SnowVid-19: Big Model Trains In The Snow!

A pandemic (of snow) struck at my house... so, let's call this video "SnowVid-19"!

When I saw snow in the forecast, I left some model train tracks set up on the patio in my back yard so that they would get covered in snow. I was hoping to be able to shoot some video of my trains plowing the snow off the tracks. That turned out to be easier said that done, as we got a lot of snow... and when the trains ran in to the piled up snow, it was like running in to a brick wall. After a few attempts to get my "model trains plowing snow" video, I finally just gave up.

The next day, I awoke to find that more snow had fallen and we now had a total of six-and-a-half inches of snow... way to much for model trains to deal with. So, I shoveled the snow off the tracks, and ran my White Pass & Yukon Route diesel locomotives in a double-header configuration on the layout as snow continued to fall. The weather was lousy and not very conducive to having fun playing outside with model trains, so I gave up for another day.

Another three-and-a-half inches of snow fell that night and that meant the next day there was ten inches of snow in my back yard! Once again, I shoveled the snow off the tracks... but this time I also tried pouring warm water from the hot tub on the tracks, and that worked extremely well at clearing all the snow and ice. Finally, conditions were right for some serious model train runs!

I had my White Pass diesel train and my Santa Fe Super Chief running on parallel tracks. I think the video is really interesting to watch, especially as one train passes the other.

Most of the video was shot with a GoPro attached to the trains. A few scenes were shot with my DJI drone.

Hopefully, things will be much warmer the next time I shoot a model train video in my back yard!

#trainvideos

[RealFuturePictures]

Some of these camera angles make the trains look life-sized, pretty astounding.

[perkinshomestead]

We just recently found you YouTube channel and we love it! My 2 year old grandson is already in love with trains and we love watching your videos. We have a lot to catch up on. We especially liked the one with all the trains set up in your house. Your wife is a saint! I am a wife too, so I don't say that about every woman. Anyway, your voice is so calming, which is another reason why I think everyone loves to watch you. You bring it down to a kid's level, but adults love it too. I have to say, you remind me of Mr. Rogers. Most everyone knows who that is. And I think he loved trains too. God bless you for the fun and enjoyment you bring to so many people, young and old.

[jaredrubin]

me and my dad had a little track in our den, it was had the drops to put in so smoke would come out of the stuff .. and we had a red caboose ....I loved all of them we were not technical like had a switch to change train went thru a little we had cool cars as well all we had was a huge piece of plywood. so we never expanded.

[mtatransitfannermj]

Your model has gone through some adventures

[aidandobrinski]

I don’t think the name of the video is getting enough love “SnowVid-19” I love it lol

[bgfish]

Across the pond in the UK my son and I love your videos. He says you have a very calming voice. Thank you and keep them coming.

[leohoward]

Kudos Jim for your simulated communications.

[michaelsummers]

I love your video's so much Jim Zim! it makes me want to set up my Bachman trains.

[Trainman-cwzl]

I love the White Pass locos and the horn and when you play with the horn

[valeriebassett]

Great video. Looks like you got as much snow as we got . Thanks for sharing. Stay warm. ❤️

[hobbycow]

Cool video! I've seen garden trains with snow blowers..they got the job done...lol.

[thomascomeau]

Whoa, the biggest snowstorm of the year hits Jim Zim's house in Washington state in February of this year!

I never see anything like that in California!

The snowstorm is called SnowVid-19, because it is a pandemic of snow.

It is like the snowstorm in Blake Edwards' The Great Race in 1965.

The snowfall was 10 inches in February!

Good thing you have a yardstick to measure the snowfall!

The snow made the Spruce trees look beautiful and also did a great job of burying the Zim sign of Zim's Corner!

[MATTHH]

Great video Mr JimZim...the Santa Fe “my favorite” and the white pass train look good running on the track with the snow around them...stay warm

[newmanbirchfield]

That is pretty sweet. Nice setup, it brought back some childhood memories. Thank You for sharing..

[fredtedstedman]

loving this Jim ! snow adds a new dimension doesn't it ? just mesmerising to watch .😍😍

[courtneykappel]

Loved the perfectly timed crossover! Thanks for sharing! When I was a kid I’d set up my trains in the snow and even build snow tunnels. G scale trains make snow more fun!

[jaredstow]

I respect this a simple man just doing some train experience

[jkuntz]

The horn sounds are just awesome. As one commenter already said your angles make is seem like you are going through snow covered passes. Thank you for sharing.

[West_Cascade_Rail]

Very cool! I live in the puget sound area, and that snow storm was fun! I'll have a snowplow video out on my channel soon too.

[Dakota-sv]

Can watch this all day, Great Job Jim Zim!