outside? YES!

[jettrainfan]

Say has anyone done something where they run their ho trains outside on the grass/yard? I did it a couple of weeks ago and today and it was fun! Anyone try this? I used bachmann E-Z track and it worked.

[Santa Fe buff]

Careful when it rains... Or snows, I'm not sure HO scale locomotives can take that.

Joshua

[James in FL]

There is a reason for the labels on the boxes which state "For Indoor Use".
These reasons will become apparent to you in short order.

An automobile will float on water...for a little while...

If you decide to use a product in such a manner, in which it was not designed for, don't expect good results.

[jettrainfan]

BUGGER!!! I forgot to explain! I am terribly sorry about that, the grass was alright. I put it on some boards just in case and i checked the weather and sky before doing this. Note: this is Cleveland area even though I live in Lakewood. Weather does change quickly but it was nice. NEVER try this in snow or rain! That will ruin everything and you will be.... . I understand the risk and only do it clear. Don't put it near the street. Do not leave it out! bring it in when done. Just luck and hope to do it again soon in June. Outside Ho is risky and i take many precautions. Hope you like

[Guilford Guy]

HO equipment isn't built like G scale. Also, most equipment, and track is NOT UV protected and will "rot" if left in sunlight for prolonged periods of time.

[OkieRick]

jettrain,

Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose.  Sometmes you don't get to play the game.  Keep that train indoors or I'll tell your mommy.

Happy Rails-
Rick

[bobwrgt]

Nice going. Trains are fun.
I set up a 40 ft x 15ft loop of track on the deck once and had a ball.
I use to have 95ft of g scale in the back yard also.
When i have too much time on my hands i think i will paint some HO track for UV protection and set it up.
Bob

[Atlantic Central]

As others have said, HO trains are not UV resistant and should not be in sunlight for long periods of time. Nor will they withstand cold or wet weather.

If your the kind of person who likes to "use things up" and then buy more - have at it!

But if you value the things you have spent your hard earned money on, keep your HO trains indoors.

Sheldon

[CNE Runner]

We all are familiar with G-scale garden railways. Some years ago, while reading a copy of Garden Railways magazine, I found an article of a fellow who built O-gauge track - on stilts and boards - and ran it outdoors (if memory serves me it was Lionel). I suppose if you were careful about moisture you would be OK. Guilford Guy is correct in saying our Z, N, HO, S, O gauge stuff is not UV resistant. I can't tell you how many airplanes I have ferried/flown wherein the interior was falling apart - because of the deleterious effect of sunlight on some plastics. I would wonder about our tracks and UV as well. This is a neat idea that could be done occasionally; but I would leave serious outdoor running to those products that are designed to endure a rather hostile environment.

Ray

[rustyrails]

Do we have any members from across the pond?  I recall reading an article years ago about folks in England who ran clock-work OO layouts in their gardens (I think that means back yard, not flower bed).  Don't remember what the story said they did in the winter. 

Rusty

[Joe Satnik]

Dear All,

Debris falling on the track derails small flanged wheels sooner than large flanged wheels. 

Outdoor operators prefer "trains on rails" to prototypical looking "wheels in the dirt".

You will need to take extra care before and during your operating session to keep your outdoor HO tracks debris free.

Hope this helps. 

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik   

[jettrainfan]

OK to answer most of the people: yes i love my trains and i spent my own money on them (except on gifts but you get my point) I put the track on a board on the grass so it gives it a look. (i tape trains.) I had no debris and never took my eyes off the engine. The small layout was left out for 20 minutes and their were no signs of breaking. NOTE: I would never run them in snow or rain! that would not be smart and their was no clouds at all so i thought go for it. I take precautions and never put my trains in harms way. It was 2 straight by 2 straight without sidings. It was made to be moved In a moments notice. It was fun and hope the people who try this will be careful. Enjoy!!!

[Cooped]

Rusty

I'm a member from 'across the pond' originally. Been in the good ole' US of A for 7 years now. I don't know of anyone who ran any clockwork OO trains in their gardens (yes, yard not flower bed!). I do have a friend who has recently built himself a (no idea the actual scale) large real steam ride on railway in his garden. He'd be threatening it for a number of years and now finally done it. The wierd thing is he managed it and still managed to stay married!

Dan

[Guilford Guy]

Across the puddle, 16mm is a common scale/gauge, where narrow gauge trains run on "O" gauge track. I do recall reading an article of 1:160(N) scale trains in a small planter, but I really don't see their reasoning, because a pebble could easily derail it, and the scenery is HUGE compared to the trains. Still, I imagine outdoor O scale is fun (There are an elite group who handlay and paint their O scale equipment with UV resistant paints. Also, I've been told Dullcote yellows in the sun...

[jettrainfan]

Across the puddle, 16mm is a common scale/gauge, where narrow gauge trains run on "O" gauge track. I do recall reading an article of 1:160(N) scale trains in a small planter, but I really don't see their reasoning, because a pebble could easily derail it, and the scenery is HUGE compared to the trains. Still, I imagine outdoor O scale is fun (There are an elite group who handlay and paint their O scale equipment with UV resistant paints. Also, I've been told Dullcote yellows in the sun...

Use your imagination! N scale would be nice in a planter but yeah it will take maybe a pebble to make a mess.