Rotary on the Silverton Branch

Some additional information provided by Jerry Day on the use of Rotaries on the Silverton Branch. Only used twice. Most interesting account though:


"Historical note, rotary snow plows have only been used two years on the Silverton…. RGS 2 in 1916 and OM in 1929.
 
Durango Herald Democrat
February 4, 1929
Silverton Branch Blocked by Biggest Snow Slide in History of the Road Which Ran Sunday
The Silverton branch of the D&RGW is blocked today by what is declared to be the deepest snow slide that has ever covered the tracks in the Animas valley since the road was built. The slide ran yesterday and is reported to be 800 feet wide and from 10 to 75 feet in depth.
The avalanche came down at Needleton, mile post 482, about ten miles south of Silverton. This slide runs every year, according to information given the Herald Democrat, but this is the first time the railroad tracks have been covered.
A work train with two engines and a rotary, left Durango at noon today carrying about thirty workmen.
It is understood an attempt will be made to use the big rotary in clearing the snow from the track, although this is more or less an experiment as this is the first time a rotary has been placed in service of this kind since 1916, and due to the great depth of the snow the outcome is said to be problematical."



Thanks Jerry for the great and informative information.

William
aka drgwk37



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/08/2017 10:01AM by drgwk37.