Re: Rio Grande Southern 02 snow plow and flanger

It seems that RGS 02 was prone to derailment. In Daniel Edwards fine publication Cases of Regulating Colorado Railroads, Decisions of the CO PUC, 1914-1953, there is a case regarding the plow from 1917. In January 1917 the Commission received numerous informal complaints (from employees?) concerned about how the plow was operated. According to the evidence gathered by the Commission, "The evidence disclosed that the flanger plow is subject to derailment, and its operation can be dangerous". The final Commission order after the investigation was that the snow flanger train should have a caboose with re-railing tools, lamps, and a stove and that the train should have at least two brakeman along with the rest of the regular crew. The second brakeman should be stationed in the flanger with the conductor and the flanger should not be operated as part of a passenger train.

Mike Ramsey