Western Railroad Discussion > Union Pacific's Rotaries Announcement

Rotary Snow Plow Operations
Announcement Number: CN2017-19
2-27-2017

> To Our Customers,
>
> Union Pacific's most powerful snow-removal machine, the rotary snow
> plow, was in full operation this past weekend during the third
> snowiest winter in the Sierras in recorded history. The plow cut
> through snow that reached depths of 13 feet, across 14 miles near the
> Donner Pass. The railroad's first and second lines of defense against
> snowstorms – flangers and spreaders – were unable to keep the tracks
> clear due to the depth of snow walls, so the rotary was required to
> clear large amounts of snow in a timely manner.
>
> We have three one-of-a-kind rotary snow plows to use as needed during
> winter months. Union Pacific's plows were originally built in the
> 1920s and operated by steam, then overhauled and converted to diesel
> electric in the 1950s. In 2012, we made the first major makeover in
> more than 60 years to one rotary plow enhancing its productivity,
> reliability and power. We plan to enhance another rotary plow in
> 2017.
>
> Union Pacific is working diligently during the winter months to keep
> our lines cleared of snow and ready for your business.
>
> Original | Rotary Plow_02-27-17

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Rotary Snow Plow Operations
> Announcement Number: CN2017-19
> 2-27-2017
>
> > To Our Customers,
> >
> > Union Pacific's most powerful snow-removal
> machine, the rotary snow
> > plow, was in full operation this past weekend
> during the third
> > snowiest winter in the Sierras in recorded
> history. The plow cut
> > through snow that reached depths of 13 feet,
> across 14 miles near the
> > Donner Pass. The railroad's first and second
> lines of defense against
> > snowstorms – flangers and spreaders – were
> unable to keep the tracks
> > clear due to the depth of snow walls, so the
> rotary was required to
> > clear large amounts of snow in a timely manner.
> >
> > We have three one-of-a-kind rotary snow plows to
> use as needed during
> > winter months. Union Pacific's plows were
> originally built in the
> > 1920s and operated by steam, then overhauled and
> converted to diesel
> > electric in the 1950s. In 2012, we made the
> first major makeover in
> > more than 60 years to one rotary plow enhancing
> its productivity,
> > reliability and power. We plan to enhance
> another rotary plow in
> > 2017.
> >
> > Union Pacific is working diligently during the
> winter months to keep
> > our lines cleared of snow and ready for your
> business.
> >
> > Original | Rotary Plow_02-27-17


Any chance the Union Pacific will accompany this message with helicopter / drone footage of the rotaries in action?  It will be wonderful to see two modern rotary plows in action.

Having a drone ahead of the train would probably be an asset to the rotary operator. Another view of what's ahead.

Interesting you should bring that up. We were talking about that general concept at work recently as well - the 'tethered drone' concept, where you simply tether it with a lighweight power cord. It's not really as far fetched as it sounds! I rather suspect, however, that the turbulance caused by the snow plume might be a limiting factor.

SRK

Lackawanna484 Wrote:

> Having a drone ahead of the train would probably
> be an asset to the rotary operator. Another view
> of what's ahead.

Steve Krause
Chillicothe, IL

Sounds like UP HQ forgot they have 2 more rotaries in Cheyenne.

Both are newer than the SP rotaries; one was built in the early 1970s.

Or maybe they retired them.

"> We have three one-of-a-kind rotary snow plows  ......"

Now that's funny.







 

Bill Miller
Galt, ON

GenePoon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > "Union Pacific is working diligently during the winter months to keep
> > our lines cleared of snow and ready for your business."

Except UP didn't have enough power systemwide so slower moving and detouring trains that needed more power to bypass the Feather River Canyon via Donner Pass or Tehachapi/Las Vegas soaked up all the power (and crews).  Trains were (still are?) backed up to leave Sparks and Elko to go west, with Roseville out of power to send lite to Sparks.  Similar problems at Yermo may have died down due to reduced detours.  The crews are making money but turning and burning, getting tired.

mapboy