SP MOWers,
As you may note from my other posts, I have been researching appropriate prototype data for SP snow fighting equipment for an early '50s-era layout with a Southern Oregon theme. It appears that Walthers' now discontinued 932-1950 series is based on the ALCO-Leslie version that appears here (work still seems to be in progress above the plow cowling):
http://digital.denverlibrary.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15330coll22/id/53900
Except that SP is not likely to have ever used the tender that was included by Walthers! If not the same unit, this rotary would be sister to the plow in the Dennis Sullivan photo collection posted here:
http://www.trainweb.org/mccloudrails/Miscellaneous/RotaryPlows.html
Walthers folks report that they no longer have the photos or drawings used to produce their model, although I suspect it's the one in the Denver Library - and as there was no SP tender attached in what looks like a factory photo, they simply added an unrepresentative tender. But the tender is just a side issue, especially as I've secured an appropriate AC-11/12 tender for my plow. But I am still on the lookout for any other photos that might shed light on further details - like the curious chains that ran between the ends of the truck frames and the lower edges of the plow's chassis. And it would be nice to know when the grabirons that later appear on the cowling were added.
The Trainweb/McCloud photo spread was taken during the winter of '51-'52 and documents McCloud's use of an SP loaner. The last picture in the black and white series (with the operator poking out of the front window) has some great modelling details, including the display of a distinctive ladder covering the forward window and what appears to be a visored Pyle headlight with sideboards (Cal Scale's 190-201?). With the Denver Library photo, it is this shot of all that I've located to date that makes the Walthers issue so definitive for SP. I have yet to run across any square-windowed Alco plows in any other livery that have this particular widow and door pattern.
The trainweb site for McCloud concludes with a color shot of another SP square-windowed rotary loaner taken in '69. This one's the unique longer-bodied modification that SP put together sometime in the intervening years. There are a number of good photos out there for this version, the plow that Precision Scale once planned to produce (p. 13 of the following):
http://www.precisionscaleco.com/APRIL%20MODELER%20NEWSLETTER.pdf
Another Trainweb site (www.trainweb.org/rrsnowfighting/) has a great rundown on all of SP's rotaries and other snow equipment, including the equipment number history. But it does not have precisely what I'm looking for -the dates of the various renumberings. A reference is found there to Gerald M. Best's book, "Snowplow: Clearing Mountain Rails" which might have what I need but I can't find a copy locally. And I am not yet ready to cough up $25 or so to secure one over the 'Net just to find out. Iwould also like to know the corresponding history of the numbering for the associated tenders.
I don't want to totally obsess over this thing but do want to at least get the plow and tender appropriately numbered for, say, the year 1953. Two of these rotaries were assigned to Southern Oregon. If I can learn a bit more, then #718/709/7222, a plow that was supposedly assigned to Klamath Falls at one time, will be reporduced on my pike.
Any help out there?
John
Sorry, one and all, the upper link was not taking you to the right page. Turns out that I left the "http" off the address in the first URL! Who'd a thunk? I didn't. It's working now, here or in the original post above: http://www.trainweb.org/mccloudrails/Miscellaneous/RotaryPlows.html.
Let me add another question: in the last black and white photo, there are three upright valve-like items sticking up above the catwalk behind the cab. Does anyone know precisely what these are and if any superdetailers make them in either plastic or brass? Sad to say, I've discovered just how delicate they are on the Walthers product.
And note the operator hanging out the window. I find it amusing that in the old days you'd find guys in bib overalls with a shirt and tie underneath. Did that say more about their work attitude or the company's (not unrelated) dress code?