Lego trains outside.

[willhappy]

hi all

Ok done the lego train around the room on the walls.

Now what about having it outside. The one thing i would like to know would the track stand up to UK weather. like rain and sun. Would the track and bricks survive. Would the colour of the bricks fade as well.

Looking to have the track in the garden all year round any advice

will

[dr_spock]

UV light from sunlight will deteriorate and weaken the ABS plastic over time. Color fading can also occur. As with any type of garden railway, there will be more maintenance like weeding, wild life chewing wires, re-application of UV protectants, etc.

[willhappy]

ah didn't think of that, is there a different track that can be used instead of lego's track

will

[Riley-NZL]

ah didn't think of that, is there a different track that can be used instead of lego's track

will

A metal track might stand up better, but would still have potential for rust. Will it be covered outside, or fully exposed?

[xboxtravis7992]

You could set up track; but I don't think you should leave actual model outside for that long. There is a G-Scale guy near my hometown whose layout has a shed were he can store his locomotives inside when not in use.

[willhappy]

just the track would be left out xbox, the trains would be kept indoors when not in use.

will

[dr_spock]

Some folks have used cheap LEGO clone tracks for the outdoors. Unfortunately those tracks don't seem as inexpensive and easy to find as before. You could hand lay your own metal tracks. That would be hardcore model railroading to get the track gauge for LEGO trains. You could MOC or MOD LEGO trains run on pre-made G-gauge tracks which seem a popular gauge for the garden. Garden Railway magazine and their website are a good source of outdoor model railroading information.

[Dan-147]

Alternatively, you could use standard G-gauge track and make your LEGO trains to G-gauge. Check out Tenderlok's extraordinary trains for inspiration.

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=118496#entry2412062

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=117021#entry2378309

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=116470#entry2367498

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=116100#entry2361222

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=115739#entry2354600

Dan-147

Edited March 3, 2016 by Dan-147

[zephyr1934]

If you don't care that it does not look like real train track this custom track might be handy:

[broomhandle]

I built a G scale layout outside with my dad, it has been out there for over 15 years. I highly recommend no lego's outside. the weather and sun will destroy tracks. even metal ones. Even LGB G scale track takes a beating.

:)

[willhappy]

wow so G scale could be the way to go.

Was thinking about making my own tracks, hard wood sleepers and then metal rails.

will

[broomhandle]

Look up G scale outside, or garden railways. Our layout was on 2 covers of garden railways magazine.

here is our photo and our layout on April 2003 cover:

if you can go for Tenderlok's ideas. They are sooooooooo cool.

Edited March 3, 2016 by broomhandle

[willhappy]

Still looking at the rails and was thinking that i could mount the plastic track on to wooden batons then in the winter just lift them up and store in the shed.

will.