What´s up with operating in the snow???

[Anonymous]

I would like to know to which snow-height do you operate your garden railway??
How many inches of snow there must be that would force you to stop operating your garden trains? or do you use (rotary) snow plows???

[vsmith]

Oh Marty..

I think we got a live one for you....[;)]

[FJ and G]

Plants hibernate under the snow. I suppose trains could hibernate under a blanket of thick snow and then awake during the spring thaw, with a yawn.

[vsmith]

Here are some links to our resident snow-fighter Marty's abilites to operate year round regardles of how much of the white stuff gets dumped on his layout. Should answer most of the questions....[;)]

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=55913
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=28593
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=51454

[Anonymous]

WOW! The pics said more than 1000 words! I´m satisfied now.

[Marty Cozad]

How many inches??? Good question.
Last year the RR was shut down for 2 weeks only because of high winds and 3 ft drifts.
Most of the time IF there is NO ice on the rail the wedge plow can clear its body height and same with the rotary.,
If there is some drifting I usually use a kids 12" plastic shovel to clear the line. The sun then melts the ice and we're off and running. Of course thats not as realistic looking but it still makes it fun.
Hope that helps.
3 inch cold snows are the best. Wet stuff is ok but not preffered.

[Curmudgeon]

I kept the line open with 30" on the ground one year, lost the Gorge Line Grade due to impacting drifts.
But, I was at it at 0300 keeping it so.

Lotta work, just like the real railroads.

But a hoot, too.

TOC

[Marty Cozad]

When TOC is running trains in the snow.
Its kinda like having Santa himself playing.
But with a cigar....

[Southwest Chief]

This is the deepest I've run in, but I'm not normally at my layout during the winter months.



Powder is preferable, the wet stuff just clogs everything.

[Anonymous]

Wow!! That is cool!!! Same to you , Marty Cozad!

Southwest Chief...tell me, does that rotary actually operate. Even if it doesn't it is still WAY cool...

HO scaler out [;)]

[Anonymous]

Check this link of Marty's Rotary in full action!

http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/006/180nfsne.asp

[Anonymous]

THAT is incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the link, Carpenter Matt!

[Buckeye Riveter]

QUOTE: Originally posted by carpenter matt

Check this link of Marty's Rotary in full action!

http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/006/180nfsne.asp

That is one of the best Garden RR Video's ever made. Wow!!

[Southwest Chief]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rgroeling

Southwest Chief...tell me, does that rotary actually operate. Even if it doesn't it is still WAY cool...

Absolutely! Although I get much better operation in fresh powder. In the ice it gets clogged very easily. The picture I posted was taken after a fresh snow, and I could plow a little off the top layer (fresh) but the harder icy snow below caused trouble. But the train was powerful enough to just use the plow to pu***he snow out of the way [;)]

The trick is to get out as soon as it starts snowing. After a day of melting and a night of freezing it isn’t going anywhere without a shovel [xx(]

The rotary is really more for looks, I get the best results with brute strength and my wedge plow on a Bachmann 2-8-0:

[Marty Cozad]

Matt
Good photo.
BUT
the word "brute strength " and Bachmann just don't seem to go together???

[Anonymous]

Fantastic pics and videos, thanks for posting/linking these!

[Tom The Brat]

I have to say, I think they're crazier than I am[:-,]

[bman36]

Hey guys,
I have been wanting to give this snow deal a go but we keep getting wet snow with a feeze right after. Oh well maybe next year. Later eh...Brian.