Getting ready for the snow ?

maxi-model

maxi-model

UK/US/ROW steam narrow gauge railways 1:1
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With snow forcast for Monday round these parts I thought I'd get myself ready for a bit of running.
Built one of Rio Grande Models UK's Gunnison snow ploughs to go with my Mikados a couple of years ago but have never got round to running it for what it was intended for.

Have had a good run round the track checking for any guaging issues and for general condition, a little balasting and track cleaning was required. Hopefully I'm set and ready to go. Are there any issues I should be aware of regarding track power in these conditions ?

Sharp end
4007dabd2737488492ffc3be4bd7e005.jpg

Back end
7727791ff60841d99b05b92a694930eb.jpg

Now to find out if it all works, fingers crossed.

Max.
 
Now that's a SNOW PLOUGH!

Like it!!!
 
Hi Max
Nice!!!
Always liked the Rio Grande Models plow and have been trying to make a similar one from a converted Aristocraft snow plow.
Thought of the RGM one for a kit and I have tried to contact them but they never reply...are they still going?

I have been ill for about 2 weeks but I really want to see if I can get a plow of some sort rigged up for the impending snow.

Shawn it ain't going to be like the stuff you had recently, that's for sure!
 
maxi-model said:
With snow forcast for Monday round these parts I thought I'd get myself ready for a bit of running.
Built one of Rio Grande Models UK's Gunnison snow ploughs to go with my Mikados a couple of years ago but have never got round to running it for what it was intended for.

Have had a good run round the track checking for any guaging issues and for general condition, a little balasting and track cleaning was required. Hopefully I'm set and ready to go. Are there any issues I should be aware of regarding track power in these conditions ?

Max.
Click to expand...
That's the business. Never found out about track power in these conditions, because I have both battery and steam that I can use. I s'pose there comes a point where the snow does short the track :thinking::thinking: dunno

The real difficulty is getting the right sort of snow :rolf::rolf: the first time I tried my plow, there was about 2 inches of snow which had started to fall as rains, then sleet. This was very dense, and was more like a brick wall, and quite impenetrable. A couple of days later, I cleared the track, and after that we had a nice few millimetres of white fluffy snow which the plow enjoyed greatly :thumbup::thumbup:
 
Their website is still up https://sites.google.com/site/riograndemodelsuk/ but I must admit I'm still waiting to hear about my kitchen car that was supposed to be ready autumn 2012. I must follow up.

If you are thinking of making your own Mike then try using an AMS or Spectrum high side gondola as a base. Cut one end, non brake, and slap on your Arisocraft plow. Fill with rocks. But note, while the body appears to be standard high side gon' it is set up to ride low on its bogies.

Make sure you minimise pitch and roll (yaw) on the bogies when mounted, otherwise you will find yourself fouling the rails and derailng on curves while being propelled. Make sure you can trim the ride hight and pitch (either via the bogie mounts or an adjustable plow mount). I used Arisotcraft diecast B/B trucks. Seems to run fine but will it plough ? Or should that be plow ?

Max.
 
Fantastic looking plow Max :thumbup:
Been out tidying up my line today but some work needs doing to parts of the line due to tree roots pushing up the track will still try to run my Rotary OY lets just hope it's the right sort of snow .
Our you thinking of using your live steam K-28 to push the plow ?
 
beavercreek said:
Hi Max
Nice!!!
Always liked the Rio Grande Models plow and have been trying to make a similar one from a converted Aristocraft snow plow.
Thought of the RGM one for a kit and I have tried to contact them but they never reply...are they still going?

I have been ill for about 2 weeks but I really want to see if I can get a plow of some sort rigged up for the impending snow.

Shawn it ain't going to be like the stuff you had recently, that's for sure!
Click to expand...

Hi Mike
Sorry to hear you not too well i hope you get well soon .
Here's a pic of Daves home made plow that you might remember from my Birthday openday which he made from a gondola and a Aristo plow .
7b224bd9fc8e45a9af3a725b3f83ac63.jpg
 
I'm happy for all you Snow Birds. But keep that white stuff to yourselves. :holdon:
 
I have found track power and snow are fine - no problem with shorting or anything.
But there is an issue with track power. You have to wait for the temperature to be above freezing. If the temperature is below freezing ice forms on the freshly cleared track. So a track powered loco can push the snow round ok but then not be able to go round again because of the ice on the track preventing electrical contact. Thats what happened to me anyway. But if the temperature is just above freezing then wahoo!!
You will need a powerful loco, preferably 2 .
Put a lot of weight in the plow truck .
For plowing 24 volts is noticeably more useful than 18. Surprisingly amps don't seem to be so important.
Also I find it is best to let the locos and plow thaw out on the draining board afterwards. I then keep them unboxed and in a warm environment for at least a day so they can completely dry out. The only time I had a problem with a loco was when I ran it in the snow then left it in the shed without drying it out in the house. This was an LGB loco and the motor and drive train went a bit stiff. A good clean and a bit of oil/grease sorted it though.

