Re: Alamosa April 5 1937 - use of Priest flangers

Jimmy Blouch Wrote:
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>
> I would say they were probably always in use
> whereever needed. > The statement "bad flange" refers to the >condition of the track prior to and after trains travel over
> that section, even with the use of Priest flanges.
> There would be so much snow on the outside of the
> rail that the snow would roll back, or be blown
> back, on the track behind the train. Eventually
> it would be necessary to run a flanger, spreader,
> or rotary train to clear out the snow.
>
> Jimmy

Thanks Jimmy. I can't find any reference in the D&RGW rule book regarding deployment of the pilot Priest flangers but I would think they would be prone to having the flange cutters ripped off if they were not lifted in time for track obstructions, (especially in poor visibility conditions). I understood one of the benefits of having the two daily San Juan's run was to help keep the track clear in winter so that a special flanger train would not be required unless severe conditions warranted. However in reviewing photos it looks like the pilot flangers were perhaps not in use in later years as I don't see the indicator rod/ diamond flag that showed the engineer the blade position. I thought I recalled seeing a photo of one in use on the D&S K-28's on the winter special but perhaps it was a figment of my imagination...