Our first plow extra

[raymbo]

We had our first plow extra yesterday with the 12" of nice fluffy snow on the ground. However since the Soo Line GP9 and the F7 are both in the diesel shop for electrical work, a Southern RR SW-1200 had to be pressed into service.

The rails were icy and the engine had some difficulty getting footing so plowing was difficult. Two derailments occurred when the wheels were raised off the rail at the switch frogs which were full of ice.

While the plow worked well, we just didn't have enough traction effort to push it more than about 150' and a couple of back up moves to hit the drifts. I am confident that when we have both engines back on the property we could push the plow, but since this is a once in about 20-years snow fall the plow will probably be a siding queen for visiting engineers.

Here is a short You Tube video showing the plow at least trying. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KGPz_5Cm_A


First efforts


Stuck in the snow without a drag out locomotive


Rough winter.

We did enjoy watching the plow throw the snow off the right of way, and once we get the wings operational it should even be more fun. We'll just have to wait for another snow day in Kentucky.

[silversanjuan]

Love it! Looked like a wet, heavy snow. Interesting to watch how the plow split the snow.

Todd

[raymbo]

Hello Todd--no actually it has been a dry fluffy snow, perfect for playing in. Had the rail heads not had a coating of ice on them I think the leased Southern engine would have done better, as it was it did go quite well several times ramming the drifts. I think had we had our two engines on the plow might have gone around a fair bit of our railroad.

This was a once in several decades snow event for us and it was fun trying out the plow--but at age 75 and after cleaning the walks twice, I have already had enough and I won't whine when it is all gone in a week or two. One thing about living here in Kentucky, we get a lot of very nice railroading days. We take a trip or two around the railroad almost every evening when it is nice out, can't beat that!

Have a good day and thanks for writing.

RG