Hello I am a begginer with the trains but I want to give as a christmas present to my dad a train. Next year he is going to change of house and I wanted to know if the trains can be outside in the garden. This is because he will have a very big area with trees and walking areas and I want to give him so he can do a small city in the trees.
But now my question is that if it´s possible to do a city on the outside and if the trains are also for the outside???
Yes, you can run your trains outside. There are many us garden railroaders. Bachmann large scale trains are very popular to run outdoors just don't use their track outdoors. Its a lot of work but also a lot of fun. You might consider getting him a membership in a local garden railway club and a subscription to Garden Railways magazine to get him started. There are also some good books on the subject readily available at Amazon.
some garden railway pics -
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/altterrain/7-8n2%20projects/rail-tractor/tractor-train2.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/altterrain/woodland%20ry%20640/WoodRy11.jpg)
(http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n214/altterrain/woodland%20ry%20640/dunkirkWRy.jpg)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff258/WVMGRS/drymalski/image10.jpg)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff258/WVMGRS/sevenlocks-earl/SLEsevenlocks.jpg)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff258/WVMGRS/gugel/gugel1.jpg)
Lots of homework to do!
-Brian
Brian thank you for your quick answer. About the tracks why do you say not to use it on outdoors and what kind of tracks should we use. About the membership I am from Mexico so I don't think there is a local garden club, but can I get a membership from a US city and which one do you recomend. Or what book do you recomend to start???
Another time thank you for your help....
Bachmann's track will disintegrate if you put it outside. you will want to use brass or stainless steel track, like from Aristo-craft, Accucraft and LGB.
You might try going to some large scale train forums like mylargescale.com ,or largescalecentral.com.
There you will find lots of information about running trains outdoors.
Bruce
You're in luck. Bachmann's 1:20 scale 2-8-0, the "Connie", is based on a Mexican Railroad locomotive - http://www.virginiacitymt.com/AlderGulch.asp (http://www.virginiacitymt.com/AlderGulch.asp).
(http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/products/images/uploads/81297.jpg)
As mentioned by Bruce, the Bachmann track will rust away. Brass or stainless steel track (what I use) made by AristoCraft, Piko, USA Trains, etc. are outdoor ready.
Garden Railways magazine ships around the world and their site has lots of free good info - http://www.trains.com/grw/default.aspx (http://www.trains.com/grw/default.aspx)
Some good books to get started -
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Garden-Railroading-Dreams/dp/0873492323/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227585583&sr=8-15 (http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Garden-Railroading-Dreams/dp/0873492323/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227585583&sr=8-15)
http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Railroading-Getting-Started-Hobby/dp/0890243697/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227585583&sr=8-2 (http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Railroading-Getting-Started-Hobby/dp/0890243697/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227585583&sr=8-2)
-Brian
Thank you very much for your help Bruce and Brian. If you ever need something from Mexico I will like if it's possible to help you.
El Sr. Acosta - he tomado la libertad de escribir a un conocido en México que puede poder dar el buen consejo con respecto a sus deseos. Su nombre es 'Privero', y tiene una colección grande del tipo de trenes de modelo que operan en el jardín.
Le he pedido que haga el contacto con usted sobre este sitio de Bachmann.
Con el respeto
Tac
www.ovgrs.org