Wednesday 6 January 2010

Snow Is Falling, All Around Me...


Hi all and here is my 2nd post of 2010! Today, as nearly all of us in the UK saw, it was snowing! Where we were in fact, it was snowing very heavily from about 10:30am. Therefore, it was a MUST to go out and try and run some trains in the garden! After clearing the main line using a diesel shunter + a plough, I began to realise just how fast the snow was falling. (The track was being re-covered more and more every second!). Anyway, I managed to get it clear and a single train operation began. I must admit, I found it much more enjoyable sitting in the warm house enjoying a hot cuppa' whilst looking out the window at the train going round the garden! As the snow continued to fall, I decided to try and film some of the operations with my new JVC Camcorder. Therefore, the resulting video, made up of a small selection of clips, can be viewed above. Later, I attempted something a little different...A 'Train Ride' video! This video, using the age-old method of connecting the camera to a railway wagon, can be seen below...
As it was so cold, no buildings were laid out and no extra locomotive's/rolling stock can be seen in the garden (apart from the odd few wagons buried in the solid snow-drifts...look out for those by the way!). The video takes us on a full circuit, at a steady pace, of the whole railway. However, apart from the main line, every other part of the railway is buried with snow so is 'blocked from view' somewhat! I hope you all enjoy both of the video's. The only thing I would say is that its just a shame it didn't snow like this on Christmas Day! Following the running, the locomotive used, Bachmann Small Prairie 2-6-2 No4560, was cleaned and put away safely. Surprisingly, the snow & frost didn't seem to obscure the running at all! Thanks for reading folks. Evening All...

2 comments:

Petensue said...

Hi Sammy
Good video. If it snows again, its promised this weekend it would be great to see the diesel + snowplough doing the snow clearance.
It also looks as if the tree surgeons will need to be employed to trim around the line in the near future.
Regards
The Graduate

Sam Brandist said...

Thanks Peter! The snow clearing is very much an unusual operation. Bascially, my 08 diesel ploughs through the snow, wheel-slipping and all sorts, pushing it aside as it does so. Then, on each circuit made, an extra snow that had fallen was slowly pushed out of the way. Simple stuff! The wheels on the loco later froze! The tree surgeons, in the form of my 'helpers', will be on hand around March time to trim the trees, plant new plants and give a general tidy up. The railway is my baby, the catering and gardening for it are in other departments! =) Best wishes, Sam.