Canadian Railroads > QNS&L snow fighter 21 years ago today

21 years ago this week, and specifically this date I was in Sept-Iles, QC with a new snow fighter.
No shortage of freezing cold weather and nasty wind chill factors.
After preping the machine inside the shop over a couple of days (radio and Proximity Detection Device installation) we ventured outdoors to plow the yard.

QNS&L 60213 is a Nordco model M2-14-A ballast regulator/snow fighter, serial number 800214, built in 2003 at the Nordco (formerly Pyke Mfg.) plant in Oshawa, ON.
Pictured at Sept-Iles, QC January 15, 2004
-22C with -34C windchill
Brrr!

---

---

---

The winds are picking up ....

---

---

---

Brrr!

---

---

Nice post again. Allow me to ask a novice's question. Unlike many plows that have a straight bottom edge, near the railhead, this one has notches to get down below the rails. That seems great, for better snow removal. But of course you have to lift it for every switch, guard rail, and so on. In those cases, won't the notches leave excess snow at the rail? There's something my geologist/non-engineer brain isn't figuring out. Any explanation will be appreciated. Thanks for these posts, Paul.
Fred

The broom on the ass end will take care of places the plow can't, much like grooming ballast.

feclark Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nice post again. Allow me to ask a novice's
> question. Unlike many plows that have a straight
> bottom edge, near the railhead, this one has
> notches to get down below the rails. That seems
> great, for better snow removal. But of course you
> have to lift it for every switch, guard rail, and
> so on. In those cases, won't the notches leave
> excess snow at the rail? There's something my
> geologist/non-engineer brain isn't figuring out.
> Any explanation will be appreciated. Thanks for
> these posts, Paul.
> Fred

SP4360 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The broom on the ass end will take care of places
> the plow can't, much like grooming ballast.
>
> feclark Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Nice post again. Allow me to ask a novice's
> > question. Unlike many plows that have a
> straight
> > bottom edge, near the railhead, this one has
> > notches to get down below the rails. That seems
> > great, for better snow removal. But of course
> you
> > have to lift it for every switch, guard rail,
> and
> > so on. In those cases, won't the notches leave
> > excess snow at the rail? There's something my
> > geologist/non-engineer brain isn't figuring
> out.
> > Any explanation will be appreciated. Thanks for
> > these posts, Paul.
> > Fred

Got it; thanks.
Fred

some of those in europe, can do a 180

Hi Fred. Areas of the track structure that cannot be cleared by the front plow assembly can be swept clean by the broom/auger/blower assembly on the rear of the machine (turnouts, grade crossings, bridge guard rails, etc.)
Railroads I have worked with use a variety of front plow arrangements for snow clearing.
Some plow blades rest slightly above top-of-rail for high speed clearing of snow across the full width of the plow.
Other plows have blade extensions for flanging the 4-foot (area between the rails) to a selected depth.
Another variation in snow plows are 'cut-outs' so the entire plow can drop below top-of-rail to the top-of-ties for a full-depth clearing of the track.
And in some cases, plows are equipped with a 'center flanging plate' that cuts away hardened snow/ice that has built up between the rails.
Cleaning the track a few inches below top-of-rail across the track section is important for hi-rail vehicle traction and safe travel.
Plows that clear the track structure down to the ties can provide a clear view for track inspectors, and aid in winter track maintenance.
Here's a few of the plow variations I have worked with over the years .....
Pics 1, 2, & 3   Top of rail plow
Pic 1   CN 621-02 Nordco M2, sn 800129, blt 2002, at Charny, QC December 4, 2002
Pic 2   CN 621-03 Nordco M2, sn 800130, blt 2002, at Terrace, BC Work Equipment shop January 14, 2003
Pic 3   CN 621-07 Nordco M2-14-A, sn 800210, blt 2003, at Saskatoon, SK November 27, 2003 


 

---

---

---

Plows that can drop to top-of-tie for full track section clearing, just below top-of-rail, and center flanging only ....
Pic 1   CN 621-01 Nordco M2, sn 800120, blt 2001 at Hornepayne, ON December 17, 2001.  Plow openings to allow snow clearing to top-of-tie.
Pic 2   CN 625-64 Nordco M7, sn 800308, blt 2008, at Edmundston, NB December 9, 2008.  Cutting edges below top-of-rail.
Pic 3   CP 5711-03 Nordco M2 regulator snow fighter, sn 800121, blt 2001.  Center flanging plate.

---

---

---

And if you want to turn the machine around and work in the opposite direction .....
CN 625-64 Nordco M7 snow fighter, sn 800308, built 2008, at Edmundston, NB December 9, 2008.  turntable balance & spin.

---

poshell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And if you want to turn the machine around and
> work in the opposite direction .....
> CN 625-64 Nordco M7 snow fighter, sn 800308, built
> 2008, at Edmundston, NB December 9, 2008. 
> turntable balance & spin.

This is a great overview of these machines; thanks. Maybe it's because you can't go into yards like you used to that I haven't seen these things. But I haven't. Or I'm not out at the right time.
Fred

Here's a few pics of the broom/auger/blower in action ....
RailAmerica MacKenzie Northern Nordco M2 ballast regulator/snow fighter, serial number 800134, built in 2003 at the Nordco (formerly Pyke Mfg. plant in Oshawa, ON.
Working in Peace River, AB on March 18, 2003.

---

---

---

A few more ....

---

---

---