Hello, all. I used to have an HO scale railroad in my basement growing up (It's still there actually, but I'm not) so I am familiar with model railroading.
However, I'm about to purchase a house where the previous owner put up a garden railroad but has since passed, and his wife doesn't want the railroad. (Offered to remove at my request, but I won't be requesting. :-) )
I only have one chance before closing in January to do whatever must be done to winterize it. I read the beginners guide that said buildings can stay outside, but was hoping for more details such as if I should do anything to them such as covering them with plastic, etc. I'm up here in the North East, so it will snow.
Thanks!
WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD OF MODEL RAILROADING!!!!!!
Cool, good score, a house with a GRR!
It's hard to say exactly what needs to be done, if anything, to winterize the railroad. I would think the previouse owner (henceforth known as "PO") would have enough sense to make it weather resistant to the location where you live. If the buildings look like they have been left outside, then by all means leave them out. Or bring them in until spring. Really the choice is yours. Why not sweep the snow off the rails and run all winter? You ain't in HO anymore, pal, youse playing big leagues now!
Have you talked to the PO's wife and see if she knows anything? Maybe she knows more than she thinks. Was the PO part of a club or operating group? They would certainly know a lot of good info. What hobby store did he frequent, they might know something also.
Methinks you have a learning curve ahead. That's OK, G scale is tough as nails and you will learn quickly what and how your new railroad works. Ask questions, lots of them, if there is something you don't understand. How about posting some photos when you get a chance? Maybe somebody on the forum will recognize the railroad, or at least we can give you better detailed help.
The Dixie D Short Line "Lux Lucet In Tenebris Nihil Igitur Mors Est Ad Nos 2001"
Have fun with your trains
Age is only a state of mind, keep the mind active and enjoy life
Yeah, if I knew where you were it would help.
On mine (Pacific Northwest), I don't do anything except remove leaves and plow snow.
We run year-around, rain or shine.
TOC
As usual I agree with Jack on this.
I live in the tropics and winter is the best time to run trains outside as it isn't too hot. But as a few people have said Where do you live? This is an intrnational forum and the world is abig place.
Apart from that what Jackhas said is good advice.
Rgds ian
Lionel collector, stuck in an N scaler's modelling space.
Yeah, sorry about the location bit. I noticed the forum listed everyone's location under their name, and since I had to put in my location to register I thought that was automatic.
I'm in Massachusetts (in the colonies). :-) I didn't notice a plow, but I'll check more carefully. Everything's rigged up for electric, but I'm quite intrigued by these live steam trains. I need to learn more about those.
I'll take pictures when we go to the inspection this weekend and post them. I'm curious to know more about them.
Actually, thinking back, there were two cannisters of butane in the kitchen... Either they loved Creme Brulee, or maybe there's a live steamer awaiting me!
I will share with you things you will probably discover in various forums.
Some folks, when winter comes, just walk away from the rr until spring.
Personally, my experience with leaves and such laying on buildings, rail, ties, anything, is they stain as the rot.
And, sometimes, it's a bugger to get the stains off.
I keep mine cleared so A) I can run when I like, and B) I don't have to deal with rotting foliage and stained buildings in spring.
Keep all locos indoors out of the weather when not running (condensation, rain, snow-melt) and with Live Steam, freezing boilers and lines.
Keep rolling stock in if you can.
Hey, we're really getting somewhere here; a GRR enthusiast who also knows something about cooking, and has a big new (to him) house to feed us all in! What more can we want?
I had assumed that the Northeast in the original post meant something like Patriots country. I'd say that your winters will be a triffle more harsh than we get down here in the mid Atlantic States, therefore you may have a bit more problem with nasty things like frost heave, snow shovel strikes, and the like.
I'd suspect that structures and scenery are probably made to be stored in a garage, basement, or even under some sort of covering. The trackage stays right where it is. Since it is there for the duration, why not take a look at the Aristo Snow Plow car and think about running all winter. Some guys go so far as to stay up at night plowing snow to keep the railroad open. Others will plow til they can't plow any more because it is too deep or has frozen over becoming too hard to plow! Father Segram's Anti-Freeze is intended to go into you not on the track, so when the track ices over, just go have a toddy!
Come spring, you may find that frost heave has knocked things a bit out of whack, but usually that is just a matter of using the five finger construction crew to go around and relevel (don't forget cross the track too) and reballast; then you're good to go for another season!
You can also use some of those cold winter evenings to keep track of us on the forum and learn even more about the hobby!
I noticed someone said they were running trains in 40 Deg's, I would remind all that this is an international forum and people should be more specific. If i was running trains in 40 degs, i would do it from my swimming pool. Would that be 40 deg C or F?
Rgds Ian
whatever you do, don't brush the snow off, buy a plow and have some real fun.
Kim
Clearing snow (which I don't have to worry about here in VA Beach) would depend a great deal on equipment, crews and contracts. Purchasing a MOW plow is pricey, and management may not see the need in time/profit to invest when the Five Finger Crew works for cheap.
I see the pros and cons as this: You have risk management to worry about with ground crews using brooms and shovels, if a crewman falls and hurts his back, that is one crewman down from the team and medical expenses. However, the Five Finger Crew is already on the payroll and injury potential already exist in day to day operations. Enforce risk control measures, have the crew wear mittens and warm hats, as well as proper foot gear for the climate.
MOW equipment requires a large initial investment and maintenance expenses to keep the equiment running even during the summer months. A special trained crew is required, probably wanting more money and benefits as a result. You have potentials of equipmnet breakdown and labor contract disputes. It performes the job faster with less manpower, and as a bonus you can lease the equipment to other railroads or make money by clearing rails on contract.
In my estimation you should make the decision carefuly and certainly inform the stock holders of the railroad what the choices are.
Eric mate 4 deg C is too cold for me, when it gets down to 15 C I nearly die of cold.
Thanks Ian
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