I live in Dallas and have a limited back yard. Would like to do an “O” layout outside. Need advice on track and switches as well as best way to lay “O” track. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Dan F
[#welcome] Dan.
You may have spotted a similar topic futher down this forum which has a link to an O gauge outdoor layout.
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24220
As that topic mentions, one of the main differences between G scale track and other smaller gauges is that the plastic used in G scale sleepers (ties) is designed to cope with UV sunlight. Other plastics may not last so long outdoors depending on the area and conditions you live in (sorry I’m not familiar with USA).
You could hand lay your track on wooden sleepers, but that could be a big job depending on the size of your layout and the previous experience you have.
Otherwise, put a short test section of track outside now, and after it’s been out there a year through summer sun and winter rain, you will get an idea if it’s going to be any good or not.
I have some O gauge track that is hand made (by someone else) using code 215 rail on woodern sleepers that has been outside for a number of years in seaside conditions (salt air) and that is fine, so it can be done.
Glen Anthony.
I have been told that Atlas nickle silver track will work in the hot Texas sun. However, I know of noone who has done it. I have also been told that Gargraves switches will work…but again, noone in Texas has given me any input. Thanks for your reply.
Well it that case, see if you can buy a short section of track and put it outside now and see what happens over the next several months. When you do come to lay your railway, make sure you leave room in the rail joins for heat expansion.
Good luick.
Glen.
here is a link to a very impressive O gauge outside layout
http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=63160042&f=57660482&m=4451001561
tom
Hi Dan, sorry for the late reply, see The other post I replied to, been busy.
I think I replyed to you on the O guage forum, I’m not sure.
All I did was follow the instructions in Garden Railways book on building a garden railroad, and scale down a few things like the size of the crusher fines for roadbed material. Its almost a sand.
I use all Atlas Nickel silver flex- track, its the only one that is made to work outside.I tested it for a year, before the “Grand Experiment,” to make sure it would work.
As for the switches, I had to make a clamshell out of aluminum, and silicone sealer to make the mechanism weather proof. I also put power hook-ups at each end of the switch, as the small wires that carry the electricity thru the switch, are not up to the task of large loads of amperage that I use, say when running three trains at once.
I also clean them before every running session, with a scotch-brite pad, along with the rest of the track.
There are all sorts of little details to make this a success, but the reward is well worth it. We have the best fun with our “little” garden railroad!
I have twice the train in the same space, and all in scale for the most part.
Good luck, and if you have any questions, let me know. I’ll be more than glad to help.
Dan, I’ve started a garden railroad in ‘O’ Gauge three rail - and I live in the Dallas area! So far it is just two reversing loops, one siding and trestle using Gargraves. Sometime soon hopefully there will be some of us with O Gauge as members in the North Texas Garden Railway Consortium (http://www.ntgrc.org/). Reply to me off-forum and maybe we can get together to share ideas. (norman@mail.nospam.cox.smu.edu) - remove the junk block.
Thanks guys for all the pointers. It seems pretty attractive right now. I hear the concerns about sun and UV - I had planned though that any structures would inhabit the “indoor” section.
Thanks, Ryan