My previous exploits:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhd7ELe6x4Y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD54mrudBD0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FFFIWvyYbI

Looking forward to seeing everyone's adventures.
 
Looks like I will be plowing then :laugh: . Forecast says that temp will be 1 + degree C. Will have the logging Mallet ready as back up, bendy and sure footed. The shortie gon' pictured behind the plow (Aristocraft with some 1:20.3 detailing bits to try and make it look the part) has 2 sprung LGB track cleaning skates amidships. Thanks for the tips, I shall now plow with confidence.

Richie, would love to run K-28 but still a bit of a novice with it so will not risk if I cannot see the track. Maybe next year. Love the Gunnison looky-likey plow, just what I was suggesting and probably just a effective and a lot cheaper than the RGUK item.

Snow......bring it on.

Max.
 
maxi-model said:
Looks like I will be plowing then :laugh: . Forecast says that temp will be 1 + degree C. Will have the logging Mallet ready as back up, bendy and sure footed. The shortie gon' pictured behind the plow (Aristocraft with some 1:20.3 detailing bits to try and make it look the part) has 2 sprung LGB track cleaning skates amidships. Thanks for the tips, I shall now plow with confidence.

Richie, would love to run K-28 but still a bit of a novice with it so will not risk if I cannot see the track. Maybe next year. Love the Gunnison looky-likey plow, just what I was suggesting and probably just a effective and a lot cheaper than the RGUK item.

Snow......bring it on.

Max.
Click to expand...
If you guys need help dont hesitate to ask. The Kittatinny boys are experts with snow Lol
Max if you are going to use the US spelling for plow you also have to use Fahrenheit for temps. :rolf:
 
Well I had a lovely run with the 2135 hrs train , just my old Brown cab Stainz and my illuminated 306whatever coach, loco running bunker first red light aglow, cosy yellow light shining in the coach. Magical :love: After about 20 minutes my wife brought my coat out.
 
Chris M said:
maxi-model said:
Seems to run fine but will it plough ? Or should that be plow ?
Click to expand...
Plough if you model UK
Plow if you model American
Click to expand...

Plough (also spelt plow), may refer to:
[*]http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Plough < Link To Plough, a tool used in farming for initial cultivation of soil[*]http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Carucate < Link To Plough, a unit of medieval measurement[*]Plough, a name for the asterism http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Big_Dipper < Link To Big Dipper, in the constellation of Ursa Major[*]Plough, a form of http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Backstaff#The_plough < Link To backstaff, a device for steering a ship[*]Plough, a pair of http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Contact_shoe < Link To shoes on a vehicle such as a http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Tram < Link To tram, that draw power from a http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Conduit_current_collection < Link To pair of rails (One positive, one negative to complete the cirquit) underneath the road[*]http://www.gscalecentral.net/w/index.php?title=The_Plough_(magazine)&action=edit&redlink=1 < Link To The Plough (magazine), a United Kingdom magazine[*]Plough pose, a name for the http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Halasana < Link To Halasana pose in Yoga[*]Plough, a http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Bookbinding < Link To bookbinding tool used to trim the edges of a book[*]Plough, a http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Slang < Link To slang term meaning to engage in http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/Sexual_intercourse < Link To sexual intercourse with

A snowplow (also spelled snow plow, snowplough or snow plough, see http://www.gscalecentral.net/wiki/A...ifferences#Miscellaneous_spelling_differences < Link To miscellaneous spelling differences)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SDPM_snowplow_near_Hotsy_railway_halt.JPG
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Snow_plough_train_II.JPG
 
also one type of carpenter's plane

or to plough through something (tedious task) or bulldoze your way through:rolf::rolf::rolf:
 
Shawn said:
[If you guys need help dont hesitate to ask. The Kittatinny boys are experts with snow Lol
Max if you are going to use the US spelling for plow you also have to use Fahrenheit for temps. :rolf:
Click to expand...

Ok Shawn. It's now 2.41 a.m.ET (7.41 GMT, proper time), it's 34 degrees and there is 1" of snow out there so far. Will call the Kittatinny crew if we get ito difficulties :bigsmile:

Going out there (I might be a while) as soon as the plumber arrives at 9 a.m. to fix the taps in the kitchen to do a bit of US style plowing. I'll try to do a vid' as well as some pics.

Max.
 
Goodly shots and vid Max. The line looks good as well!

Not sure if I will be able to get a plow train together for tomorrow (apparently we are getting a bucket full of snow tonight)
 
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