Clumps on the side of tracks or a road make sense to me.
Simon
Snow moved by human activity yes, naturally fallen snow, no.
Realistically modelling ploughed or otherwise disturbed snowfall would be a challenge. Worth doing if you can manage it but not easy.
An avalanche run out zone will have clumps…some as big as houses. When you try to ski over them it can get interesting…and the snow is so much colder than ambient air if the slide is recent…as in last night or while you were skiing in and now have to ski out. That’s another advantage of using skins in preference to wax.
They make sense to me too.
After over 40 years of photographing nature as a hobby, I can assure you she follows no man’s written rules.
If anyone wants to learn to model winter scenes realistically, the resources are in sites that specialize in military dioramas. Those guys really know how to use the natural elements to bring out the drama in a scene.
I saw this diorama in person at an IPM event. It was astounding.
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Anyway, most model railroaders, myself included, like to model fantasy, whether we admit it or not. My 1954 is a much more wonderful place than the real one.
Same with winter. We (generally) like Bing Crosby White Christmas scenes, not the hell on earth that horrid winter conditions can actually become.
The OP asked about how to model snow, not winter, and I think he got some very helpful responses for his goals. There is realy no point in discussing how realistic winter scenes can be modeled any further.
-Kevin
No, he stated it.
And then went on to ask about snow.
He even titles his thread “Snow Options”
Unless there are other factors at play.
Notice how the thickest ones in the center actually curve and not in parallel with the rest. Other factors at work when those formed.
Man! …Dem icicles sure are crooked Mike. Maybe Mother Nature didn’t want to follow the Spiker Claus and made it a little vinder out[(-D]
I think icicles can do whatever they want, just as model railroaders can model what ever they want[Y]
Things can get a little heavy sometimes and then not very straight[(-D]
Especially icicles[:-^]
I sure was saddened to hear about Garry. What a great guy and always so kind. That beautiful man and top-notch modeler will be missed around here, that’s for sure. My heart goes out to his loved ones
TF
LOL x LOL
Not fond of the icicles, especially that one with the blob at the bottom, and the snow on the tank seems kind of grainy. The foreground snow and branches is just perfection.
I’m guessing it’s 1/72 scale.
Ed
That armoured fighting vehicle is based on a Soviet T-34 chassis. I don’t know all the specifics of T-34 appliances, but the general knowledge of them is that there was not one single part that was optional. I have read war memoirs from Soviet soldiers in tank crews where the conditions inside of a T-34 were always worse than outside.
This picture actually shows what is the rear of the diorama. The model is 1/35 scale. There is not much snow on the actual vehicle body. Most of what is there is weathered and worn white-wash winter camoflage paint.
The front of the diorama has the crew outside of the vehicle looking off into the distance. The expressions on their faces tell that they are witnessing something terrible, but cannot get there to help because their vehicle is blocked by a fallen tree.
It is a very powerful scene.
-Kevin
It is the wind factor that makes the icicles go crooked.
True, a heat source can lead to icicles. But these can be from multiple sources, including a warm draft or an exposure to sun. In Canada, the February sun is usually sufficient to melt some snow on the south side of the building. When the sun goes down, the water freezes gradually and creates icicles.
I think the tank scene is perfect. I’ve seen many icicles form on cars that way.
Simon (who’s seen 52 winter seasons in Canada!)
I guess it was too cold to take pictures, then. I just did a search for “icicles on car”, and didn’t find anything close.
Ed
Anything with an edge on a car can become a base for an icicle.
https://www.alamy.com/a-icicles-with-snow-on-headlights-of-car-image330776357.html
Winter is NOT my favorite season…
Simon
Relax Ed, I got you covered[swg]
image courtesy of Matthew Bove
Thank God for defrost[(-D]
TF
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/17/science/why-icicles-look-the-way-they-do.html
If you really want to know why. The guy has a PhD in physics apparently. Icicles aren’t what they seem to be.
There are two anchor wells on the bow of this ship. The starboard well has, just to its right and above, as we look at it, a well-curved icicle. I wouldn’t call the tip of that fat one pointed down, with gravity, except in the broadest sense. It looks to be curved, scimitar fashion, toward the well.
Hi Speedtbee!
So sorry that your original post has morphed. I’d like to ask a question. Are you looking to create a “holiday/snow” scene or a prototypical “this is what the snow looks like after a few days” theme? One is very beautiful, “White Christmas-like” while the other more like Fine Scale Miniatures with the dirt and dinge of industrial life.
With the idea of a portable layout to take places, I think you would like a Christmas Card winter scene, however for any of us to make that assumption is incorrect. Let us know, and perhaps we can get back to your request.
I’m hoping we can truly answer your question simply.
Pretty good illustration of an icefall.
Also, why not to park at the waterfront during a winter storm.
Mitsubishi Evo maybe?
Heres a link to a parked and icicle trimmed passenger car (railroad)
Returning back to the topic of modeling snow:
The best snow I have seen was in a series of articles (circa late 90’s) in MR (previously mentioned in this thread). The modeler was Rand Hood and the snow and ice looked great.
A more recent snow modeler is Mike Confalone. He has some great looking snow on his layout as well.
One of my local modeling buddies had a great snow scene on his layout. He used plaster, paint and reflective crystals to give the snow that “sparkly” look. The snow did get dirty from time to time but he was able to keep it looking pretty good with a soft brush and vacuum cleaning every once in a while.
As with all extreme scenery techniques, I would practice first before the snowstorm hits the layout.
Guy
And do not upset the Household Authorities. [tdn]
David
Were I doing this and were I looking for a realistic look rather than a fairy tale look I’d be tempted to do an early snowfall or a late Spring thaw effect, keeping snow effects away from the track itself.
If the scenery is hilly or mountainous then start at the hilltops and work down.
In some dry areas there is an interesting phenomenon perfect for modelling. The tree line is reversed. Trees only grow on hilltops because they depend on winter snow accumulation for water reserves during the hot dry summers. There is only enough annual precipitation to grow trees because the snowmelt soaks in and is shaded by the trees. One environmental issue arises when you try to lumber those trees because once the tree cover is gone new trees won’t grow. Removing the shade dries out the ground and the snow melt runs away. So around here and in central BC dry country you see desert grass, sagebrush and scrub up to a certain level corresponding to the winter snow line and trees only above that line.
Yes, more of a “White Christmas” type scene. I do intend to use proper buildings on the layout, not gingerbread houses or Lemaxian structures, but I am aiming for the idyllic village covered by recent/ongoing snowfall look. Everything covered in at least a few inches of new snow. Should be easier to model that way too.
I think my next step is to just work out doing good snow coverage on a large area and for that I’ll pick up some white flat paint, white sparkles, and probably try some WS snow, and do some experimenting. Later I’ll work on getting the icicles to be pointed at appropriate angles