I am going to be part of private club that operates 2000 feet of G gauge track…
I want to get a G gauge snow plow or rotery snow plow.How long could it keep the tracks clean if it ran all night in a storm that dumps a foot or more of snow?
Sounds like you need a rotary plow. The answer is, how long do you dare keep it running?
Consider this about snow removal also: Conductivity won’t be the best, so you’ll want battery power if you can get it. You’ll also want very good tracking locos to push the plow, so I’d not settle for less than 6 axel units.
One other thought, as cool as trains removing snow for themselves is, it may be better to let it dump the snow and use a shovel.
Where will it be located?
CSX, some random thoughts;
The answer to your original question would be that it would keep the tracks clean until the next snow, since running it all night to keep the tracks clean would presumably mean that you succeeded in your venture.
As was stated previously, you WILL have conductivity problems, so you WILL have to use battery power. There is absolutely no escaping this fact. You’ll maybe get two to three hours run time on your battery, TOPS!
Also, if you will be running all night, I’ll assume that you will be up all night watching it clear the tracks as well. Should you by chance watch from inside and dose off and the battery runs down, you may or may not find your loco and plow the next day depending on how much of the remaining storm buries your equipment. (I had a forgotten boxcar spend three months under the snow last year).
If you run continuously, you won’t have problems clearing the snow unless you hit a patch or drift that is just too susbtantial for the loco to push it’s way through. If you run intermittently, this increases the chances of what I described above happening.
If your track is at ground level, you’ll definately need to use a snow thrower that has sufficient angle to clear a foot of snow. If you use a plow, you will eventually succumb to the overwhelming presence of the snow.
Good Luck and let us know what happens,
Mark
Well you have a good thought ,BUT.
Temp outside is what makes the difference.
I have started running my rotary when a storm starts, kept it going till the temp drops and then freezes the moisture on the rail head which slows and stops the locos that are pushing it.
Your best bet is a 12" plastic kids shovel and clear the line in the morning.
Lay a scrap wood over the switches so they don’t get iced up.
Ice is the issue.
Heavy wet snow after removed will also ice your rails up.
Have fun in the snow.
3" of light fluffy snow in 15 degree weather is the best time to run a plow or rotary.
After it crust over from midday sun, your back to another problem.
I can back this up with photos if need be.
Marty,
Please do post pictures. Not for the backing up purpose, but because I like your photos.
Yes that is something I think that we would all like to see.
As usual, Marty has the real concern, ICE. In this more moderate wet coast, when it starts snowing, I run a weighted Aristocraft butt plow that also has a small track cleaner pad mounted underneath. This gets away from the need for battery power, but with a butt plow, you need a lot of locomotive power! There is a video (needs a fast internet connection) at: http://railway.skeenapacific.ca/images/20050110-Plowingsnowshortsm.wmv and detail of the plow at http://railway.skeenapacific.ca/MOWexplained.htm. And please post the pictures, Marty. They are always interesting and informative (and sometimes artsy too)
I was unable to get your videos to open up.
Here in the ,“true” midwest , Ice storms many times come before the snow. It will coat your car windows and lock you in the car if your not careful.
I’ve measured it 1/8" thick on the rail head.
But its always fun to try.
The cold does not bother you because your so busy playing with the RR.
----Bumb site won’t let me paste----
this is why I don’t post too many photos on here any more, I have to type them all out.
Hey Marty dont stop posting your pictures cuz they are way too cool ! I know i’ve been inspired by them .
Fantastic again, Mr. Cozad. Positively awesome. Sorry about the video. I can get it to work here, but that doesn’t prove a thing. Maybe just go to http://railway.skeenapacific.ca, enter the site and go about halfway down the main page. If you do try again, and it still doesn’t work, please email me direct and I shall have to start digging (no pun intended). I know all too well about ice storms as I lived 600 miles north of here for nearly 25 years, where they, too, get a real winter, but I wasn’t trying to run trains in it! Thank you for taking the time to post those pics, as has been noted, they are inspirational.
got the video to work and it was COOL, but the “link” to build it didnt work with cut and paste. -edit- it worked when I drop the period… duh on my part.
I bought a aristo plow hope to make use of it this winter if the conditions are favorable (no ice 1st as is common here).
Hey there,
I always love to see Marty’s photos. If I can find the time I too would like to get a plow ready for Winter. The last few years we have had freezing rain and wet snow followed by a freeze. It is game over very quick when that happens. Sure would love to try! Later eh…Brian.
Brian for light snow I’d suggest this…
http://www.aristocraft.com/catalog/rollingstock/snowplow/images/46701-DRGW.jpg
Actually…has anyone tried to model snow sheds?
Running trains in the snow is FUN ! I throw a house brick on my Aristocraft plow and have at it . 
Vic,
I’m glad to see your sense of humour has not run dry! Think I’ll start with the light snow model. For heavy snow there is my indoor line. Later eh…Brian.
For somewhere in between, you might need this:
Marty;
Your pictures ALMOST make me wish I was back in Kansas, only to be able to mimic your photographic scenery.
Since I made the choice to move to warmer year round weather, I’ll have to be content to enjoy what ever photographic efforts you share with us.
Everytime I get a chance, I download your videos and pics to my hard drive and then move them over to DVD for future viewing on the “big screen” TV.
Thanks for all you share!!!