Yeah, I got a GP40 out, and the plow yesterday. Finally got the chance to plow snow! Had to keep making a run at it though, as it was a tad deep, and lightly crusted over. Problems with rerailer/crossing section and on turnouts. Kept derailing. Despite adding a paving bring to plow for additional weight. And eventually, major power problems. Gave up shortly after that. Gotta check Moms camera, to see what kind of video and/or photos she managed. Nothing today, since I was gone most of the day. Slight chance tomorrow though, depending on how bad my foot is hurting, and how well I'm able to walk! Aside from cold, and problems, I had fun.
A few years ago, a fellow in Wisconsin did a video. Seems like it was a GP40 and and SD45, with push plow. Milwaukee Road, with some trolley poles along the tracks. Looked fantastic. Just like the real thing. If I ever was active in G, being able to stage such a scene would be one good reason that got me started. Boxcab E50
Fired up the GP40 and a couple of 2 bay covered hoppers to day and ran a short train for about an hour or so. Through the plowed track from yesterday. A bit cold, but not too bad. Enjoyed it. No photos today though. Gotta get the plowing photos and/or video from yesterday and get it posted!
Last December, ('09), I took my Christmas train out and after cleaning the snow away...ran it for a while....took some pics, and video. (pics on my other thread) Even though it was a relatively warm early evening.....about 25-30 degrees, and no wind....it still got pretty darn cold. My fingers and all were pretty stiff and cold at the end. While it was fun for that time, and purpose....I pretty much vowed not to do that again!!! lol The biggest problem I had was getting snow cleared off....it was too deep in most spots to be "scale, or realistic" and the train pretty much ran thru valleys of high snow! Oh well.......hopefully others can enjoy it more......but for me in the winter....Ill stick to the shelf layout indoors. D
Snow sheds Snow sheds......yup, that would work!!! Except, I would want one big enough to put over the WHOLE layout!!!! lollol D
Now, a Gazebo out front for train running would be nice! As long as I can include a portable heater!! And with MORE snow slated for Sunday/Monday, last I heard, I've got the opportunity to run another plow extra! Maybe more photo/video Monday night. Gotta get whatever Mom got this last time and get it posted. Oh well.........
I can just see it- Several feet of of white fluff on ground, and the railroad cannot be seen. Your G rotary plow whizzing away tossing snow, a neighbor walks by and stands there, scratching their head, trying to figure out what the heck is happening in your yard... A really fast and industrious gopher at work? Boxcab E50
But, what if locomotive(s) are full sound equipped?? Would have to ge some strange gopher at work then! Or would it be a gopher with other "problems"??
Tried a plow extra again today. Same results as yesterday. Plow derailed everywhere, even with a paving brick for additional weight. Even with 10 Foot Diameter curves! Jumped at turnouts and at single rerail section. As well as on a section of curve, for absolutely no reason. Eventually, track was plowed. But also not before swearing locomotives up and down, as they constantly stalled as well. Only started running fair, after track was clear. Gotta make sure I no longer plow snow. Way too many headaches!! Mom got photos and/or video. I don't know, since I have not seen/heard it. So, right now, I seriously doubt that Mom has anything.
Cool! That Santa Fe plow set is great! The Rio Grande one has me wondering. Those engines all appear to be EMD, but almost sound like GE? Boxcab E50
A short video by Mom, of plow attempt today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCPFD55VT-I And at least 1 photo of the attempt.
On the You Tube video comments, one of the guys said he had to clean the track the day before the snowfall, otherwise he would not be able to get his wheel pickup engines to work. Also there is "heavy" snow and "light" snow. If there is a lot of water content, it could really take a lot of power to move it. One of the You Tube videos had four six-axle engines pushing the plow. My two cents from snow-less South Texas.
Looks like I see the trouble- Your snow has a crust on it. Proof that we big boys still play with toys! Boxcab E50
May have a slight crust, but I can still get a single GP40 to plow. Looks a bit better with 2 units though! I think. I take a broom and sweep off my track, where I set my train up. Then, the train does the rest from there. As long as it runs! IF I try this again, I'm gonna have to try spraying PAM spray oil on the plow blade. As that might help it cut through the snow better. It helps keep snowblower chute free!
