Running O gauge outdoors

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Is anyone running there o gauge trains outdoors if so anyone know where i can buy bulk stainless or nickle track. I was going to go g gauge but i have so many o gauge trains.

2

Bubba,

Probably a better question asked over on the Classic Toy Train forum. Hope that helps…

Tom

3

We had an O scale outdoor RR using stainless track. One of the biggest drawbacks to a smaller gauge (compared to G) is keeping the track clear of debris capable of derailing locos and rolling stock. G often tends to just run over the dirt where as O is more susceptible less-than-smooth surfaces.

Volumes have been written about Garden Railroading. I’d pick up a copy of Garden Railways magazine (part of the Trains.com family) and look at advertisers, how-to articles—past and present and try Googling for some track retailers and other sites, such as these:

Paul’s O Gauge Train Page

Introduction to O Gauge Outside

4

Atlas has both 2 and 3 rail track in nickle silver.

Tower Hobbies has 3 rail in bulk. I’m sure someone else does too.

Rotor

5

Hi Bubba,

There are several O gauge outdoor layouts around.

Here’s a youtube link for one of them: Morning Daylight

I was commissioned to build an outdoor o-gauge layout a few years ago. The result was the the Woodshire Railroad. On the Woodshire we used stainless Gargraves track with plastic ties. Other people have used the Atlas or the MTH ScaleTrax, both of which have nickle silver rail and UV inhibited plastic. All three types of track are readily available, but the Gargraves is usually a special order item that will come direct from Gargraves. Check out the videos and “building of” sections on the Woodshire website.

As Tom suggested, you’ll propably get more feedback if you repost this in the CTT forum or the Garden Railways forum. It’s mostly HO and N over here. Although, one of the projects for this summer on the Woodshire is to add a section of HO. Yes, outdoor HO!

6

Bubba, are you asking about 3 rail or 2 rail?

Atlas’ 2 rail track has UV stable plastic ties, and is suitable for outdoor use (so they say on the box)

David Vergun of N.Va. has an O gauge, 1/22 scale (narrow gauge) outside that runs nearly flawlessly (except when his dog gets on the R.O.W. [:)]) He can be found on the O Gauge RR forum in the 2 rail trains section.

As for 3 rail outsde, I have no experence with that side of O scale.

(I’m the resident crazy 2 rail O scaler)