The best way to make a snow layout?

Andrew:

There are lots of choices to create a snow effect. For starters I would suggest that you look at the 2013 Christmas layout thread that will show you what many have done.

I test Woodland Scenics' snow on several FasTrack sections and like the result.

I love your work, Keith!  I'll be looking into that and adding it to my own FastTrak.

I use my process here: Winter Railroading - Hickory Creek, NY

Sorry for all the photos!

Thanks,

- Mario

Mario,

Don't be sorry for all the photos!  They are great!  Your snow looks really good!  I really like the wet look on the streets where the snow has melted.  It better not get too cold tonight or that will all turn to ice!

get a bag of fine perlite. it is super cheap & sells in 4 cubic feet bags, AND it is nonflammable! 

http://www.pvpind.com/Horticultural-Perlite.aspx

AWESOME JOB (as always) Keith, but what happens when the inevitable "Spring Thaw" comes with the change of season? Looks like winter on the tracks all year long (not a bad thing).  

Last Christmas I went fast and cheap. Bought a bag of Quilt batting from Wal-Mart.

Unfold / unroll to max area and it's about 1/4" thick and looks like snow from a few feet away.  Toss a wadded up piece of paper under it for a snowbank.

Also hides the wires on the floor if needed. Mine was up an a couple 6' folding tables.

I've always used Department 56 "Fresh Fallen Snow" and think it looks great. 

With that said, there are several cons to using fresh fallen snow. First, it tends to be more on the messy-side, as in my experience, it sticks to everything. Also, it costs $7.50 for 7oz which could get expensive depending on the size of your layout. 

I've never tried securing the snow onto the layout, as I use it only on the seasonal Christmas layout, as opposed to the permanent. While it has never caused issues with the Polar Express, I might be more hesitant to place it near the track if I had the more expensive trains running.

Despite the disadvantages, I still think the overall appearance outweighs the negatives in my opinion. 

I've attached a link to last year's Christmas layout, in which I used the fresh fallen snow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glLM_PjMN-Y

Hope this helps. 

I used baking soda for this shoot. Don

Battens, woodlands sprinkled. Greg

Ground styrofoam works good for non permanent layout. If you have plastic buildings, pour it on the roof and where it settles makes it look realistic. It also does not lay flat so you get high and low areas like drifts. Use a soft paint brush to brush out of areas you don't want it. When the holidays are over, vacum it up.

I used a combination of materials and techniques. Canned insulation for rocks, caulking for snow piles on the side of the road, paint and then some fine snow sprinkled over the drying paint. For the look of a road with traces of snow I put down caulking over a gray painted road, then spread and scraped it with a piece of cardboard. 

Timothy,

Looks mighty good!!  I can really see what you mean about the road in this photo.  A very good snow scene.

These are all great looking snow scenes.  It shows excellent results can be had using a variety of materials and methods!!

We use the loose snow in a bag and sprinkle on the buildings at the Ocean County Club every year and vacuum it off after the season. we had quite a few problems with it getting into the gearing of the engines so it is not used near the tracks any more.

Nice Winter scenes, I went to get my snowshoes & then realized it's 80 deg outside.