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Reply to "O gauge layouts outdoors, anybody considering or doing it?"

Atlas O and Gargraves are the only common 3 rail track in the USA that will tollerate being outdoors.  The rails wont rust and the ties are UV stabilized plastic like is used in better G scale track.   In the UK they have Maldon track, which while still a solid T rail profile, it keeps more of the "Tinplate" look.  But once you pay to get it here, you spent more than the Atlas O track, which is over $200 more than the Gargraves for my simple loop.  Hence why my plan is for Gargraves.  You do have to watch soldering rail joiners as when the mid day sun is beating on the rail, it will expand quite a bit, and in the winter cold, it will shrink and something has to give.  The better option is LGB makes a conductive paste for rail joints.  I plan to coat every pin before its inserted into the next section.  This, combined with power feeders every so often should keep the voltage flowing and stable.  Most of my running is live steam, but I want to be able to run all 3 modes of power outside.  Electric/Clockwork/Live Steam(with rail wipe down prior to running electric again). 

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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