Re: Diesel Rotaries

The December (I think) Trains Magazine has a special on modern day Rotaries and other snow fighting equipment. It was quite an interesting read. Basically all of the other operating rotaries besides the two UP units, are ex steam rotaries that use either converted B units or I think GP28s on the BN to provide power to the Rotary's traction motors to spin the wheel. The Donner based SP rotary's B units also provide steam for de-icing.

The UP rotaries are home build and have a power plant inside them so only have to be pushed. This is all from memory but I know atleast one of the UP's two rotaries are based out of Cheyenne and the UP Steam crew is actually its operating crew.

In response to David, I know when the SP ran the Rotaries over Donner, a 'super set' was a Rotary and its B unit, four SD40T-2s and another B unit and rotary facing backwards. I think I have seen recent pictures of UP using the same set up with 4 AC units the last time they went out. When they were used on the plains I think both the BN and UP use one rotary with usually two AC units (as in AC4400CW or something like that).

Brian Jansky
Houston, Tx
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2011 08:34PM by BrianJ.