I'm sure everyones heard and seen on the news etc. about how we've been socked with snow in the northeast this winter. Well, because of it, I've decided to model snow on my layout. I'm lucky I haven't put down any ground cover yet, so I plan on using Woodland Scenics FLEX-PASTE for it. (I know it'll take a lot on a 4' x 4' layout; but I'm prepared for that). Anyway, how can I make snow covered ballast? Just use white ballast?
Only blew 27" out of my driveway Wed, more today. Son going downstate tomorrow to take 36" off the roof of our camp.
Don't know what Flex-Paste would look like for snow. WS makes snow in a shaker bottle. I would think just sprinkling it on top of your ballast to the desired depth would give your desired effect. Since it's fresh snow it wouldn't have to be too dirty. To make the piles plows pushed up, I might try to cut up some pink/blue foam into the shape I wanted, sprinkle on some snow and spots of dirt that the plow dug up. I have seen some pretty snowy layouts, hopefully someone that has done one will come on and give you some more tips.
Good luck,
Ah man that's an awesome idea!!. I saw a really nice N scale layout with an awesome snow scene last weekend at the WGH Denver show.
I'm wondering if I could do this with the snow cover, but just on my mountain tunnel, and have the rest of the layout with no snow. Would that look awkeword?
Also, can you just vacuum up the snow after you don't want it anymore?
Pic from the show:
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Rather than having snow covering everything I like to model remnant patches of it, so I ballast first. Sometimes I glue the snow down, but very often I just sprinkle it on [Woodland Scenics snow]
If you're going to have snow over everything I guess you won't see any ballast anyway, but ballast is much cheaper than snow.
Snow in first pic is a mix of WS and Heki Glitter snow.
I like being able to change things around, and much of my snow is just temporary. I sweep it up or vacuum it away when I feel like it.
It's easy to stain it with weak acrylics or watercolours if you want it dirty.
Mike
Modelling the UK in 00, and New England - MEC, B&M, D&H and Guilford - in H0
That is an awesome piece of modeling you hit the snow thing right on the head. We've gotten more then our fair share of the white junk here in NJ and while out getting gas and sheer bolts for the snow blower Friday I crossed over a set of rarely used tracks near my house and being as no one was on the road at that hour I stopped and took a brief look and thought to myself now that would look cool on a layout This line obviously had zero traffic on it so everything was covered there was no viable sign of ballast to be seen, but if you plan on running trains on the line then lean more towards what Mike did and don't forget to hit the trees and ground cover with ample amount of snow if your going for the snow covered heavy look. It's always fun to see how much more anf how much farther you can see in to the woods when there is snow on the ground. Quick! before it all melts take soem pics of a near by rail line if you have one close by for reference later on.
Mike, I second Allegheny's awesome! I did a double or triple take when first looking at your photos, and not just because of the snow patches. The rusted rail, weeds, backdrop, and lighting are incredible. Love the diamond shot. Good eye for detail!
Nelson
Ex-Southern 385 Being Hoisted
Wow - that's some pretty intense modeling Mike! Nice job. The snow looks very real - as does everything else..
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Mike,
I have never before seen a winter scene modeled so realistically!
This deserves .
Modeling winter is so dang difficult - most people just make a normal "summer" scenery and pour flour, plaster, or whatever over it.
Thanks for sharing your pics - am I too greed to ask your for more to come?
I have seen the best but they only model a single scene usually, you have come close to this realism on at least a section of a layout, amazing!
Thankyou for the kind words.
I really don't want to hijack this thread but here's a few more with snow patches. Hope that's ok.
The snow in these shots was glued down with PVA. It takes patience because the snow is very easily disturbed.
This layout was dismantled yesterday, along with the UK layout that shared the same table
I'm going to build another New England winter layout.
Show us all the photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!