Outdoor 2R..flaws in my plan

You can RUN just about anything outdoors. It's a matter of LEAVING the stuff outdoors.

I would think anything you run you would want to take indoors when you were not running trains.

Yeah, no plans to leave locos or rolling stock ouydoor when not running.

MS

Although I have never done 0 scale outdoors, I know or knew a number of folks that have;  here are my thoughts:

1.  Track:  You need track that is UV proof if it has plastic ties.  When it was first introduced, Atlas said its was, but whether that's still true I don't know.  Peco says its track is, publishes specs, and has their own outdoor layout.  Wooden ties such as Gargraves requires treatment, and even then renewal after x years.

    Unless you are using battery power, choice of rail joiners is important;  the old Atlas/Roco NS ones seem to work best. [ + multiple feeds, of course ]

2.  You should give battery + radio a good look to eliminate track conductivity problems.  This will also reduce the need for weatherizing + safety concerns with 120 vac outdoors.

3.  I would avidly learn everything the "G scale" folks can tell you;  after all, they do more outdoor rring in a day than all 0 scalers in a year -- see if there's a local [ well, in the state ] garden rwy club.  I'd see if you could buy or borrow a big stack of older Garden Railways mags, too.

4.  Plastic might melt -- but rust is a bigger problem for metal.

5.  Is your property vandal proof ?  Even the original LG&B was heavily vandalized by neighborhood kiddies.   Do you have squirrels -- some of the more technically inclined ones seem to like wiring to chew on;  hence, conduit.

6.  Turnouts:  Group them into "interlockings" and cover them when not in use, even if they are hand thrown.

7.  Is your back in good shape ?  If not, do you have any teenagers for forced labor ?   "Drainage, drainage,...." -- just like the prototype.

8.  Think big.  But, unless you're a dedicated bachelor, get "Management" fully on board, and maybe even involved.

9.  Most importantly:  Have fun !  [ and show us your progress too ]

Best, SZ

Edited to correct typing erors

Thanks-

I can't ignore RC/battery power/dead rail. Seems like a no-brainer. Once I looked at the logistics, I may postpone the project until moving; I would like to move today, probably will be five years hence. Current topography is extreme, 12' elevation change over a 50' run. But I suppose I could get my feet wet here.

I don't care too much for sun or heat, so I guess I'll be planning for evening running.

Mike