Re: flanger pix

Cool photo. Well, I have some experience with this type of plow. In 1997 we were doing a little charter in May after the rotary ran. Our train was to go the Osier and use the loop to make up a mid-train helper going back westbound through the snow. 484 was the helper engine from Chama to Cumbres and things went like clockwork. At Cumbres, as is normal, the helper went ahead light, and 497, the road engine pulled our freight toward Osier following a safe distance behind. We got to the big loop across from Osier and all the snow had not been eliminated, and a backhoe was trying to dig it out. 484 had no pilot plow but they tried to bust through so we didn't have to sit there and wait for hours, and after making good progress the snow won, as the pilot axel came off the rail.
Took a bit but after rerailing we finally got through the rest of it and made it to Osier.
All this video is in one called "First Train to Toltec" where you can see the plowing(flanger under the pilot which is depicted in your photo), the derail, and rerailing, etc.
Interesting apparatus that is probably made for lower snow amounts.
Greg
PS go to the web site if you want to see a preview showing the aftermath with snow all over the pilot and front of 484!!! Another C&TS Adventure!
[www.gregschollvideo.com]

Actually easier to go to youtube and type in the title