Mrs. mpcaboose asked me the other day if smaller trains could be used outdoors. My immediate answer was NO ... wind, debris, UV light, excessive heat ... there seem to be lots of reasons. It got me to thinking though (always a bad move). What about the new Bachmann On30 stuff? I wonder how that would fare in limited outdoor exposure? Not that I want to break into yet another railroading branch, but, well, ya never know ... Anyone hear of this product being used outside?
They use HO and N scale pretty regular in the UK for garden railroading, as well as O scale 2 rail, sounds like you blundered!!!!
Quite a few 00 model railways outdoors in the UK, they have a shed to run all stock back into when the session is over.
I'm not sure what scale LGB would be considered, but I've seen a lot of 'garden railways' in that scale. Even up north in the winter. In fact the fellow that's helping me build my helix in HO has asked me to help him build his garden RR this summer. Can't wait!
To set the record straight... LGB trains are made to 1/22.5 scale, representing meter gauge trains on No. 1 gauge (1/32 scale) track. The latest Bachmann locomotives (Shay, Climax, 4-4-0, 2-6-0) are 1/20.3 scale representing 3 foot gauge trains on No. 1 gauge track. The earlier Bachmann "Big Hauler" trains are 1/22.5 proportion but are not to scale as they represent 3 foot gauge prototypes as well. USA Trains are 1/29 proportion but are not to scale as they represent standard gauge trains.
I'm trying to imagine an N scale outdoor layout. In my neighbourhood you could probably install a "squirel" commuter service. I guess an SD90 and some flat cars would serve the squirel commuter service well.
I've been tempted to do something outdoors in HO. Just thinking about it I'm anticipating routing problems and interference problems with sprinklers, lawn mowers, weed whackers, dog, kids, ...... The dog can be trained, the sprinklers can be re-designed, but the kids? Especially the kids over 40? LOL What kind of problems would I encounter with dirty track and cleaning? I suspect that track cleaning problems might be worse, but then again if the sprinklers wash it all off? Any ideas out there? Mark
I think anything smaller than "G" at ground level would be disastrous! HO or N would be derailed by insects or leaves on the track and you never know what pet or wild animal would attack the train thinking it was either predator or prey. I have seen photographs of O scale trains and 1/29 trains running on continuous bridges a foot or more above the ground. This might even work with HO outside.
Nothing disastrous here on the 00 scale Dorking Garden Railway! Click on one of the DGR "Recommended Playlists": https://www.youtube.com/user/Dorkingian
Yep, can't be done in HO guage. One of the premier outdoor layouts here in this cab ride. Actually, most of the outdoor guys prefer DCC as it allows for running on wet track. I haven't had any roll over experiences due to wind either. Mind you I'm not out with my trains in 30 mph winds. UV - My Atlas track has been out in the colorado sun, Lots of UV up here, for around 6 years now I think. If you go to youtube and search for OO garden railway you'll find a lot of videos. There are many established practices on how to do it, but it's a wide open field and everyone is trying out new techniques for everything from Benchwork, usually marine play with bitumen and shingles for a ballasted look, to Switch Controls, automotic car door solenoids are really popular right now since they are cheap. We aren't supposed to promote other forums here, but search for oo garden railway forum and you'll hit one. Maybe the outdoor bug will hit USA modellers. I'd love to see it take off on train board so we could have our own section on it. The really long mainlines do favor US prototype trains, since we run such long coal trains and fast intermodals.
more on the subject here: http://www.trainboard.com/highball/...ailway-photos-and-some-questions.76594/page-4
Yes, Bluetooth battery powered HO. The BlueRail Train's HO locomotive boards are said to support battery operation. I am working on open-source Bluetooth and should have a battery (two 7.4V lipo batteries) power Bluetooth FTA HO locomotive running in the next month. Bob
