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!
These model train videos are extremely expensive to make. The trains you see in this video cost in excess of $5000 and I'm sure my entire collection cost in excess of $15,000. Each one of the locomotives cost approximately $1000, each rail car about $200, and each foot of track about $7. The cost of the cameras and production equipment is another factor. If you enjoyed this video, please consider becoming a patron of this channel to help fund the addition of even more model train equipment for future videos. Even a commitment of just $1 per month will help, if enough viewers participate. For more information on becoming a patron, go to / jimzim
#trainvideos

[@RealFuturePictures]

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

[@Snanps_Baldimore]

Especially the thumbnail, though it was real till I saw the title

[@perkinshomestead]

We just recently found you KZbin 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.

[@JimZim]

Thanks! I'm glad you found me! After you've watched a few more of my videos, you'll laugh about the comment that you liked the one with all the trains set up in my house. You'll soon see that there are about 50 that fit that description!

[@aidandobrinski4098]

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

[@crazytrain525]

Shoveling off the tracks is cheating! Buy a couple more of those WhitePass Loco’s and it’ll push the snow then lol Nice video!

[@newmanbirchfield2632]

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

[@bgfish5290]

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.

[@fredtedstedman]

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

[@courtneykappel370]

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!

[@GingerZombie29]

That timing was just the biggest chef's kiss.

[@jaredstow9011]

I respect this a simple man just doing some train experience

[@jaredrubin7843]

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

[@thomascomeau9271]

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!

[@thomascomeau9271]

You, Jim Zim, should definitely have a rotary snowplow for your G scale model trains to keep the tracks clear of snow! Maybe you should definitely get video of your G scale model trains plowing snow next year. As always, I am Thomas Comeau and I will see the replies from you, Jim Zim!

[@benszone1879]

Thank you so much for this video! It’s always so cool to hang on the side of the Santa Fe and fret that the camera will hit the passing train!

[@Trainman-cw1zl]

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

[@emilyemm8460]

Jim Zim, you bring so much joy to my four year old’s life. He’s been train obsessed since he was old enough to show interest in anything & we always come back to your channel. Just wanted to let you know 🙂 Have a great day!!

[@mtatransitfannermj8369]

Your model has gone through some adventures

[@UDoIt2]

How appropriate! Watching now

[@MATTHH123]

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

[@valeriebassett3107]

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

[@christopheredwards788]

This is a great video. I love snow and trains.

[@Michipicoten]

Yes

[@leohoward7282]

Kudos Jim for your simulated communications.

[@JimZim]

In my first draft of the video, there weren't any dispatcher communications. As I was watching the video, it just struck me that it would be more fun with some dispatcher transmissions that would explain why the trains were slowing down or speeding up. Hopefully, people will enjoy that!

[@leohoward7282]

@@JimZim oh I'm sure they will Jim I certainly did.

[@raildevblx6061]

Can feel the rust from here haha! Nice!

[@joshbarnett5785]

When places got heavy snow,the railroad would get out a rotary snow plow that would help clear snow off the train tracks,my favorite ones are the ones with the big fan like blades in front of them.

[@JimZim]

There's actually a G-scale version of those... but it's super expensive... something like $3000, I think... so, I won't be buying one!

[@Dakota3988-s7v]

Can watch this all day, Great Job Jim Zim!

[@JimZim]

At 23 minutes long, it almost seems like the video goes on all day! ha ha ha

[@jayjoy4884]

Yes

[@hobbycow5346]

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

[@michaelsummers2561]

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

[@BMMEC6000]

Aw I really wanted to see the train plowed track but either way it looked cool

[@thehumanspet10]

Yes

[@SodorBrony]

While plowing snow isn’t an option. I suppose now, you could even get Thomas his own snowplow from Bachmann. Even if he doesn’t like wearing it!

[@jazzygordon8375]

So cool literally 😁❄️❄️🌨️🚂🚂🚂🚂

[@wtfwtfwtf7477]

G scale is just a fantasy here in Australia unless you have more money than sense (cents haha)$ Really enjoy your videos Really great videography. Thanks for sharing.

[@silverfox9948]

The snow did infact make really cool scenery. After all, trains run all year long. Great video.

[@devvydoesstuff]

Just came but I can already tell it’s going to be awesome

[@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.

[@alphaone3704]

Bloody beautiful set up

[@antonyproductionsiii2339]

A great first video of your model trains in the snow at your Washington State house

[@jacesjams9238]

You are my favorite KZbinr and this is so cool

[@jkuntz667]

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.

[@anpanman555]

雪の日、面白いですね～🇯🇵

[@sableveil]

That snow would melt causing the track to get wet, right? Meaning the locos wouldn't run, I think.

[@maureenkoopman9378]

G scale trains are made to be outdoors

[@bigmoneykeller2781]

Love your videos

[@davidbacha412]

Great job bro

[@carlavision6143]

Really enjoyed your awesome and cool train video and loved it!

[@lionking8588]

Very cool! I love this

[@thunderturbine8860]

Looks awesome Jim 🙂

[@ricardocruz7811]

Wow so cool!!

[@ka1133]

A great video ... especially on my larger iMac screen. I definitely am looking into the G scale trains for my grandson ... although he has a few years to go yet. But granddad might just have to "try them out" for a few years until he's old enough for them. :)

[@wasteofspace20]

I love me some Zim, forever the Zim meister in 2024!

[@GingerZombie29]

The radio chatter makes it even better.

[@JimZim]

Thanks! I thought that would be fun. I'm glad you appreciated it!

