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Author Topic: Outdoor operation  (Read 7720 times)

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Outdoor operation
« on: January 09, 2020, 02:44:41 am »
Is it possible or advisable to build an outdoor layout for my Lionel train set?
Does anyone have any experience or opinions about GarGraves track? I see that they offer some stainless steel track and that might be of use if it's acceptable to have an outdoor layout.
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  • Toy Train Infidel
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Re: Outdoor operation
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2020, 07:52:23 am »
UK Lionel
Hello & Wellcome to the Forum!

Lionel, Outdoors?  Absolutely.
O scale outdoors is quite common in Great  Britan.
I have acquaintences that run 32 mm GarGraves stainless track indoors & outdoors for their mechanical & electric O scale trains.  Gargraves uses UV resistant plastic for its' track ties making them stable outdoors.
There are other manufacturers, but regardless of brand, having UV resistant ties and solid rail are what is important.

Slowly I am remanufacturing  G scale track(48" diameter curves & straights) into 32 mm(2 rail) for my mechanical trains to be used outdoors.

Happy Rails!
dave

Tho not O scale, G Scale Central - gscalecentral.net  is a british forum/group that you can check out and meet folks near you who are playing with their trains, outdoors.


« Last Edit: January 13, 2020, 08:47:45 am by djacobsen »
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Re: Outdoor operation
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2020, 11:35:54 am »
Dave, thanks for the information. You mentioned other manufacturers of track besides GarGraves. Can you give me any other names? Also, do you happen to have any contact information for people in the UK who are running Lionel, indoors or outdoors? I'm getting very interested in running some of my equipment out in front of our B&B in North Yorkshire.
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Re: Outdoor operation
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2020, 08:43:15 am »
UK Lionel

 PECO track should be readily available in the UK.
Atlas Track is UV stable and can be used outdoors.

I suggest you check out this link:   
 https://familygardentrains.com/primer/o_gauge_outside/o_gauge_outside.htm

Hope this helps...

Happy Rails!
dave
« Last Edit: January 13, 2020, 08:48:40 am by djacobsen »
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Re: Outdoor operation
« Reply #4 on: January 14, 2020, 11:30:28 am »
Dave, thank you for that link. There's a wealth of very useful information at that site. I try to send pictures of my set up as it progresses. Currently, my part of North Yorkshire is living up to the reputation of rainy English weather so there won't be much construction activity in the front garden for a while.

Thanks again for your help.
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Re: Outdoor operation
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2021, 04:24:36 am »
Does anyone have any experience or advice about the feasability of using Lionel Fastrack track outdoors?
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Re: Outdoor operation
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2021, 05:44:21 am »
UK Lionel

Now l am not going to say this is the gospel, but unless you are using it in a climate controlled area l would be very hesitant to use fastrack outdoors.
Rust/corrosion would be a problem.
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