Can HO trains be run outdoors like a garden railway?
Answer Hi! Jim. Thanks for your question. Yes it is possible, but unusual in the United States. In Britain it is done more often using British OO sale which runs on the same tracks as American HO. There is even a DVD available showing how to do it. http://www.strathwood.com/shop_item_view.aspx?itemid=2980 Another source I found is http://www.kevinboone.com/railway_garden.html The same infrastructure of a suitable foundation of wood, stone, concrete for larger scale model railroad would be necessary and then standard HO nickel silver track with plastic ties would be used (probably code 100 rather than a smaller size like code 83). The track should be securely pinned to a rot proof wooden base laid on the supporting structure that raises the railroad above ground level. This supporting structure could be concrete supports; brick walls; rot proof wooden timbers (4″x4″) or even plastic drain pipes sunk into the ground just like a deck support. Rather than use ballast the track could be pin
