Does rain ruin garden model trains?

Question

or snow,sleet,etc i might make one and i want to know if it will ruin it.

Answer 1

No, but rust will effect smooth running which can be fixed with enery cloth

Answer 2

Depends a bit on what setup you're going for.

RAILS: Rain will cause rusting of rails and joints - so if you want an electric current driven outdoor model railway then you'll need to regularly clean the railhead to ensure good contact. If you're going for live steam then obviously that's not a problem.

TRAINS: Again, dependant on gauge. Larger gauge carriage and wagon models are often built from wood with metal wheels, so although these will withstand some weather, eventually the wood will start to rot and paint will peel. But the locomotives are metal and will need repainting more often if kept outdoors.

Smaller gauge models more often use plastic or painted brass / steel - but even then models start to look scruffy very quickly if kept outdoors for long.

But basically - rain (or snow, sleet etc.) won't actually ruin anything other than delicate exposed electronics, but you will find maintenance is much more important with an outdoor railway.

Answer 3

All I can suggest you do is be very careful as it might.