Snow being kicked up by train.

[Bubba]

How about a smoke unit for a steam engine and smoke fluid .Smoke units are cheap on ebay .

[MadMarx]

A really big snow globe........

[underworld]

Maybe I am looking at this too seriously, but I have been thinking about it since first I saw the topic yesterday.  I might have some starting thoughts. 

Take some cotton balls or that stuff used on Halloween  to make spider webs.  Anyway, white and fluffy.  On each side of the track cut holes in the platform and install  small "computer-chip" fans.  (an inch or so in diameter.)  Some white LEDs as well.  "Stretch" and shred the cotton and attach it over and around the fans on both sides of the track.  Some glitter bits could help as well.

When a train is coming in to the station (or just going by) small sections of  outside rail activate fans just before the train gets there (on both sides of the train.)  The fans start progressively in the direction of train movement.  The LEDs flash.  

As the engine passes the fans stop and the snow settles down for another run.

 John Kerklo

www.Three-Rail.com 

 

Good thinking....I like it!

 

underworld

[pbjwilson]

John - Like the idea. Your idea eliminates powdery stuff gumming up the trains and going all over the layout.

[Richard A]

I find this a very interesting topic, but my sometimes too "practical" mind jumps immediately to clean up.  With the exception of smoke or some type of vapor, anything you use will eventually have to be cleaned up, unless your scene is forever winter. How would you clean up the scene?

Cool idea, though.

[cnw1995]

I love this - except when waiting at the station when I'm enveloped in it. You know who is going for somewhat the same effect, Paul: MTH, with their Coors Silver Bullet train. I think this could be done with steam or rather smoke vapor vented to come out of the bottom of the cars.

[jkerklo]

Maybe I am looking at this too seriously, but I have been thinking about it since first I saw the topic yesterday.  I might have some starting thoughts. 

Take some cotton balls or that stuff used on Halloween  to make spider webs.  Anyway, white and fluffy.  On each side of the track cut holes in the platform and install  small "computer-chip" fans.  (an inch or so in diameter.)  Some white LEDs as well.  "Stretch" and shred the cotton and attach it over and around the fans on both sides of the track.  Some glitter bits could help as well.

When a train is coming in to the station (or just going by) small sections of  outside rail activate fans just before the train gets there (on both sides of the train.)  The fans start progressively in the direction of train movement.  The LEDs flash.  

As the engine passes the fans stop and the snow settles down for another run.

 John Kerklo

www.Three-Rail.com 

 

[mersenne6]

 

   pbj, if you'd like another look at the real thing drop by the "other forum" and look at the last picture in the Wednesday Photo's thread under the real trains section.  In order to model that one you would also have to do something about simulating the drop in temperature as the train zoomed by.

[pbjwilson]

Heres my idea. On either side of the track you have a trough that is filled with a baking powder/glitter mixture. Along the trough is a set of LED lights that illumunate as the train passes.  Attached to the loco is a fine bottle brush type of curb feeler. When the train goes by the feelers kick up the baking soda/ glitter mix and the lights come on. Twinkle, twinkle little snowflakes.

What do you think? Do-able?

[perry1060]

Might accomplish this cheap with a spring loaded clothes line clip hidden along the tracks under some shrub and a pull pin attached to a string. Pull the string and out comes the pin, the clip snaps shut, and the flour-pile on the end of the clip goes into the air. Would make a mess but if it was just for a camera shot it may work.

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Been there, done that. 

Here's how you do it.  First buy a couple bags of ground up plastic snow.  Pile them high on the tracks.  Take the engine up to full speed and hit the big pile of snow on the tracks.  

The snow goes everywhere!  You will say wow that was cool!  Your friends and family will say wow that was cool!!!  You do it again!! Wow!!!

And then you will say, OH because your train has stopped and you are smelling something funny.  You carefully lift the engine from the tracks and say, OH again when you see that the ground plastic snow has jammed the gears and melted on the motor armature.  

Like I said, been there, done that.  

 

[darianj]

Don't know how it can be done, but it sounds pretty cool to me too

[pbjwilson]

The snow has been flying in the midwest for a couple days. Yesterday I was stopped at a crossing as a local commuter train whizzed by. The train kicked up the loose snow into a swirl around the wheels and on down the side of the train. I've always liked that look of a train with the snow wafting in the air.

So, do you think it could be replicated in Lionelville? At first I thought of smoke coming from the train along the trucks. Then I thought maybe a few sections of track could be rigged with something to stir up the snow. Maybe a light effect with glitter. Would be a great accessory on the Christmas layout.

Any ideas on how this could be done? Or has it been done and I dont know about it. I just think a few sections of track prior to pulling into a station, and the snow flying, would look pretty cool.