How do you make snow?

[bcawthon]

I used Dave Frary's method with the Titanium White acrylic paint and matte gel medium. I first made the base with molding plaster for drifts and such, then used a palette knife to apply the mixture. Finally, I sprinkled some ultrafine clear glitter on top for the "sparkle" of fresh snow. The medium also works well for roofs, window ledges, etc. Trees were done with white spray paint sprayed from directly overhead with another sprinkling of the glitter.

[Rotorranch]

ROFLMAO.......Rex, ya hit the nail right on the head! Turn the A/C wide open, and it'll snow! [:D]

As usual, this forum has provided another fun thread! Marty's snow shots are awesome! If I didn't know better, I'd thought it was a full scale train! I wish I could get that type of realism on my HO layout, but the Wife Unit would be majorly PO'd if I dumped a half a ton of white stuff in the train room!

Rotor

[rexhea]

Well, you northern outdoor guys could always buy a snow machine like they use on the ski slopes.
We southern inside guys could turn the A.C. down to freezing. With all our humidity, we are bound to get a snow cloud formed. [:D]

REX

[edkowal]

I didn't remember this until this evening, but the two articles by Rand Hood are included in their entirety in a Kalmbach book that is still in print.

The book is:

The New Scenery Tips & Techniques

You can get it from this website, at the Model Railroader page, under books, then scenery. ( I just checked. ) You can also get it at many hobby shops.

In addition to modelling winter scenes, there's a lot of good information on making trees and forests, and water effects as well.

-Ed

[Anonymous]

In Wisconsin we can make it snow just by planting our flowers a bit too early.
Mark B

[Anonymous]

I actually had snow in South Texas this past Winter...no kidding!!!




I got lots of pics, I am affraid I wasn't read for it to the pics are not up to my usual standards.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by edkowal

There were two excellent articles about snow and winter effects in Model Railroader by Rand Hood. They were in the January and February 1996 issues, and may even have been the cover story for at least one of these issues.

As two articles in consecutive issues may imply, there was an abundance of good ideas presented, complete with clear photos of what you can get using the techniques presented. If I remember correctly, Rand Hood is a pretty good artist as well, and the photos showed winter landscapes that resembled good paintings of winter subjects.

His techniques definitely conveyed the idea that it was COLD and WINTRY on the landscapes in question. Excellent articles to track down, either at a library or through a used magazine dealer.

-Ed

He even has the frost on the tracks, with some melted off where the sun would hit, he is a good master at the Rockies. I also remember he used tin foild for fish [:)]

[edkowal]

There were two excellent articles about snow and winter effects in Model Railroader by Rand Hood. They were in the January and February 1996 issues, and may even have been the cover story for at least one of these issues.

As two articles in consecutive issues may imply, there was an abundance of good ideas presented, complete with clear photos of what you can get using the techniques presented. If I remember correctly, Rand Hood is a pretty good artist as well, and the photos showed winter landscapes that resembled good paintings of winter subjects.

His techniques definitely conveyed the idea that it was COLD and WINTRY on the landscapes in question. Excellent articles to track down, either at a library or through a used magazine dealer.

-Ed

[Marty Cozad]

Does any one have some photos of their snow scenes on their railroads?
I'd have to go dig through the shoe boxes to find mine. Thank God for CDs now!!

[Anonymous]

To whoever posted the first question, I asked it about 4 months ago, and found that the Christmas snow spray for the trees works great. I have it on a high mountain on my N scale layout. But I had to form a snow line, which was easy with the spray, since a normal brush will remove it, but the vaccum won't till it's loosened. For depth, Just keep empting cans of the stuff. Good luck. DD

[Rotorranch]

OBTW....awesome realistic looking snow! [;)] How'd you model that? [:D]

I sure miss real snow, ( but not the cold! )... here it only snows about once every 7-10 years. And when it does, the whole world ceases to function! [:0]

Rotor

[Rotorranch]

[(-D][(-D][(-D]

Don't feel bad....I'm still learning new tricks about this forum too!

Glad you figured it out!

Rotor

[Marty Cozad]

I mean when I'm typing a new reply,
GGEEEEsss
I feel snowed under!!!


Just call me brain DEAD, I'm using quick reply[B)][B)][:I]
FINally figured out how to get my sig to work, I had it in the wrong box.[8)][B)]

[Rotorranch]

You mean the smilies? I see em, both yours and mine. There is a button, ( in your preferences? ) that either turns smilies off or on when you view posts.

Rotor

[Marty Cozad]

When I first learned how to use the internet I was so worried about keeping everything unknown till i found out how easy it is to find out about others if you know what your doing.,
Now that I came out of the closet that I'm an outdoor model railroader my life has totally changed.
BTY, Why are the faces not showing on my screen? I only see them when i edit???

