Schneeweiler - A Z scale winter layout

[fshbwl]

Hello everybody,

I wanted to share a few photos of my recently finished Z scale winter layout. It's titled "Schneeweiler" (Snowville) and was built for the purpose of bringing a bit of model railway joy into the living room during Christmas season and to be stowed away during the rest of the year.

Cheers,

Chris

[MK]

Whoa!!!!   

[dem34]

I'm always a fan of simple but well executed.
That snow is a particular standout.

[dnhouston]

Very Nice

[davefoxx]

^ What they said.  Excellent!

DFF

[GaryHinshaw]

Wow!!  So much to admire here.  The twisting road up the mountain really stood out to me.  Thanks for posting!

[nickelplate759]

For me what stands out is the snow - not just the apparent texture of it, but the fact that it is in all the right places.  For example, the little piles in the center of the platforms, between lanes of the road or near the buildings where someone or something would have pushed it out of the way, or snow that slid off of a roof.   Also, and even more so, the way there is a light dusting of snow/ice on the roads, walks and platforms even where someone would have cleared it.    The location of the snow implies activity.      Amazing!

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I really like the snow on the roofs, and how it's not completely uniform.

[fshbwl]

Thanks for the positive feedback!

Some of you commented on the snow and modeling a convincing looking snowy landscape was actually the biggest challenge with this build. This is my first winter layout and I therefore started with using commercially available snow paste and snow flakes. I quickly realised, however, that this did not produce the natural look I was after. Firstly, the consistency of these materials is almost too coarse for 1:220 scale. Secondly, I did not like the glitter effect of the material.

After some experiments with other materials, I finally used a white and very light synthetic ready to use filler material from the DIY store. It can be easily mixed with water to any desired consistency and applied to the landscape with a spatula or brush, for small patches of snow also with a toothpick. Once applied and with a bit of extra water added with the help of a soft brush, the material spreads out naturally and dries quickly. With some patience, this technique produces very natural and organic looking snowy surfaces.

Cheers,

Chris

[fshbwl]

[sirenwerks]

For me what stands out is the snow - not just the apparent texture of it, but the fact that it is in all the right places.  For example, the little piles in the center of the platforms, between lanes of the road or near the buildings where someone or something would have pushed it out of the way, or snow that slid off of a roof.   Also, and even more so, the way there is a light dusting of snow/ice on the roads, walks and platforms even where someone would have cleared it.    The location of the snow implies activity.      Amazing!

This.  I especially like the tamped down icy walk areas and the footprints up the path next to the hunter.  Intentional or not, that's how it came off to me.  If I were to criticize any point it would be the roads, they're, IMO, missing the normal traces of snow, although there could be some many different paths to take with that.  Winter weather is hard to do, especially in smaller scales, and the only thing that pointed it out as a model to me (and it is hard to suspend my visual belief) was the lack of dry paths and wet spots on the roads, or tamped down snow, and run-off in the drainage.  It's still awesome and inspirational the way it is and it makes me want to buy a plane ticket, and then a train ticket...

[PJPickard]

I have come back to look at this many times in the last two days!

[Bob]

Really nice job!  I echo what others have said - just an amazing job with the snow!  Thanks for posting these wonderful photos!

[Dave V]

Sehr schön! Ich liebe es!

[keeper]

This is really wonderful!

Is there a siding in the tunnel as well? Or where is the Schienenbus coming from in the video?

Thomas