1. Hoochrunners

    Hoochrunners TrainBoard Member

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    I'm planning in my head a simple backyard railroad. Here are some misc thoughts. I currently do N scale. I essentially know nothing about O or G. Comments are welcome.

    1. Track - I'd love to handlay in sections on maybe 1x6 or 1x8. The track will be elevated off the ground. Track will be outdoors only during the summer months. I'm hoping 6'-8' sections will make this easy.

    2. Power - I've heard of radio control and batteries used in G. Will this work for O? I could live with the components hidden in a boxcar (or two) behind the engine. What kind of runtime can be expected?

    3. What else am I missing? Has O ever been done outside?

    Thanks.
     
  2. Bill S.

    Bill S. TrainBoard Member

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    Hi hooch,

    You can do 0 gauge outdoors, although I know its much more prevalent to go with a G scale setup. I would say if you dont already have a lot of money invested in the 0 gauge, and if you dont have a problem with space so that you can set up a small G scale layout indoors for winter time running, then you should definately consider G scale. Costs for G scale right now are cheaper or equal to *most* O products, and are generally more detailed, particularly those at similar price points. As for your specific questions, Ill try to answer to the best of my limited knowledge. [​IMG]

    1. Not sure about handlaying 0 or G scale track, thats way beyong my level of expertise [​IMG]

    2. I believe the knockoff G looking sets at kmart and kaybee toys and perhaps some entry level sets use batteries and a remote, upper and mid quality items generally run off of track power.

    3. 0 has been done outside, I used to have a friend in Southern California who had a small track around a koi pond. It was probably only about 20 or 25 feet of track total however, and it was on a flattened concrete base specifically designed for the purpose [​IMG] , kinda different from what you imagine Im sure.

    I would say if go with the G if its going to be mostly ourdoors, and go with O if its going to be mostly indoors.

    Hope this helps?

    (PS, having just finished my Anatomy and Physiology courses, I like your sig)
     
  3. BoxcabE50

    BoxcabE50 HOn30 & N Scales Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    I would think it could be done with minimal difficulty. For batteries, how about some like the R/C folks use? They'd fit into a dummy diesel, freight car, etc. Should have a decent charge life.

    :D

    Boxcab E50
     
  4. Shannon

    Shannon TrainBoard Member

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    John,

    I had a long time friend of mine who had "O" outside in the sixties. I was all electric with feeds about every 4 feet and it ran on Gar Graves Staniless Steel track.

    The first layout I saw was at his old house and there was about 500 feet of track. When he moved in the late sixties his outdoor layout was twice the size of the orginal. Still all electrical powered.

    I can be done in "O" but it think today its better in "G".

    Shannon

    WP LIVES :D
    ATSF LIVES :D
     
  5. Greg Elems

    Greg Elems Staff Member

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    There is a gentleman out side of Reno that has 500' of track around his yard. Until it got buried under 4' of snow he ran it just about anytime he wanted. It is 3-Rail Atlas track and he is using the MTH DCS control system. It like DCC uses a constant voltage out put and the DCS chip controls the engine. Atlas sells UV resistant track and it seems to hold up well, judging by the layout. We get a lot of sun here normally. You didn't mention if you were going to do 2-rail or 3-rail. Either one will work, just like the real railroads you have to allow for expansion and contraction.

    Greg
     
  6. Hoochrunners

    Hoochrunners TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the input. Sorry to be late with this. I just moved, took forever to get DSL hooked up. I was under the impression G was alot more expensive than O. I really don't look at much else than N right now.
     
  7. faser

    faser TrainBoard Member

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    There was an article in this month's OGR about an outdoor O gauge layout.
     
  8. traingeekboy

    traingeekboy TrainBoard Member

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    I had some G scale Bachmann stuff a while back. They make awesome and cheap G scale items. There are also lots of kits in G scale when it comes to cars.

    Back to the Bachmann stuff, their porter engine is wonderful. Well worth the 60-70 bucks it costs.

    I do not do outdoor G scale, but from what I see, people do mostly sectional track on real ballast. There is a magazine or two dedicated to it, and I bet if you surf through the web you can find some how to sites for it.

    But if you want to do outdoor stuff why not go the full distance and do live steam? There is a company making Live steam for what looks like G scale track. [​IMG]
     

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