[Rotorranch]

[(-D][(-D]

Actually, I didn't see the turnout behind the train till you mentioned it. Guess I need my glasses more and more every day! [8D]

As for my name, most folks I know round here (Atlanta) know me only as Rotor....many haven't a clue what my name really is! I got nicknamed that back in the late 70's-early 80's, and it's stuck! So Rotor's just fine with me! ( You needn't be so formal as to call me MISTER Rotor! ) [;)][:)][:D][^]

Rotor

BTW....I heard that Yellow Snow will make your loco go blind! [:D]

[Marty Cozad]

Mr Rotor
How came many of you don't at less put your first name in your profile.
Its nice to call you something.

I know your joking because you can see the switch on the main where the snow fell onto the track when the plow took to the siding.
I have a friend in FL that loves the GN as much as you do.
He always has this ugly looking horned dog on the cat walk of his caboose.

As far as yellow snow, i read a book on it by I. P. Freely.[;)][:I]

[Rotorranch]

I do know how to make yellow snow! [;)][:)][:D][(-D]

Rotor

[Rotorranch]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Marty Cozad

...
On your model railroad its very important to keep the line clear.

Here the snow fighting team is clearing the siding at Minersville

I just wanna know how that train got there with no tracks behind it! [?][;)][:D]

Rotor

[Marty Cozad]

Back in HO days , I had two RRs that had snow in one corner. The problem was that I did not want to put snow on any of my engines or cars thus it never quit made the scene.
Now I let it snow, let it snow let it snow. Then it melts off in the shop

[Anonymous]

Although I have never used it myself, I have seen some great looking snow effects done with Marble Dust, it gives not only the right looking 'whiteness' but also a slight relection to the snow.

Peace.
Coyote

[TheJoat]

Even with weights in that plow it's hard to get through the drifts...

[robert sylvester]

[#welcome]I may have missed it from the discussions above, but I have seen several layouts that use talcom powder or baby powder. A light dusting of talcom powder is very effective, in fact it makes the area look cold. I have also seen gypsum mixed with matte medium to paint roofs, trees and land forms and that is also very effective as well.
I have also seen Enviro-Tex lite with a couple of drops of silver or gray paint mixed in and used for ice. The snow that you buy in bags for Christmas displays is a little out of scale for HO, It does however work well with G scale.
Robert
WTRR
Hub City Division[8D]

[Capt Bob Johnson]

Not living where Marty is and lots of snow is normal in winter I have to wait for cold weather, then I get a few of my friends from the local Native American Indian Tribe to do a rain dance. Cold weather + rain = snow

[smcgill]

I thought that everyone could do this ![:D][:D][:-^]



Looks real ha!![;)][:-^]

[Marty Cozad]

No sorry,
***, I feel like an old guy. Most my GOOD friends are older than me. I have great respect for those folks who have paid the price.

TATANs
You don't have a first name on your profile.
Most my photos is ,,,TRUELY ,,,serously,,,,,,while I was out railfanning and running trains.
the lighter the snow the less motive power.
Ice is my biggest enemy. If we get ice and deep wet snow i have a kids plastic shovel about 10" wide and i clear the tracks. let the sun hit it for one day and I'm off and running.
On board battery power has freed us out door modelers up. Aristo makes batt ready locos that you hit the switch and plug in your power source and your off. Out of the box locos.
The photo above you see a stock car that has the RC unit and batt. In the old days I was told you need air flow on these things.
The newer RC units can handle the heat because the manufactures KNOWs that we work our trains.
Aristo's 10 amp Train Engineer that most HO clubs use is what I use as onboard controler to run up to 4 locos in lash up with MU plugs between them.
RCS Systems has in engine units as well as car units.
Its much cheaper to start out tring RC in a gondola and seeing if you like it before you envest the $$ into other stuff.

I run year round. last winter I was shut down for 3 weeks becuase of high winds and drifts. I could not find tunnel one to clear it.
Most winters are dryer and when theres a blanket of snow and 28 degrees out , no wind , and full sunny after noon this is heaven on our RR.
I hope this answers alittle.

EVEN if your not interested in out door trains.
Garden Railways Dec issue on the back cover will have a photo.
PLUS
I think that they will have on their web site a video clip or two of the rotary in action with NO human help.
I have never worked so hard to have FUN in my life , than now.[^]

[grayfox1119]

[:D][(-D][(-D] Sorry Marty, I was referring to us olde guys that had to clean their battery terminals all the time on our 1940's through 1970's cars before battery Mfg made better batteries.

[tatans]

How do you make snow? Move to Canada ! ! Marty , can you really plow your roadbed with a model ?? seriously, I often wondered if this was possible, how much ballast is needed how much power, etc, etc fill us in on the operation of outside winter operation, thanks for the photos.

[Marty Cozad]

OLD guys!!!!!!!!

Come on *** I'm only in my mid 40's


Heres a railfanning shot that was on a calendar for MyLargescale.com web site. and it was VERY cooooooooool taking this one.




G.N. Sd45 #410 on her way home and nothing is stopping her.
As in 14 degrees out. Perfect for bust'in drifts.