Using Lionel O-gauge traditional tubular track for an outdoor garden layout

Wouldn't that "Tin Plate" track rust in minutes?

Hot Water posted:

Wouldn't that "Tin Plate" track rust in minutes?

Why, yes it would!

If you plan to use battery power (or non-track power) I don't see why it wouldn't work. It WILL rust very quickly but should be structurally strong.

FWIW, I think Atlas can be used outdoors electrically.

There's a guy at york who was advertizing battery conversions. Depending on power demands and run time you can mount it in a tender or in a boxcar and tether it to a locomotive. I dont know the name of the outfit, but its in the Orange hall. 

Atlas O track is nickel silver and the ties are UV stable so it can be used outside and remain conductive. Gargraves makes stainless steel rail track which is also useable outside. 

Either of those would be a better choice than tubular, which will rust before the sun goes down on the day you lay it. 

You could try Gargraves stainless steel track for outdoors. Other types of track will rust or corrode.

Lee Fritz

I've thought about using O-gauge track outdoors be it would have to be on modules that can be taken indoors at night. Some long straight runs could be put on 2x4x12' boards (or whatever) and tack on a couple return loops at the ends.

There are stainless tracks available but the ties wouldn't necessarily be weather resistant over the long run. And any kind of outdoor railroad has maintenance challenges if you're using track power.

Atlas track, with it's brass rail and UV resistant ties, would be better suited for outdoors, especially in Toronto.  You might get away with tinplate in a dry, desert area.

George S posted:

Atlas track, with it's brass rail

The Atlas track that we used on our indoor layout is solid nickel silver rail. Must admit that I have never seen any Atlas track with brass rails, but that should work outside too.

and UV resistant ties, would be better suited for outdoors, especially in Toronto.  You might get away with tinplate in a dry, desert area.

The G&O garden railroad uses Atlas track for electrically powered trains.  It has been outdoors for over six years without problems.  

You could probably get away with Lionel tubular by using battery power.  It will rust very quickly.  Another potential problem is that you probably can't walk on it without it becoming deformed.  We walk on the G&O's Atlas track all the time.  

Here is a link to information about the G&O:

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

NH Joe

Thanks for your input. It looks like Atlas may be a better choice than Lionel Tubular. Does all the Atlas track have the UV resistant ties with nickel silver rails?

Tubular will rust, although as long as it doesn't rust right through, it will have a realistic rusted rail look. I can get tubular track cheep, although I don't want to install track that will not last. So I will look into Atlas & Gargraves.

Joe K,  The advise given to use the stainless version of track for your purposes is very wise and should be considered seriously.  The tubular track left outdoors will corrode in no time flat and the tops would become very uneven. 

You mentioned using switches as well.  I would advise not using those old Lionel switches outdoors.  They would have a shorter life expediency than the track.  They were not designed to have water penetrate them nor be left in very humid conditions even if warped in plastic.  They were designed for indoor use only. 

As an experiment, just leave some outside for a while out in one corner of your yard at ground level.  You'll see for yourself how quickly it will deteriorate. 

I was going to say, paint the track, but even if you did, it would only be a temporary solution, perhaps a couple of years before it became a real maintenance issue.  I'd go with stainless or the Atlas track someone mentioned, if your budget allows.

Dan Padova posted:

I was going to say, paint the track, but even if you did, it would only be a temporary solution, perhaps a couple of years before it became a real maintenance issue.  I'd go with stainless or the Atlas track someone mentioned, if your budget allows.

Painting is almost useless because every time a train passes over the track it will take some paint off(might be only minor but each pass adds up) because of friction between the wheels and the track. Also if you paint the track you lose electrical properties.

Lee Fritz

Joe K posted:

Thanks for your input. It looks like Atlas may be a better choice than Lionel Tubular. Does all the Atlas track have the UV resistant ties with nickel silver rails?

Tubular will rust, although as long as it doesn't rust right through, it will have a realistic rusted rail look. I can get tubular track cheep, although I don't want to install track that will not last. So I will look into Atlas & Gargraves.

All the Atlas track of recent years is UV compatible. By recent, I think the last 10 years, although I'm not certain. Boxes of new track have a UV compatible label. It was a yellow label, but now red.