Hello, it’s been a while since I posted any questions or garden railway related stuff but the question I have is what would be the best brand of G Scale brass track to use for my outdoor layout meaning quality and availability wise. Should I go with bachmann or original lehmann brand track? Also what type of wood should I be using for the platform which my track will be elevated on? It will be 23 inches above the ground. Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also I was looking at various videos of the whippany nj railway museum outdoor layout which is similar to what I want to build. Thanks!
Hi Anthony,
as far as track, LGB track has a great track record for quality and durability. They are also probably the highest priced. There are other quality brands available, you would have to decide how much you are willing to spend. But for quality, I’d say LGB.
For building materials: my rule of thumb:
if it’s in the garden section of the home improvement store( for use outdoors) it should be o.k. to use for outdoor construction. Some use treated lumber, or even fence posts and fence materials.
Paul
Anthony,
The Bachmann “stamped track” that is hollow inside will not last a summer. I understand they have solid brass track, but I cannot attest to its quality, as I have never seen or used it.
We use LGB and a smattering of PIKO. They are 100% cross-compatible. They have resisted our tropical conditions near the ocean for years. They also have about the same price, new or used. Note that used prices run about $1 / foot. I belong to our closest club, which happens to be in Portland, OR, and they have a “track locker” with material from “fallen flags,” donations, and lucky finds. The prices are more than reasonable. You may find a club in your area with a similar program.
As for wood…here it only feeds termites [:D]! We made a raised garden bed and let the tracks “float” on gravel.
Aloha,
Eric
The Bachmann brass track is the former Aristo-Craft/REA track. I prefer it to the LGB track because they use screws through the rail joiners that thread into the web of the rail providing both a physical and electrical connection between sections. However, the last time that I checked they don’t have the variety/selection of turnouts and specialty track sections that LGB has.
Greg