Winter scenes

[randybc2003]

Check the MR index of articles. (Snow). I know that December '01 had an article using Woodland Scenics (I Think) snow to "winterize" the Redwing project layout. Sometime in the late '80's there was an article on a "Christmas Tree" layout that looked pretty good. The issue cover had a picture of a maintainance stop modeled.
I understand John Allen used only a dusting of pure Hydrocal on the old G&D
I did a test diorama using R. Hood's techniques, and I think it came out pretty good. The secret is the ACRYLIC materials. His articles are reprinted in the current Kalmbach book "Scenery Ttricks & Tips" - or something like that. He used Snow Chrystals from Vintage Reproductions. See ad's in MR, etc. They are located in Colorado & my LHS got some for me. I have also used with success for middle to far distance just pure Hydrocal shell, dusted by Hydrocal (applied with a Tea strainer) and oversprayed with a shot of Krylon (silver) Glitter spray. If you are going to stain or paint rocks, be sure to SEAL the plaster or paint to keep seepage into the "snow" to a minimum.
Keep Cold! [:)]
randy

[Rene Luethi]

The top of my mountain- route is in deep winter. I planned this winter scene right from the beginning. It is somewhat delicate to get a realistic landscape, buried in deep snow. The fields are flat like stretched linen, only big outcroppings are visible. Around trees and buildings are „snow-dunes“ which were formed from the blowing wind during the snowfall. Telephone poles and fences are covered with snow on the side from where the wind blows. There are more such details.
To make fields and slopes I put a thin layer of Scuptamold over the plaster shell, and smoothed it out with the very wet fingers of one hand. Snowdrifts and snow-walls from the snowplow I made from self-made paper mâché. If every thing looked good and was dry, I let it snow. I covered the scenery with a good coat of very white acrylic paint and covered the still wet paint with a layer of fine grade glass-sand. This should be an ongoing process - do not let dry the paint or do not sprinkle the glass-sand to the very edge of the fresh paint, otherwise you get an ugly looking seam at the joint. Glass-sand is the stuff that makes road markings and signs reflecting in the light beam of your car and is available at the factories that make this kind of work. A pint of sand goes a long way; I estimate I covered around 30 square feet with this amount. Let it dry over night and remove the loose sand with a broad soft paintbrush, this sand may be used for the next session. Now stand back and you will see a wonderfully winter landscape, glowing in the light like fresh fallen snow in the trough braking sunshine. Unfortunately, it is not model railroad proof in this condition. The texture is too rough and dirt is not removable from it. Dust will soon destroy this magnificence. To protect the snow I painted a coat of full strength gloss acrylic transparent varnish over it. If not available, take diluted acrylic gloss medium. Matte medium and matte varnish does not work, the light reflecting effect of the glass sand will be destroyed. The snow looks now like old snow or snow that got some rain. But now it is washable for cleaning.

[railman]

I once did a module for some school project where it was winter on the railroad. Keep in mind this was Minnesota in January so I didn't have to get to close for people to get the idea- people would come in from sub-zero temps, see this 2 by 2 square of the fake snow and start shivering again.

I did have a good time doing it though. This was back in my earlier modeling days, and it provided a nice respite from the eternal summer modeled by most. A winter scene will definetely have a place on the home layout when the time comes.

[bowlingtraindude]

I made a snow scene module. I did it because the club that I'm in participates in a big winter time show in our area at the Kentucky Horse Park. Although our setup was during the wintertime, nobody had a winter module.

I used Woodland Scenics snow and it worked well. I just painted the surface with a white latex and then spread the snow. It's a little harder to work with then the ground foam, but not too hard. It does discolor though. The module is in it's third year and I'll have to add some snow. I also added a pond using lexan that was spray painted solid white on the bottom and just lightly misted on the top. I found some ice skaters from Model Power and added them. I also put Christmas lights on the house using fibre optics!

[tomwatkins]

Jon,
That is superb work. it's truly awesome. Rand Hood's articles are excellent. There is also an article by Paul Dolkos titled "Modeling the November Scene", which was published in MR in 1993 or 1994 which is worth refering to.

Tom Watkins

[Anonymous]

Guys, thanks for the wonderful thread. And Jon your layout is increadable. I am still undecided if I will go all snow, a mix or some other season. I might do a late fall with a light snow. You get the best of both worlds, the beautiful foliage and a touch of snow.

