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How to create temporary snow on a non-originally-winter layout?

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  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Sunday, September 6, 2020 5:50 PM

I think I’ll give it another shot after it cools off here.  I’ll try an older section so if I can’t get it all up it could stand new flocking anyway.

Yours shure looks good!

Mel


 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by selector on Sunday, September 6, 2020 5:27 PM

Thanks, Mel.  When I look back on that first scene, I even got the lighting right...strong shadows, lengthened by the low altitude of the winter sun. I don't remember attending to that important element, but....there she be.

If I had a Shop Vac, it would have been out in the garage by the time I attempted this temporary setting.  So, the vacuum would have been a Kenmore canister type, perhaps using the crevice tool for good measure.

When I apply various types of scenery materials, I glue them pretty securely with wood glue.  I would have had a fair bit of that material in the dust bin after vacuuming none-the-less.  If I felt the need, I simply would have dusted the scene with more of two or three types of ground foam, flocking, the odd bush that got sucked away, glued it tight, and moved on to other experiments and maintenance.

Turns out I did the snow twice, first in 2008 and later in 2011, with the Q2 in the latter case, different places on the layout.  Both came up so well that I couldn't object to either the idea or its eventual results.

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Posted by Billwiz on Saturday, September 5, 2020 8:31 PM

One of the scenic product companies makes a shaker bottle of snow. Its little balls that can be vacuumed up. I’ve used them for Christmas layouts before. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Saturday, September 5, 2020 6:49 PM

selector

I used the shaker bottle of W/S 'snow' for this scene.  I dusted the scene, left it that way for a few weeks, and then vacuumed it all up.  It came up quite cleanly:

Also this one:

 

This topic has me really worked up, that snow looks better than GREAT Selector!!  I want to try it.

I tried a small spot on my layout about 20 years ago and had a devil of a time getting it up.  I was using a Sears ShopVAC.  What vacuum do you use?  What do you do about trees and bushes?


Mel


 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 

  • Member since
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Posted by Overmod on Saturday, September 5, 2020 6:23 PM

Lastspikemike
As a Canadian (sort of) I just assumed everyone would understand immediately how absurd my garden railway idea would be up here

We know.  That's why we used our own sense of humor to play along.  Especially since in the context you proposed it, the railway would be in HO scale, where after even an early snowfall you would be modeling the return of the glaciers and have to feature characters from Ice Age.

You need to give others the same respect for humor that you demand for yourself.  You might have fun that way.

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Posted by Overmod on Saturday, September 5, 2020 2:21 PM

Lastspikemike
I'm not sure how the electrics might work at minus 30 C though.

They should work just fine, possibly better than at 'room temperature' although we could always check the designs in SPICE or a comparable design environment...

All the lube and materials testing was done back in the bad old days of BMEWS and some of that stuff, particularly gear lube, motor bearing lube (largely graphite and silicone-based oils) and plastic strength are known.  Might look at spacex stuff too.  Might need some strategic tracers and heat plates to keep equipment warm while running!

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Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, September 5, 2020 2:21 PM

selector
I used the shaker bottle of W/S 'snow' for this scene.  I dusted the scene, left it that way for a few weeks, and then vacuumed it all up.

Those are beautiful pictures.

That is a job very well done. Thank you for sharing.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

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Posted by Overmod on Friday, September 4, 2020 5:55 PM

Lastspikemike
Set it up as a garden railway just before Xmas 

That was cruel.  I love it!

  • Member since
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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by selector on Friday, September 4, 2020 3:48 PM

I used the shaker bottle of W/S 'snow' for this scene.  I dusted the scene, left it that way for a few weeks, and then vacuumed it all up.  It came up quite cleanly:

Also this one:

  • Member since
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  • From: Culpeper, Va
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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Friday, September 4, 2020 1:24 PM

I would suggest snow batting that has a little glitter in it.  You can cut it to fit. 

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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Posted by Overmod on Friday, September 4, 2020 9:57 AM

The only method I used that worked was to make up little mats and sections to overlay scenery and structures and carefully apply them.  In theory you can make up different sets for different 'snowfalls', have drop ins to simulate unplowed, partially-plowed track, the effect of switch heaters etc.  

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Posted by joe323 on Friday, September 4, 2020 9:32 AM

Personally I would prefer a palm tree for Christmas instead of snow but if you must. The cotton sounds good.

Joe Staten Island West 

  • Member since
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  • From: Bakersfield, CA 93308
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Posted by RR_Mel on Friday, September 4, 2020 9:23 AM

Welcome

Your first few post are moderated so there is a delay before they show up.

Good Luck, I’ve wanted to do that for years.  Forget the Woodland Scenics Snow Flocking, it will haunt your layout forever.  You can’t get rid of the tiny white flakes.  If someone wants a nice permanent snow the WS snow works great.    


Mel



 
My Model Railroad   
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
 
Bakersfield, California
 
I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • 869 posts
Posted by davidmurray on Friday, September 4, 2020 9:11 AM

I do not know how to do what you want to do.

My first thought was a powder that could be cleaned off later.  The problem would be getting to to stay and still be removable.

Perhaps cotton batting?

 

David Murray from Oshawa, Ontario Canada
  • Member since
    September 2020
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How to create temporary snow on a non-originally-winter layout?
Posted by TrainsButSmall on Thursday, September 3, 2020 9:30 PM

So I'm planning a layout on a 4x8 piece of plywood (I have planned it out with SCARM). However, I want to change it during the christmas season. Does anyone here know how to create a dusting of snow like you would see in the stereotypical TV winter special?

My layout is going to be a short line based in Southern California, if that helps. I don't need the snow to be prototypically accurate (since I live here, I can confirm we don't have snow). I just need it to cover the layout and give it a christmas feel.

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