Anyone. We’re extending our O gauge system to loop around the garden and back into the house. What kind of three rail track is best for outdoor operation?
Gargraves offers track with stainless rail for outdoor use. The ties are wood and I don’t know how well they are treated. You may have to treat them yourself for the best protection from the elements.
Thanks, I’ll take a look at Gargraves. I have all Atlas inside the house, but want to connect a spur and loop outside. John
You can also use atlas NS rail outdoors. A number of people already do this.
Bill D
Yes, additionally, the plastic ties are UV resistant. I have always wondered how impervious the NS rail is to the elements compared to stainless.
Are there any others out there creating a Garden Railroad in O Gauge in the U.S? What problems have you encountered? I don’t plan to keep the rail stock outside, just run it outside. John L.
This question comes up often.
There was a recent thread with reference to a web site where some folks described, in great engineering detail, how they went about constructing their O-gage garden railroad. The site also had great pictures. Do a search for recent threads on this subject and you should find it - well worth the effort.
I haven’t done it myself, but this is getting to be more popular. Use either Atlas O, or Gargraves Stainless Steel track. As you already surmised, you don’t want your Locomotives and rolling stock left outside for extended periods, or in wet weather. Most of the better Large Scale locomotives and rolling stock have been engineered to resist the weather to a point.
O-Gauge will be a little more susceptible to debris on the track. Track stabilty is another potential concern, that I have never seen addressed for O-Gauge outdoors. In Large scale the track ballast actually performs it’s purpose of holding the track in place, and providing drainage. I beleive that the tie spacing is a little wide, to allow use of a coarser ballast. In O-Gauge outdoors, the narrower tie spacing may not allow for a large enough ballast stone to effectively hold the track, and not be displaced by rain. Just something to think about, I have not done this personally. It is being done though, so Hopefully someone with some actual experience can give you some guidence.
Doug
Thanks, Doug. We’ll be living in Missouri when we build the o-gauge extension outdoors. So, we’re also dealing with ice and snow. The track will be placed on a treated wood shelf with miniature plants, next to a deck. It won’t take much debris to derail an o gauge consist, therefore, we’ll be careful. We know about track maintenance from G gauge garden railroading. Are there any others out there with ideas about o gauge in the garden? John L.
Hi John,
I think that the treated wood shelf will work well for track stabilty, a suggestion, if the track and shelf are to be permanently installed, if possible avoid having track joints, and shelf joints any closer together than neccessary, it will help provide smoother track work.
I didn’t realise that you were experienced Garden Railroaders already, so you probably have a pretty good idea of what you are considering. 3 Rail O-Gauge is often criticized for its large flanges, but in this case they will be a definite advantage. My 3 Rail trains under my Christmas Tree just shrug off needles without batting an eye, that would have given my HO trains fits. I don’t think that O-Gauge trains will be bothered as much as you might expect by small debris, that being said though it is of course advisible to clear any known debris, for safety’s sake.
Doug