours in the morning, yet the treated samples have been holding up well.
If, and when, I see any changes, I assure you I will post new photos.
My grandson and I are having a ball with our 80ft epoxy coated test layout. Even though the track on this layout is epoxy coated, I have been wiping it down with WD-40 every two weeks. This takes about 10 minutes and is good insurance.
Regards, Junnie.
If you would like to see the results of the Bachman track test at the end of 3 months, please click on the following link:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9283706@N06/sets/72157601003958939
I am very pleased with the results. As you can see, in spite of much rain and fog, there has been no corrosion at all on this epoxy coated track. As a precaution, I have been wiping down the track lightly with WD-40 every two weeks. This takes me about 10 minutes on my 80' layout.
Say Junnie,
Just took the TIME to read all posts here and wonder just one thing, the grand child, has he ever sat down on any of the track after being wiped with the WD-40, or maybe even stuck his hands in his mouth after touching the track ??? Guess worse things could be ingested though...anyway more power to ya, to strike out on the untried stride.
That is more or less what I too have done to some extent in the hobby.....Everyone is so stuck on NARROW GAUGE for so long. I guess because of the "G" scale Pioneer, LGB, that's all they did for YEARS.....
But as I have tried to share with everyone on this Forum recently, I was use to seeing the huge steamers---long freights, and than transition into the Diesel Streamliner Passenger era of the late 50's and 60's, in Akron, Ohio where I grew up. You know the one time 'Rubber Capital of The World', lots of rail traffic there as a child growing up.
I'm glad that Aristo, USA, MTH, and even LGB to some extent now, are all now producing an ample sampling of what I choose to model, and grew up seeing, 1950's thru the 1960's American prototypes.....
It's nice to get and hear new ideas and ways of doing things. Thanks, for sharing it all with us.
By the way, I for one like to just run the trains as soon as I can, so I would not have had the patience as you have had here, and I do like to run large engines and long passenger and freight trains too....
The short radius track you used, would not have sufficed for me, but I'm glad to hear and see that you persevered and wern't detered from your endeavor, and hope Grandma has a good washer for grandsons pants.
Here's a couple'a shots of what I run on my line.
Have a good one. Byron
Frank,
Where are the three track sections on the post? How is they?
William
Byron,
Now I know who you is ! Seen that avitor either on a web page or other forums.
Like your lay out.
William,
Maybe Florida Rocky, posted it on the LSOL forum in the past, he's been over to my place and took a few shots. The signal was obtained from him.
Byron
Hi William,
The other three tracks, 1) untreated control sample; 2) sample wiped down every two weeks with WD-40, and, 3) sample wiped down every two weeks with 20 wt motor oil are still being monitored. The control sample is rusted, but still usable, and, the other two samples look just as good as the epoxy coated track that I showed in the recent pictures. Next time I post the results of this test, I will include pictures of these samples as well.
Hey, how is that track???? I want some pictures!!!!!!
Ole Toad
Or do you need this?
ToadFrogWhiteLightn wrote: Junnie,Hey, how is that track???? I want some pictures!!!!!!Ole ToadOr do you need this?
Yo Toad Frog,
I think he might be mired down in this by now..... RUST.
He hasn't responded on this thread since back in July, 07 and not even anywhere to be found since than......
Hey Junnie you still around ???? Talk to us.....
Byron C.
Burn baby burn.................
Toad
ToadFrogWhiteLightn wrote: Burn baby burn.................Toad
Get'em while their HOT !
I gave up on the test a few months ago because the final results were very predictable.
Here they are:
1 - Bachmann track with no treatment = Will rust very quickly, however, after one year, they are still structurally in very good condition.
2 - Bachmann track wiped down every two weeks with either WD-40 or 20 wt motor oil = No rust. However, When treatment was stopped several months ago, the track began to rust within 6 weeks.
3 - Track sprayed with clear epoxy and wiped down with WD-40 every two weeks = No rust. I have now cut the wipe down frequency to once per month with no ill effects.
Conclusion: I am satisfied that you can definitely use Bachmann track outside if you use either treatment #2 or #3 I have been using treatment #3 on my layout for the past 12 months, and, as you can see from the pictures that I took this morning, it is in great condition. Click on the following link to see pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9283706@N06/
Junnie wrote: Hi All,I gave up on the test a few months ago because the final results were very predictable. Here they are: 1 - Bachmann track with no treatment = Will rust very quickly, however, after one year, they are still structurally in very good condition. 2 - Bachmann track wiped down every two weeks with either WD-40 or 20 wt motor oil = No rust. However, When treatment was stopped several months ago, the track began to rust within 6 weeks. 3 - Track sprayed with clear epoxy and wiped down with WD-40 every two weeks = No rust. I have now cut the wipe down frequency to once per month with no ill effects.Conclusion: I am satisfied that you can definitely use Bachmann track outside if you use either treatment #2 or #3 I have been using treatment #3 on my layout for the past 12 months, and, as you can see from the pictures that I took this morning, it is in great condition. Click on the following link to see pictures:http://www.flickr.com/photos/9283706@N06/Regards, Junnie
So Junnie,
Do you get down on those sore ol'e knees to wipe this all down by hand or what ??
Do you use rags and sponges or a pole and pad, and stand to do it??
I just open the train storage room access panels, set the Aristo rubbing block car in front of the engines, turn on the power, and the R/C hand held, and out of the train room I go.
The main need of the Aristo track car is because my line is on a raised platform and the Doofy Squirrels think it is a safe place to eat their accorns up HIGH away from the cats, and they get sand from their feet on the rail heads constantly.
Only real hassle is removing the few leaves and a few Ponderosa pine needles after a windy day at times, otherwise its just up and go, or if I desire to start early in the AM before the thick nights dew dries off the rail heads, I will use the blower on the track, that takes less than 15 minutes to do.
It's real enjoyable to just run'em and not have to hassle with track cleaning and all that mess constantly, Stainless steel track is the way to go.......go.....go.....and.....go..... just out the door....
Hi Byron,
Wow, your layout looks great!
As I said in my previous post, I now only wipe down my track once a month. Since I do it so infrequently, and since it only takes a few minutes, I haven't devised an easy method. I just pour a littel WD-40 in a paper cup and dip a rag in it...nothing fancy.
Stainless sounds like a great way to go. However, as I said in my initital post, which started this thread, I was given a great deal of Bachmann track free of charge. So being the "tight wad" that I am, I wanted to find a way to use it!
Guess you should not have any 1% grades cause the traction slippn.
You get the dirt up after rolling? Guess you can not Highball?? Being slippery and all.
How many times you clean your wheels on the engine and stock?
I don't have any grades to speak of on the layout, but, I do not see much engine drive wheel slippage when pulling five cars. I don't know why, but the occasional light coat of WD-40 does not seem to have any noticeable effect on traction.
Also, I can truthfully say that I have never cleaned the wheels on my engine or rolling stock during the entire 12 months that I have been operating my layout. I have always felt that WD-40 is a much better cleaner than it is a lubricant. In fact, I have used it for years to clean the pots, slide switches, tube sockets and RCA Jacks on my collection of vintage vacuum tube amplifiers.
I would suggest that you wipe down a section of your track with WD-40 and find out for yourself if it causes you any problems. After you apply the WD-40, let it set overnight before running your trains on it. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results.
Naw, no WD-40 on the track, it would make the traction tires go to mush and pop off.
ToadFrogWhiteLightn wrote: Naw, no WD-40 on the track, it would make the traction tires go to mush and pop off.Toad
Works good in some'a the smoke stacks though......lots'a smoke....
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