Large Scale Central

Practical tips for running in the snow

General Discussion
#1

So… this was my layout this weekend:

Which obviously looks really nice, and I was going to try and run trains… So using a kid’s narrow plastic snow shovel, I cleared the track and then used my pole cleaner to make a lap around the outer loop and get of a bit of the oxidized brass so I could run some sparkies. Unfortunately, there was still some ice/snow/oxidization and I basically couldn’t get even an analog LGB loco with powered tender to make it around without a lot of stopping. I gave up after a single loop (admittedly partly because it was 12 degrees with 20mph wind).

Anyone have any tips for clearing snow/ice for a running session after it snows? How about one of those camping hair dryers that’s powered by butane on a “snow melter” car?

#2

Allow your locomotive to aclimatize to outdoor temperature, prior to operation. That alleviates most icing problems. Takes about an hour, especially for the wheels.

#3

What about a “rail kleen” unit with coarse scotchbrite? Reindeer pass sells them

That might do the trick, both clearing snow and ice and taking a bit of oxidation away.

Greg

#4

My tip for running in the snow. Wait till it warms up and the snow melts…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#5

Consider getting an inexpensive live steam engine eg Ruby

#6

I use a spade to clear the tuff snow … I go real slow and the shovel tip just rides the rails and cleans below the rails, take note of your switches … Let your engine get just as cold as your track … My engines sit in a tunnel … I too will use a pole sander …or my LGB track cleaning loco to polish up the rails …

#7

Ken Brunt said:

My tip for running in the snow. Wait till it warms up and the snow melts…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

Ken is the sane guy in this thread. (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#8

Get a good well set up snow plow and a multi axle loco with pick ups on all the axles. Oh, and keep an eye on the weather reports and prep the line before it snows.

#9

Max Winter said:

Get a good well set up snow plow and a multi axle loco with pick ups on all the axles. Oh, and keep an eye on the weather reports and prep the line before it snows.

Max,

Videos posted to this site require an https:// address. I added an S to yours

#10

I use live steam so i dont know about conductivity but plowing is fun! I have had best fun with light powdery cold snow. Definately try to let your wheels get good and cold. Once you get melted water on cold rails you will have ice and spinning drivers…ever stand next to a real steamer spinning on ice? Wow! Also think about scale snow depth. Two or more engines are often helpful.

Fresh fallen slightly wet snow often plows well too, sometimes the rails are not cold enough to ice up. But the snow will clump together in front of the plow.

#11

If you have ice on the rails or the snow is too heavy, wet or iced plowing is near impossible. The best is a few inches of light and fluffy.

As others have mentioned you must acclimate your equipment to the cold. Track prep is also important. I walk my line before the storm removing debris and using a scotchbrite pad on a pole sander since I am track power. I do have one battery RC engine, a RS3 that I had hoped would be enough to plow but I don’t think it has enough weight/power to push the wedge plow or rotary through the drifts especially up my grades.

I have used 2 USAT engines with success. The last time it snowed I tried my leaf blower with mixed results.

When plowing snow you need the right kind of snow, acclimated equipment with enough power and sometimes it still doesn’t work out when we ask our model trains to move full scale snow.

#12

Great video Todd! (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#13

Best advice I can give is to try and avoid this…

Some days it’s just better to stay inside (https://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)

#14

Yeeouch Jon. Derailments happen, hope nothing was damaged. I have had my wedge plow fall off the trestle, jackknife like yours did and my rotary has picked up junk that clogged it.

The potential for breaking equipment is high when plowing and that is why I use my diesels and not my more detailed steamers to plow.

#15

My rotary has no handles or windows ( stickers that look like windows ) so it will not get hung up on things …

Also make sure your switch stands are removed or moved way back out of harms way… (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

#16

Sean,

Good tips.

#17

Snow removal equipment for the ER&I. It was recently moved to the shop for installation of spreader wings.

However, most of the crew spends the winter in Cancun, so the RR basically shuts down for the winter. Maybe next year

they’ll hire a better shop crew.

#18

John Bouck said:

However, most of the crew spends the winter in Cancun, so the RR basically shuts down for the winter.

Smart crew!..(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-cool.gif)

#19

Steve Featherkile said:

Allow your locomotive to aclimatize to outdoor temperature, prior to operation. That alleviates most icing problems. Takes about an hour, especially for the wheels.

+1

#20

A good heavy plow with MUed units going at Lionel speed works. However it all depends on the type of snow. Light and powdery is the best.