Custom snow plow part/Christmas layout.

[ripley802]

Hello all. I know it is only July, well close to August, but I am looking into building a Christmas layout with Trackmaster/Tomy. I have a couple questions I am hoping you guys may have some thoughts on.

So I am thinking about making some custom snow plows for a few duplicate trains I have (Thomas, James, Gordon, Percy, and a few others). Ideally the plows would be removable, but since these are duplicates and extras, they could be permanent. My thought in making these would be to get some PVC piping. Cut a section at and angle, then cut it in half, finally matching the halves to make the plow. Do you think this will work? Any other thoughts on making these?

I was thinking someone posted something about snow plows but I could not find it.

Also for the Christmas layout, I and thinking it adding some red/green LED's that I picked up. And maybe using the idea @nigel had of the "texture spray paint" but in white to look like snow on some extra track and buildings.

Let me know if anyone has any advice and or comments. Thanks for the help.

I'm liking the idea of white textured paint to be used as snow, never thought of that myself. Mind you maybe another option may be that spray on snow stuff you normally get at Christmas? That seems to stick to everything, but at the same time is ultimately (usually) removable. So you could maybe use it to decorate some rolling stock/buildings also...

[Super]

Interesting...can't wait to see what you come up with.

[ripley802]

Well here is the first couple pictures of the layout. I have taken down most of the other layout including all of the TMR sets except the holiday cargo delivery set. I still have some additional things to do but here is the basic layout. Thoughts? Also am thinking of getting some molding supplies to try making some plastic parts, ie.. Snow plows from a snow clearing James I recently picked up. Some of the thins in the set are regular Christmas decor, but helps blend things I think.

[Super]

Looking good Ripley. Preparing quite early for the Holidays I see. I like the Xmas Tree spiral.

[ripley802]

Looking good Ripley. Preparing quite early for the Holidays I see. I like the Xmas Tree spiral.

Yeah I love the Christmas holiday so I figured I would get started. Hoping to add a bit more, and starting early there is more times to add and remove.

[Super]

How about some strings of twinkling Xmas LED lights, maybe even under the snow blanket or along the girder bridge. The LED lights I think would be safer as they don't heat up. They even have battery operated ones.

[ripley802]

How about some strings of twinkling Xmas LED lights, maybe even under the snow blanket or along the girder bridge. The LED lights I think would be safer as they don't heat up. They even have battery operated ones.

Yep, that is one of the additions hopefully. I will update soon.

[ripley802]

Well I made a few more additions, no led's yet though. Although I did add some lighting (red/white and red/green) to a few Annie/Clarabel coaches that were missing their faces..

Anyway here we go..

[Super]

Looking good Ripley

How did the Annie and Claribel coaches with lights turn out. Do the ceramic Xmas buildings and snow mountain have lights too?.