Re: Snow plows, geared locomotives and rod locomotives

I have some experience in this subject. If one is shoving a wedge plow, speed is necessary to: A. Throw snow farther from the track so it doesn't fall back under the equipment and B. so there is enough momentum to get through a long drift. The problem comes if there is ice across the tracks or there is an enormous amount of snow on one side of the centerline and not on the other. You risk either rolling a rail or the snow torqueing the plow off the track.
If one is shoving a Jordan spreader a slower speed is necessary so the operator has time to adjust the wings and flanger for conditions. Hence, most were referred to as "snow dozers".
When we used multiple engines (which was usually) we would operate from the 3rd or 4th unit so we could get out of the cab if necessary. The engines become completely covered in ice and the horn must be constantly blown to keep it clear. It was not unusual for us to plow at 30mph.
I have plowed at slow speed with 6 axle diesels and basically the snow/ice forms a "snow" plow on the front of the engine. I would regularly stop where the drift was the height of the cab window so the Conductor could climb out and shovel off the front cab wall so we could see! JP

The Dee Brown railroad motto: Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/13/2017 05:50PM by jim pallow.