How do you make snow?

[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]

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.

[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]

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

[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

[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?[;)]

[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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[Big_Boy_4005]

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

[csmith9474]

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

[Marty Cozad]

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