Re: Snow Clearing The C&TS

The only time I ever tried serious snow-bucking was after the Rotary broke down in '95. The breakdown occurred just east of Los Pinos, which left the big drift at MP 323, plus whatever was hidden beyond toward Osier. The drift at 323 is against the hill and was 3 feet deep on the downhill side and above cab window height on the uphill side. We had 487 and 484 with us. We launched into the drift and it was like hitting a rock. Hard as concrete. We got about a 1/4 way into the drift, backing out and hitting it again. The snow was so hard that in backing out, the snow got behind 487's plow and bent it back over itself. It also tore the left arm rest and wind screen off the cab.

We retreated for the day.

Plan B was to take a small-ish dozer up there to remove the vast majority of the snow - down to 12" or so above the rail, and have 489's plow remove the rest. We figured by keeping a foot or so of snow on the track, there would be less damage to the ties. We ran to Cumbres, where the dozer was waiting. The dozer built its own ramp and got loaded on a flat. Off to 323 we went, unloaded the cat, and it went to work. A couple of hours later we charged forth with 489 to finish the job. Halfway through the drift, 489 spun to a stall, we backed up and hit it again, got another 50 feet and spun to a stall. This time 489 spun real hard. We got down to investigate. The dozer had packed the snow down to 12" of rock hard Ice. 489 had run up on it. The pilot truck was up on the ice. The drivers were still down, but the entire front of the engine was lifted a foot. The drivers had dropped down in the frame and the driver boxes were riding on the binders. This managed to loosen all the spring rigging to the point where the spring rigging on the front 2 drivers simply fell apart. 489 spun hard because half her weight was held up by 12" of ice under the plow....

So much for snow plowing. Note to Self: If you get a dozer out there, have it clear TO TOP OF THE RAIL.

We called the shop and had them send all the hydraulic jacks and port-a-powers, which came to 323 by motor car. We spent the rest of the day putting the spring rigging back together, getting back off the ice while the cat removed the rest of the snow. We loaded the cat, back to Cumbres when it was unloaded, turned on the wye and headed for home. Somewhere around Lobo Lodge - in the dark - there was a big bang up front. We stopped and found one of the spring hangers we had re-set had broken. It took 45 minutes to block the rigging up and get underway again.

I have pics of this, but the print collection is totally un-organized at this point. So, here are the Time Book entries:

Thurs May 18, 1995

in 800am

Work Extra 484 & 487

Eng 487 - Eng Knoob, Frm King
Eng 484 - Eng Coker, frm unknown

outfit car and 0503

487 runs backwards behind 484 to Cumbres so as to clear east leg of Cumbres Wye. After clearing wye and turning, 487 leads to MP 323.

Dp Ch 845am
Cu 1025am-1205pm clear wye, turn
MP 323 1230-235pm buck drift. Bent left side of plow, tore off left cab arm rest and wind screen.
Cu 258-332pm turn both engines, water
CH 440pm

Tie up 530pm.

Fri. May 19, 1995

In 800am

Work Extra 489

489 - eng Knoob, frm Coker

mty flat, outfit, 0503

Dp CH 857am
CU 1002-1037am water, load cat
water at Los Pinos
MP323 1100am - 605pm stuck in ice, spring rigging down.
CU 635-700pm - turn, water
MP 338 broken spring hanger 45 min
CH 845pm
tie up 900pm.

...another day at the office.