I saw a thread of 6 years ago on a garden layout in a green house. I am interested in the same, or some way to protect the layout from the elements.
My O gauge train Bldg is full and I need to expand. I am thinking O gauge, maybe G Gauge.
Has anyone used a green house for a train layout?
Any other structures used to protect the layout from snow, ice, temperature, ETC.?
Maybe combine green house train storage and layout outside the green house?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Pat
To protect the track from the start you need to use stainless steel tracks. Far as I know only Gargraves makes stainless steel track in O gauge.
I don’t know what Fastrac is made with but it got dirty very quick on me with an indoor layout, so I would suggest not using Fastrac.
For G gauge you may try Bachmann or LGB for stainless steel track or weather proof track. But whatever you do bring in the trains when not in use.
Lee F.
The nickle-silver is good for oudoor use as well, it is my understanding that the Atlas plastic ties are impregnated with a UV inhibitor. Unfortunately they discontinued their stainless track. Try doing a google for Anozira RR, Arizona spelled backwards. He has a pretty big “O” layout in the great outdoors, and there is another one in Wa State but I can’t remember the link. I’ll see if I can locate it.
Found it: http://web.mac.com/hankb/wrr/Home.html
Turnouts, powered/RC, for “O” are also a problem outdoors.
If you decide on “G” be prepared for sticker shock when you start pricing track. [:O]
Lee - Thanks for the Information. Stainless steel sounds like the way to go. The idea of using a part of the green house for storage of the trains is to protect them.
DougDG - Good advice. I enjoyed the web sites. I expect sticker shock applies to the trains as well.
Pat
Not only sticker shock on some of the bigger steamers but you’ll need to have friends -n-family over when it is time to put 'em on or take’em off the track. Think it was the MTH Challenger or Big Boy in the neighborhood of 90# and I don’t think that included the tender.
How’d ya like to ship that back for a repair. [sigh]
And unless Bachmann has expanded their product line their “G” track is a nono for out of doors… That would be worse than using Fastrack outdoors for “O”.
Pat…I have learned a few things from my small loop G gauge. One, all the elements in the world attempt to destroy your track, such as squirrels, deer, dogs, birds, weeds, tree limbs, and people. Two, the Bachman track that I have owned cannot handle the elements. LGB and Aristocraft are the only track I would recomend for outdoors. If a piece of debris lands on the track, it lands right on a switch causing it not to operate. Birds aim at your locomotives as they circle the track.
BTW…Take a look at this web page: http://www.gardenrailwayproducts.com/index.html
see btcomm.com for lot’s of information on outdoor model railroading including 3 rail 0 gauge. Very good site.
90 # engine! Hernia for two.[:-^] G scale is a whole new world.
On the track, the consensus seem to be stainless steel is the best.
Pat
I checked out this web site. You are right, it is a very good site. Thanks.
Pat
Pat, Most of my little funky “dog bone” is predominantly LGB with a few Aristocraft thrown in when I coudn’t locate some additional LGB. It is all the nickle/silver track.
Chief even has a westcoast “Office” here. [:D]
Great pictures Doug. Thanks for posting.
I am guessing the post lights are low voltage, maybe solar powered. Chiefs “office” may need a large gun rack, the way he has been acquiring them lately.[:-^]
Pat