[@markf350s]

Something interesting to make would be a little trolley with four wheels and a plow in the front where as you could plow just a pathway enough like a real snow thrower would do one real tracks to give the appearance of the train haven Plowed the tracks but either way thank you for sharing I like the video good job

[@markf350s]

What I forgot to say it would be to push it through the track by hand to cut the swath through the snow then run the train good day

[@Gscaler]

Looks great 👍😊

[@jonnieinbangkok]

You need to get one of those locomotives with the snowblades on the front 🥶🥶🥶

[@TonyLasagna]

Great video! Looks super realistic going through the snow cuts, great drone footage as well!

[@nicholasjohnson6133]

You should consider looking for a good snowplow car. Put that in front of a couple consisted engines and you should be able to slowly push the snow off.

[@VintageRenewed]

You would have needed to double or triple head locomotives if you wanted them to plow through snow. Keep in mind that it is seen multiple times that for full size railroads need to use multiple locomotives while plowing snow especially while using a Jordan spreader, a separate plow or a rotary plow

[@angelacrawford3173]

Very nice 👌 👍 👏 😀

[@jayjoy4884]

In Thomas and friends I love Toby and Edward In Thomas and friends Which engine you like

[@theeverythingkid]

James and Edward

[@ericw4101]

What an amazing train set collection you have here sir! I really enjoyed watching it!

[@trainzguy2472]

I got a kick out of the near-misses at the diamond!

[@1983lassygenevra]

This is cool! We are about 3 hrs away from you in Idaho and my kids like that it's snowing there too.

[@joineliverpool752]

awsome video

[@DanielLukeFields]

what would be neat is a heater car you could run that melted the snow.. again maybe im thinking of stuff that has been done..

[@railway187]

Really cool 👍

[@rogerpeter8476]

I love your videos so much Jim Zim!!!!!!!!!!

[@JimZim]

Thank you! I've got a really good model train video (for kids) coming out tomorrow... so, be sure to check that out tomorrow.

[@BossSpringsteen69]

I tried the same experiment in HO scale with three feet of Atlas flex track on my window ledge two stories above ground. I let the snow cover the rail overnight, tried to plow the next day and, discovered that it doesn't take much snow to cause wheel slip and, stall a locomotive. That was well over 27 years ago.

[@gamerjosh5686]

I'd say a rotery plow could be a good investment

[@JeffCKeane]

Would be very interested to see a working model actually "blow" the snow away!!

[@Shunn3d]

Part of why I never set up outdoors was this even though I have seen others in my snowy state do outdoor lines.

[@sirhilsam]

Bro...your camera work is brilliant! Why it is your videos make me wanna kick back on the porch, sip some late evening tea and enjoy the sunset?

[@dennisgembutis6228]

Awesome very nice layout

[@duanemunger5655]

I love your videos

[@rick1716]

Great video ! Too bad the trains could not clear any of the snow off the tracks. Would have been entertaining. But the snow did look pretty heavy and wet.

[@Runawayrack]

1:52 is really satisfying

[@dimasrf7969]

Hello i'm from indonesia i realy like this video and greetings from Indonesia too

[@evanlowe5355]

Love your Chanel

[@thetransportationguy7930]

Buy a scale model snow plow. The snowblower ones. If you can’t find one. You can create a custom built snowblower.

[@atmakali9599]

Brilliantly filmed ❤

[@sarahpatterson5561]

So cool

[@shawnakillgore2325]

I impressed

[@YoFridayGamer]

Lol If only i could have done that in my tx back yard, just had no power :

[@Michipicoten]

OMG! WOW!

[@702ringo1]

Jim, I love your videos. I’m just beginning my journey into the world of electric trains. I’m not sure what size I want to get but the size trains that you have look just about right for me. Keep posting these amazing videos-I love them!🚂

[@datguymiller]

From my understanding you should start with O or OO/HO, O is big and durable but more expensive, OO/HO is cheaper and smaller so they're easier to store and run but break easier

[@B-RI_shelton]

I love it

[@aphotographerfromcaliforni2661]

A huge plow and double/triple heading or a rotary snowplow would help fend off the snow

[@kayick5537]

I think it would be best if you got tongues in Percy and the other Thomas and Friends train snow plows like the ones I see in the episodes

[@jinipworld3804]

Nice n Cool. I Enjoyed. Great Video

[@medwaymodelrailway7129]

Enjoy the video will watch again

[@jackhack1972]

Very nice

[@bloba4443]

Next time you should make a consist of all your locomotives, it will look weird but it may be able to plow through the snow

[@Nfaut29]

As the many KZbin videos of your trains I have watched, I must have missed this one. You need the LGB snow plow in front of the engine. I used to run my diesel engine RS3, in the snow with an Aristo craft snow plow in front. I think LGB makes a good one with spinning blades throwing the snow to the side.

[@brandonharris7516]

Wow

[@brickswithbreakwell9210]

My uncle has some g gauge model trains at his house. :) I love your videos p.s I have 00 gauge

[@rl-3329]

It’s snowing Right here

[@jaywalker2482]

Awesome but it's funny I found this after one of the worst snow storms in the last twenty years, in California.

[@northtexastrainzfan3081]

awsome

[@mattmills1108]

My birthday is in two days And you are a good KZbin orYou deserve more

[@thatdude1207]

Cool

[@tylermorro6663]

Clever title👍🏻😂😂

[@derekwhite9932]

Maybe gotta keep the mainline open... Lol Cool video.

[@endogamer9861]

This feels like the polar express movie

[@WasatchRailfan125]

I hope you can run the white pass that has the ticking sound I like it.

[@thecarpetman7687]

Have to say that is cool

[@TonyLasagna]

Also, you should check out the G scale working rotary plow, or build a wedge!