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Snow options

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  • Member since
    October 2010
  • 383 posts
Posted by Billwiz on Monday, November 22, 2021 6:12 PM

speedybee
Hey all. I'm thinking of building a winter theme portable module

Hi Speedtbee!

So sorry that your original post has morphed.  I'd like to ask a question.  Are you looking to create a "holiday/snow" scene or a prototypical "this is what the snow looks like after a few days" theme?  One is very beautiful, "White Christmas-like" while the other more like Fine Scale Miniatures with the dirt and dinge of industrial life.

With the idea of a portable layout to take places, I think you would like a Christmas Card winter scene, however for any of us to make that assumption is incorrect.  Let us know, and perhaps we can get back to your request.

I'm hoping we can truly answer your question simply.

 

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 1,519 posts
Posted by trainnut1250 on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 2:00 PM

 Returning back to the topic of modeling snow:

The best snow I have seen was in a series of articles (circa late 90’s) in MR (previously mentioned in this thread). The modeler was Rand Hood and the snow and ice looked great.

A more recent snow modeler is Mike Confalone. He has some great looking snow on his layout as well.

One of my local modeling buddies had a great snow scene on his layout. He used plaster, paint and reflective crystals to give the snow that “sparkly” look. The snow did get dirty from time to time but he was able to keep it looking pretty good with a soft brush and vacuum cleaning every once in a while.

As with all extreme scenery techniques, I would practice first before the snowstorm hits the layout.

Guy

see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site

  • Member since
    October 2020
  • 3,604 posts
Posted by NorthBrit on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 2:06 PM

trainnut1250
 

As with all extreme scenery techniques, I would practice first before the snowstorm hits the layout.

Guy

 

And  do not upset the Household Authorities.  Thumbs Down

 

David

To the world you are someone.    To someone you are the world

I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought

  • Member since
    December 2016
  • 168 posts
Posted by speedybee on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 8:34 PM

Billwiz
Are you looking to create a "holiday/snow" scene or a prototypical "this is what the snow looks like after a few days" theme?  One is very beautiful, "White Christmas-like" while the other more like Fine Scale Miniatures with the dirt and dinge of industrial life.

With the idea of a portable layout to take places, I think you would like a Christmas Card winter scene

Yes, more of a "White Christmas" type scene. I do intend to use proper buildings on the layout, not gingerbread houses or Lemaxian structures, but I am aiming for the idyllic village covered by recent/ongoing snowfall look. Everything covered in at least a few inches of new snow. Should be easier to model that way too.

I think my next step is to just work out doing good snow coverage on a large area and for that I'll pick up some white flat paint, white sparkles, and probably try some WS snow, and do some experimenting. Later I'll work on getting the icicles to be pointed at appropriate angles

 

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 9:58 PM

speedybee
Yes, more of a "White Christmas" type scene.

Those are the best scenes for railroad layouts.

Will the snow be permanent on the module?

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • 383 posts
Posted by Billwiz on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 7:59 AM

speedybee
Yes, more of a "White Christmas" type scene.

I have used the Woodland Scenics snow and added a little glitter for sparkles.  Mine was a portable Christmas layout for our church's annual Polar Express event.  I also used some "hobby snow" which were little round foam balls that got everywhere and looked terrible.

One thought, check out the Classic Toy Trains site and forum - many have done winter scenes which might give you some inspiration and guidance.

Send us pictures when you get started!

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 8:26 AM

I used to set up a layout in the living room, every year for Christmas.  I used WS snow, and white latex caulk for street scenes.

Mike.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 8:29 AM

mbinsewi
I used to set up a layout in the living room, every year for Christmas

Mike, I love the last picture. The scene looks great.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 8:38 AM

Thanks Kevin, the first picture is way to blurry.  I wish I would've taken more pictures  of the complete layout.  I had perfected ( in my eyes) the bare tree look.

Mike.

 

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,853 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 8:17 PM

Mike, I love the ice fishing scene.  That's perfect.

Mike

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 10:01 PM

Water Level Route
Mike, I love the ice fishing scene.

I did not even notice they were ice-fishing!

This activity has no point of reference in my life.

Laugh

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Saturday, November 27, 2021 1:56 AM

A longtime friend created this snow scene...

 

I did the detail work on the plow, and built the tender which accompanies it.

Wayne

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Saturday, November 27, 2021 10:08 AM

Nice scene Wayne.  It looks like the real heavy wet "mashed potato" snow.

Mike.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, November 27, 2021 11:18 AM

doctorwayne
A longtime friend created this snow scene.

That looks beautiful. The photography is also excellent.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, November 28, 2021 1:41 PM

Thanks for the kind comments, guys.  I've passed them on to my friend, who thanks you as well.

Wayne

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