How do you make snow?

[Marty Cozad]

I was just wondering? I used to use the stuff you spray on trees.[:I]

[csmith9474]

Is this stuff any good?
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/785-140

[Big_Boy_4005]

I always thought baking soda would make good snow. Cheaper than Woodland Scenics too.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

I always thought baking soda would make good snow. Cheaper than Woodland Scenics too.

Isn't baking soda an acidic (sp)? Would that have any bad impact on foam or anything like that? I bought the WS snow, it looked interesting, but never used it, ended up taking it back.

[Curmudgeon]

I know how I USE snow.
Making it is the Big Guy's job.
I open the access door, and depending on depth I couple a Rotary or a Wedge on the nose of a double-head, fire them up, and PLOW it off the mainline.
Then we go back and get the passing sidings.
Spurs are last.
We keep a plow on a ready track if it's threatening to snow.
I have been out in 30" of the stuff at 0300 keeping the line clear for traffic.
What's Baking Soda?
TOC

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dthurman

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

I always thought baking soda would make good snow. Cheaper than Woodland Scenics too.

Isn't baking soda an acidic (sp)? Would that have any bad impact on foam or anything like that? I bought the WS snow, it looked interesting, but never used it, ended up taking it back.

Actually, I think it's alkali, because when you put vinegar on it it fizzes. Vinegar is the acid. I would think it would be inert, unless it got wet.

I'm pretty sure it would have no effect on foam, because foam is a hydrocarbon. Only certain hydrocarbon solvents attack foam. If it welds plastic, it dissolves foam.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Curmudgeon

We keep a plow on a ready track if it's threatening to snow.
I have been out in 30" of the stuff at 0300 keeping the line clear for traffic.
TOC

What scale is that in? N?

Instead of modelling huge snow drifts... when you've worked out ho to model snow... how about modelling the first light falls or the last remains? This way you get the best of both worlds... all the snow equipment but you can still see all your buildings, people, autos etc.

[Anonymous]

Woodland Scenics has hobby snow, and perhaps several other firms. Check the Walthers website, do a search on snow and you should find what is available.

Do not use baking soda; it can corrode the metal wheels and other parts of model engines when it reacts with moisture in the air.

For winter diorama photos, I've used cooking flour quite a bit. It's cheap and non toxic to models. I only leave it down until after I'm shooting then vacuum it up. It would not be good on a layout permanently as it could attract vermin and/or insects.

Bob Boudreau

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by David Foster

QUOTE: Originally posted by Curmudgeon

We keep a plow on a ready track if it's threatening to snow.
I have been out in 30" of the stuff at 0300 keeping the line clear for traffic.
TOC

What scale is that in? N?

Instead of modelling huge snow drifts... when you've worked out ho to model snow... how about modelling the first light falls or the last remains? This way you get the best of both worlds... all the snow equipment but you can still see all your buildings, people, autos etc.

N??? Nah, Curmudgeon's a gardener. Does his response make more sense now?[;)]

[randyaj]

Someone else asked a similar question earlier, so let me have a go at this topic. I am using Woodland Scenics snow. The trick is to put it down layer by layer. I paint on a slightly thinned coat of matte meduim, then shake on a layer of snow, let set for a few minutes then spray on a thinned coat of matte. Let dry for a day and then place the next layer in the same method. I have put on 5 or 6 layers before I have the effect that I am desiring.
Good luck
Randy Johnson

[Marty Cozad]

Layers? Dry?
how do you clearthe track with your wedge plow? Doesn't that stuff stick in the rotary?
I'm just wondering?

[Curmudgeon]

Ah, but the wedge is adjustable......I can have it actually touch the rails if I want....
You know how rotaries work....
The faster they run, the further they throw the stuff!

What's fun is them turkeys with the archaic track power trying to do it.
And the ice under the wheels, since it's pure fresh snow, doesn't conduct electricity, so they just sit there......


The only concession is several cans of NAPA windshield de-icer for the points.....

[Marty Cozad]

OH, come on guys this is not a trick question.
How do you make snow???
Answer: By freezing tiny droplets of water in the air.
On your model railroad its very important to keep the line clear.

Here the snow fighting team is clearing the siding at Minersville


As evening gets closer they are heading north to the big canyon bridge


Can't you just feel the cold air in this photo?


Its almost time for crew change and this crew is ready for a HOT dinner.

[grayfox1119]

I use Woodland Scenics snow. Dept.56 also sells it in bags to be used on their Christmas displays. You can buy it at any store that sells Dept.56 products, or online.

As for Baking Soda....it is an Alkaline, it is used in baking, and it is used also in swimming pools to balance the Ph when the water gets too acidic. It will not burn you, you eat it in baked goods !! People also used to use it to clean up the corrosion around battery terminals...you old guys ought to remember that!!!!!!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.[^]

[smcgill]

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



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

[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

[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]

[TheJoat]

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

[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

[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

[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

[Rotorranch]

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

Rotor

[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]

[(-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]

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]

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