While not typical in Portland, in northern NH and even some years in Southern NH we can still have leaves on the trees and have snow. In 2002 I couldn't finish getting leaves up because in mid OCTOBER !! we had a 6"+ storm with several more following it into November. That made for a very long snowy winter.

Josh from soon to be snowy NH. And the temp is already dropping. Tonight its in the low 50's.

[Anonymous]

Thanks very much, Greg, most appreciated.

You've prompted me to dig out the layout and take some new pics - I'll bung some Conrail in this time. Watch this space.

Jon

Just for

[Anonymous]

Before I even opened this topic, I saw the subject and immediately thought of Jon Grant. I opened it to submit a response suggesting that Josh see Jon's work. Well, I see Jon saved me the effort. Nice work Jon. I always considered your winter modeling to the most believable I've ever seen, bar none. I live in So Cal, and the only time I see snow is in the mountain peaks around the LA basin, that arrives in January and lasts a few months while I'm driving around in 70-80 degree weather down at my elevation. I've actaully seen it last through June in some years - but those peaks are up around what, maybe 8-10K ft? Would you believe I actually miss the snow? And Jon's shots with the CSX locos are very realistic to me - enough so to bring back memories. How's that, you say? Come again? Well, I grew up in Pennsylvania and saw plenty of B&O action in the snow, not to mention N&W, Pennsy, P&LE, and later the Penn Central, then Conrail. Then I moved to New Hampshire & then Maine and really saw snow (and grew to hate it too) along the B&M and the MEC. I came to my senses and moved to So Cal. LOL I did marry a gal from Ottawa, Ontario Canada (talk about snow) which has provided me some opportunity to see the CN in the winter. I sometimes miss the snow and have purchased several videotapes of CSX railroading through the Allegheny range - including many nice winter shots through Sand Patch and the Cranberry grade, Cumberland to Grafton. Pentrex also offers 3 tapes of winter RR'g along the upper Mississippi. They're nice too. I can see snow up at Cajon on occasion since I live at the foot of the pass, and not too far from Tehachapi, which also gets dustings. As I model the desert southwest, I'll likely never model a winter scene, but I do really enjoy seeing Jon's work. Thanks for sharing, guy. Enjoy the hobby.

Greg

[dave9999]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BRAKIE

Sorry no..I am a summertime type of person and hate winter with the snow,ice sleet,bitter cold Canadian winds coming from the North..BRRRR! No,Summertime please.[:D]

Brakie,
After the summer we've had this year, everything you mentioned sounds like a
wonderland.[:)] If the heat index would drop below 100, I would be happy[8D]. Dave

[Anonymous]

A couuple of years ago Model Railroader published an article by Rand Hood on how to model winter scenes. He also demonstrates his techniques on the Allen Keller video on Doug Tagsolds Denver , Front Range, and Western. Mr. Hood is one OUTSTANDING modeler. Pick up the issue of MR (has D&RG locomotive on the cover--use the search tool on this website to find it. Look for Rand Hood or Hood, Rand,etc.)or watch the Keller video. It's well worth your time.BLOCKED SCRIPTinsertsmilie('[:)]')
Smile [:)]

[BRAKIE]

Sorry no..I am a summertime type of person and hate winter with the snow,ice sleet,bitter cold Canadian winds coming from the North..BRRRR! No,Summertime please.[:D]

[Anonymous]

Josh, I built this 'step by step guide to snow' 12 years ago, in an attempt to fend off some of the many questions about the snow. It's pretty self-explanatory if you know that the 'snow' is white emulsion paint and the sparkle effect is edible cake glitter. I also use plaster and plaster bandage for larger expanses.

Since I built the step by step guide I have experimented with sprinkling Woodland Scenics snow onto the wet paint. It looks fab, but does discolour and get dusty. That's why I run the layout as a nightscene at exhibitions.








Jon

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jon,

I know I have seen pics from your layout before. Looks awsome.

Do you ever get sick of the snow ?? and what did you use for it ?

Josh

[Anonymous]

Here's a couple more





Jon

[Anonymous]

I have.[:D]

First pic is how it should be run




I set the second pic up for some fun




Third pic mixed American trains with British architecture



Hope this inspires you to have a go yourself.

Jon

[Anonymous]

Has anyone done entire layout or at least a portion of it in a winter scene ? With snow on ground ?

I am pondering this thought for my layout based in Portland Maine. I tried one when I was younger, looked good but got all in the wheels of the loco's. I used baking powder.

Any thoughts ???


Josh