What to Use for 1st 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

[dave9999]

Grandmaster,
Try posting your question here: http://www.trains.com/community/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=91
They have a lot of Garden Railway gurus over there. You will probably get more info on
that board. Good luck, Dave

[willpick]

I'd use the Realtrax over the Lionel tubular- one reason: RUST! The tinplated steel of lionel track WILL rust. The nickel silver alloy that realtrax uses will not rust, but it will oxidize--but the oxidation is easily removed-- The only objection to the Realtrax is that it is not UV resistant, so the plastic will eventually fail--- but as to how long that will take, especially if it is covered as you plan to do, is anybody's guess. Go for it!!!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Dave. This weekend We temporarily used MTH Real TraX which worked great. Alot of the scouts came over for running night trains - at least until Mosquitoes came in.
I sent my request to the site you suggested.

Thanks
Grandmaster II