Does any manufacturer make an O gauge track that can survive being used outdoors?
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Look at stainless steel Gargraves
Gargraves info: https://www.gargraves.com/sectional2.html
- Plastic ties are available in black or gray UV resistant color
- Black center rails are a black oxide process on cold rolled steel. It is not rust resistant and should not be used in damp conditions.
My takeaway is, be sure to get proper UV resistant ties for outdoor and 3 stainless rails not "Phantom" blackened center rail. Also, probably not wood ties.
Alternate- people using UV resistant plastic ties Nickel Silver rails:
My honest impression: Nothing lasts forever outdoors as the environment, the sun, humidity, corrosion, rot, UV, dirt and dust, all work together to slowly destroy anything. Add to that, you need to account for thermal expansion and contraction to prevent buckling and kinking on the hot days, and shrinkage will open up the joints in the winter. Electrically, keeping the rail surface clean and oxidation free, let alone your track power feeds, rail joiners, and so forth will be a challenge.
You are in Illinois according to your profile, so much colder extremes, but again, outdoor abuse is going to take it's toll on anything. Freeze and thaw will be a challenge.
The G&O Garden Railroad has used Atlas track and switches successfully for 10 years. I recommend it for outdoor use. Use the pre-curved track for curves instead of using flex track. Here is a link to the G&O Story on this forum: https://ogrforum.com/.../the-gandamp-o-story
NH Joe
I have to say, Henning's Trains has had an outdoor layout for many years, and it's using Atlas track. That would be my first choice.
Gargraves at one time had a stainless steel track. Only the two outside rails. Darkened center rail was not stainless.
I believe Gargraves still has stainless steel track...all three rails. IWC the center rail cannot be blackened since it has no iron content. It is an oxidation process on cold-rolled steel...ferritic...that creates the blackened appearance. That blackened finish is a form of oxidation...the same thing that causes the more troublesome red/orange/brown stuff commonly called "RUST". And, no...Blackening doesn't prevent further oxidation, or rusting.
Gargraves themselves specifically advise on their website that you NOT use their "Phantom" (blackened center rail) track in a damp (read: outdoors, especially) condition.
Their all-stainless (3 'bright' rails) track is available with UV-resistant plastic ties in gray or black...wholly acceptable for outdoor..."damp" environment...operation.
That one must forego the blackened center rail is one of those compromises one must 'suffer' for quality items American-made, always available, sold by friendly, helpful, conversant folks immediately available on the other end of a simple phone call...and always visible at York meets!
Three shiny steel rails on our layout? It's what we in the O3R end of the hobby 'cut our teeth' on. Some of us would accept 3 shiny stainless steel rails as a celebration of the genre.
Just sayin'...
KD
Atlas, solid rail, nickel/silver... while not outdoors, I have a 21' tunnel that runs through the eaves of my 117 year old house where it gets extremely hot and humid (black slate roof) and occasionally cold (New Orleans) I've never had an issue.
If I cover the track in the winter what could be used to protect it all winter?
