Creating Fog and Dust
by Greg Condio

     On my railroad, I like to occasionally create fog, steam and dust effects for photographic purposes using dry ice. It offers excellent possibilities for interesting pictures. Dry ice is used to package meats, produce and other frozen items when they are shipped by mail. It can be purchased at any meat packing company or manufacturing company where frozen products are shipped. (Look in the yellow pages or check one of the larger, independent food markets in your area.)
     When fog or steam is required for photos, I purchase five to ten pounds of dry ice. If you decide to use it, be extremely careful. Wear eye protection, long sleeves, gloves and have plenty of ventilation. It is extremely cold and can cause damage to your skin; avoid breathing the fumes.
     The first step is to have your camera ready. Compose the shot and set up the lighting and exposure. Put the dry ice in a metal pan next to the scene and very slowly pour hot water on it. Blow on the mixture and watch it perform for you. Take plenty of pictures, varying the amount of hot water and air over the ice.
     For the steel mill photo, I wanted to show steam and mist in the early morning hours just as the B&O crew begins switching coke in the yard. The scene is truly "Pittsburgh in the 1970's." The second photo shows the exhaust from the Chessie engine and a truck. The final photo shows a construction crew building a bridge and the dry ice looks like blowing dust and smoke. If you try this technique, you will create a unique scene on your layout.

RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN / DECEMBER 1999
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