Does anybody have an O gauge outdoor layout?

I would think  things you use for G scale would apply. Unlike G scale, O gauge turnouts are not water proof.    

Try this site.

http://familygardentrains.com/...ge_outside_index.htm

Bob Canfield used HDPE ladder roadbed and had some problems with the difference in thermal expansion of the HDPE vs. the Atlas track. When Bob was in So. Cal. about a year and a half ago, we talked at length about HDPE's suitability (or lack thereof) for areas with large extremes in temperature and I suggested some work-arounds (don't screw the track down, but let it "float" and use zip ties to keep it from wandering too far off center). By the way, I used HDPE ladder roadbed for a long viaduct at the club without problems, but the temperature at the club is pretty stable due to its proximity to the ocean.

Also, on YouTube, Ron Karlsson built an outdoor O gauge layout using PVC ladder roadbed. I've been in contact with him and his experience using PVC for the roadbed has worked out well (in place for more than two years). The up side of PVC is it's more dimensionally stable than HDPE regarding thermal expansion/contraction, it's less expensive than HDPE, and you can get the materials at Lowe's (HDPE can be hard to find in some areas). If I do an outdoor build, I'll be using the PVC because I'm a cheapskate. Here is Ron's how-to video:

Here's a link to Ron's videos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/sjbuff/videos

I kicked around the idea of an O gauge outdoor layout but didn't follow through with it. Glad because the crappy weather we have had in Pa. this summer would have made running it difficult at best. Haven't run my G gauge much either. It all needs cleaned off again with the leaves and twigs that come down off the trees. The ground still hasn't dried out either. Glad I have an enjoyable indoor layout.

I do have a combined gauge 1 - gauge 0 layout in the garden now for quit some years. My advice would be:

• Use nickel silver rail with sleepers made from UV resistant plastic (like Tenmille http://www.tenmille.com/index.html)
• Do not use any or many turnouts.
• Have the layout had a height of 2 or 3 feet to spare your back.
• Solder feeder wire to every track from a bus wire; you cannot rely on rail joiners for current transport on an outside track.
• Do not use wood, but plastic or galvanized metal for the substructure. 
• Since the outside world is much larger then any room in the house; use as large radius track as your garden (and family) allows.
• I use the following systems (depending on the train I run): MTH Z4000, Marklin Digital, LGB DC Jumbo transformer and Marklin analog AC transformer

See here one of my 3-rail Lionel trains running in the garden:

Regards

Fred

David Vergun had some outdoors O scale that was battery powered a few years ago.  Now that all my steamers will soon be converted to BPRC there's no reason I couldn't set up an outdoor loop if I wanted.  No electrical power to the track will solve those turnout problems if you don't mind doing it by hand.

Here is a link to the "G&O Story" post on this forum.  The G&O is an O and G gauge garden railroad located in San Leandro, CA (San Francisco Bay Area).  It has been operational for about five years.  This link should answer many of your questions.  O gauge works well outdoors.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/t.../the-gandamp-o-story

NH Joe

Not where we live, way too impractical.

There is one at Puget Sound, The Woodshire, that is O gauge outdoors, and very impressive.  At least to me.  Follow the link for some videos.  FWIW.

Don't have an outdoor layout, but I would love to have a garden layout at my next house, after I retire.  I would love to try O gauge live steam!

Jim

It is very impressive in size and operation. When "Woodshire Bill" visited us a couple of years ago, he mentioned it is a challenge keeping his track clean since it's on the ground. But the layout is a great piece of work with broad sweeping curves and the ability to run prototypically long trains. Track is stainless steel Gargraves. Dave Hikel did a lot of work on that layout. As I recall, he's running that one under DCS.

There's another one in the Santa Ynez valley in central California. That belongs to Ken Kelly. That operates on elevated platforms outdoors using Atlas track. As I recall, he runs this one under TMCC.

YEE HAH!!!

Aterry, I like your style and your trains. Maybe I'll just bust out the quick n dirty realtrax on the ground