Temp snow on a layout

Bob,

I have yet to find a "snow" that is realistic and totally removable. A snow product that was actually shredded white plastic bag material was the easiest to remove, but was lacking on the realism end.

The finer, more realistic snow products always left some remains that had to be covered with additional ground cover when "spring" came again to the area. The finer the material, the more difficult it is to remove. If sparkle is added to the snow, it compounds the problem.

Now, I create my snow scenes on a separate diorama or display area.

Jim

I just used material from the craft store, almost like cotton. comes in a bag, pull it/stretch it apart. Probably not the most realistic looking but then again it's simple and isn't messy.

Here are two "probably not good examples", I just kinda threw it down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...x=9&feature=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...=channel&list=UL

CTT just had an article in their last issue showing how to stage a winter scene for a photo.   They laid strips of white tissue paper over their scenery material and covered it with baking soda.  Probably still not 100% easy clean up, but should work if you can vacuum your layout.

I've used baking soda to add snow to building rooftops on my christmas displays.  It looks pretty good.

I use this from time to time as well - you have to be diligent and police the tracks or it could conceivably get pulled up into the running gear of your locos and cause problems.  I didn't have this happen, but I kept it a fair distance from the tracks.  I think it looks OK from a distance and when used on a white colored base, it passes for snow.  It's easy to clean up - I pick up what I can and then just vacuum up the rest with an attachment.  It's pretty cheap, so I don't mind wasting half a bag or so once a year.  

It's not like my squeaky clean engines, fastrack, and plastic buildings are high up there on the realism scale to begin with 

I think a distinction should be made between methods for a temporary scene for a photo shoot vs. one that trains will actually be run through on a regular basis, if only for a few weeks.

I've never been a fan of loose material for an operating layout. It's OK for a few photos, but not for an operating layout IMO. I've picked enough fibers and grit of various origins from gears and wheels of customers' trains when helping out at the local hobby shop to stay away from loose or fluffy stuff.

I'm also a little skeptical about keeping baking soda in contact with any part of the layout (particularly metal) for an extended period of time.

Jim

I agree with Jim P.

If I wanted to see snow, I would take a few images and 'photoshop' it into them, unless it was going to be permanent.

Simon

Thanks all for your thoughtful answers! I had two projects in mind, one for my permanent layout as we wanted to make it fit the season, second a temp project Im pondering for a cub scout den at our church. I think the fabric as mentioned by David will work for that and gets me thinking on how we can use it for the project. 

As usual the forum has come to the Rescue! 

Thanx

Bob

Now, I create my snow scenes on a separate diorama or display area

ditto here.

Usually under the tree with the grand kids

 I always only have a temporary layout and I would guess that I've simulated snow 1/2 the time.

I have always used Baking Soda (Arm & Hammer in the yellow box).  I have put it on structures and also on "the ground".  My "ground" is Homasote that I've painted green.   For comparison sake, my completed layout it usually up for 2 months meaning the baking soda is resident for that long too.

I'm guessing here, but my observation makes me think that the problem is that moisture in the air seems to get absorbed into the baking soda and then that sticks to what it's touching.

I didn't have any problems removing it from the Homasote: I shop-vac'd it up and then  had to follow that up with a damp rag washing to get the stuck on stuff.

The structures were a little more difficult but I did get all the stuff off - eventually.  I tried to blow it off using canned air and that got most.  But like I mentioned, it stuck to the roof and some other parts.  Those areas needed a very careful damp rag cleaning.

I've also snowed up vehicles and had to follow up the blow off with a damp rag cleaning.

BTW: I do think it has a nice snow look.  Some of the glittery/shiny specks that others recommended would help - I've never done that step (out of not knowing).

- walt

Scenic express sells snow in their scenery section. I have used it and it is the most realistic I have used or seen. It work very well and come up very easily when done.

Dave