G scale in SNOW

[Ricketygbridges]

Our first snow arrived , so I get to try my newly created snow plow, see pictures, it is first time in 14 years on this layout always been too busy working, now I'm retired .

 

[Paul M]

That looks the business

 

[Ricketygbridges]

Thank You. It was great fun trying to get an Aristocraft plow to fit anything, but it fit an Delton (old, spare body) with help and Bachmann trucks, s/steel wheels, and plate steel for wt, and adjustment plates for ht. I'd do it again but these parts are v hard to find now. Thanks again. R

 

[Riograndad]

Smart beastie and does the job

 

[Sean.]

I modified My Aristo plow ...

 

[Madman]

Our first snow arrived , so I get to try my newly created snow plow, see pictures, it is first time in 14 years on this layout always been too busy working, now I'm retired .View attachment 293124View attachment 293124View attachment 293124View attachment 293125

Are the first three photos supposed to show progress.....?.....

 

[TTaannggss]

So I just presume that trains in the snow is just battery powered trains??

 

[PhilP]

So I just presume that trains in the snow is just battery powered trains??

Not necessarily...

Live steam looks fantastic, in cold weather, but there can be problems with gas pressure, etc.

Track power can also be used, but there can be a problem with ice and current pickup..

The biggest problem, is that ice / water / condensation, does not mix with electronics..
You must wipe-down loco's after the run, and good to have them in warm, ventilated storage after the run. That way they will dry out thoroughly..

PhilP

 

[phils2um]

So I just presume that trains in the snow is just battery powered trains??

As Phil P said. I use track power and run year-round. I don't have a true plow wagon yet so if the snowfall is more than a "dusting" I use a flat shovel to clear of my line. A trowel and wisk broom are used where things might be damaged (station areas, turnout lanterns, etc.). The fairly standard 9 inch wide flat shovel I use is perfect for clearing the right-of-way. I just rest it on the rails and push the snow until enough builds up on the shovel to lift and throw aside. One sunny day is all it takes for the remnants in the turnouts to melt/sublime away. There are quite a few winter shots on my RR thread: Phil S' RR

Edit added: Needless to say, the track power is OFF when removing snow with shovel and trowel!

 

[Ricketygbridges]

I modified My Aristo plow ...

Very nice!! Didn't know Aristo made a snow plow, 1st I've seen. Love the wings. Great job. Ricketygbridges

 

[Paul M]

With the cost of electricity for track power and battery charging, I wonder how clockwork would cope in the snow

 

[Chris Vernell]

My trains might run in snow.
I don't.

 

[dunnyrail]

Snow running great fun if you can cope with the cold.

 

[TTaannggss]

Ya winter is not too bad looking at in on the warm side of a window.

 

[chris m01]

The last decent dollop of snow around my area was back in December 2017. We have had snow since then but either it was the wrong type of snow or I was busy. I run track power. The only issue is that air temperature needs to be above freezing otherwise ice forms on the rails as soon as the track is cleared of snow. As Phil P says, it is important to dry the locos off properly afterwards. I leave mine on the kitchen drainer for the rest of the day which doesn't make me very popular.

 

[dunnyrail]

The last decent dollop of snow around my area was back in December 2017. We have had snow since then but either it was the wrong type of snow or I was busy. I run track power. The only issue is that air temperature needs to be above freezing otherwise ice forms on the rails as soon as the track is cleared of snow. As Phil P says, it is important to dry the locos off properly afterwards. I leave mine on the kitchen drainer for the rest of the day which doesn't make me very popular.

Cant imagine why!

 

[Northsider]

The Northern can and does run in snow, but as Dunnyrail shows above, line clearance can be quite slow. Using a prototypical Manx 'small' plough -which fits under the bufferbeam- to clear scale drifts that are six feet deep or more is about as effective on a model as it would be at 12 inches to the foot! And after all that, there aren't the passengers for more than a coach or two...

 

[Sean.]

Then you have to step it up a notch ....

 

[TTaannggss]

I bet it would take a while for your rotary to go through that. .