Atlas Track Outside ?

Atlas is nickel silver track with UV resistant plastic sleepers, so it is suitable for outside. I do not know about the sun in Australia, but I have nickel silver track with UV resistant sleepers (not Atlas) for 30 years in the garden.

Regards

Fred

The first production lot did not have the UV protection.  If you are considering used track you need to look inside the underside of the ties to see the marking.  If its not there, no UV protection.

Jan

So it will say "uv protected" ?        cTr.....( Choose the Right )

Try this topic  https://ogrforum.com/...rack-for-outdoor-use

Good sources of information include doing an internet search for O Scale Outdoor Railroad and do the same search on U-Tube.  There is a wealth of information out there.  Many considerations will be covered.

In Arizona one big consideration is expansion and contraction of the track given our wide variation in temperatures.

Good Luck and let us know your experience.

Atlas-O switch machines are not waterproof. The solenoid will rust until it won’t move.

Remember it is marked UV resistant, NOT UV Proof. There was a guy named David Vergun (I think) from Virginia that ran outside (I think battery power). He posted here using his name for a while, and then changed his sign in. Not sure if he still posts or not, but there might be some posts around under his name. Nice fellow and had some interesting posts.

Simon

Thanks, everyone for your help and input, unfortunately, my track is not marked UV resistant. I have been searching for a solution, and to get my trains up and running again, I think I'm having withdrawals from taking my layout down.     cTr....( Choose the Right )

I've been using Atlas silver nickel track with UV resistant ties/sleepers for over 5 years. The track has withstanded all elements of weather. For my auto switches I use the Z-Stuff DZ2500 switch machines.  They have been pretty good in the elements.

You can paint the ties to offer some sun protection.

Having shade over the track will help with overheating too.

In hot areas laying track an open ladder type frame helps air cooling of track, think frying egg on sidewalk otherwise.

The G&O Garden Railroad has used Atlas 3-rail track outdoors for 10 years.  It has held up very well in direct sunlight.  The G&O is in the San Francisco Bay Area so the climate is similar to many of Australia's coastal climates.  I have visited Australia 4 times.

The G&O does not use the Atlas switch machines.  The display's 25 switches are thrown by hand.  The Atlas switch machines are not UV resistant and they do rust in the rain.  

Here is link to the G&O Story on this forum:

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

NH Joe

@sjbuff posted:

I've been using Atlas silver nickel track with UV resistant ties/sleepers for over 5 years. The track has withstanded all elements of weather. For my auto switches I use the Z-Stuff DZ2500 switch machines.  They have been pretty good in the elements.

Hi Ron. Did you do anything special to the DZ-2500's to protect them from the elements?

I cover the switch machine and switch with a piece of plexi glass to protect from the rain. Seems to work well.