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Ready for Snow? Show Off Your Plows and other Snowfighting Gear

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  • Member since
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  • From: Denver, CO
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Posted by Motley on Thursday, December 4, 2014 11:21 AM

Here's my rotary snow plow.

Michael


CEO-
Mile-HI-Railroad
Prototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, December 4, 2014 12:56 AM

rrebell:

Just ask anybody living in Buffalo!

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by rrebell on Thursday, December 4, 2014 12:53 AM

Snow, whats that!!!!!!  LOL

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, December 4, 2014 12:37 AM

Here is a couple that I didn't post last year when the thread was started:

A 'crab' which I believe was pulled backwards to widen the space left by conventional plows. It would have been followed by another plow to clear the snow that it pulled on to the center of the track:

It is a Roundhouse 3 in 1 kit.

This is a small flanger, also part of a Roundhouse 3 in 1 kit:

This is the Roundhouse 3 in 1 version of a Jordan spreader. Like I have said previously, it is lacking a lot of details:

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 11:21 PM

Here's my crew and their iron arsenal behind them...

The Russell wedge for the sidings and branch lines, the rotary for the main line (I'm 99% certain the NYC owned at least one rotary) and a borrowed Jordan spreader from the Santa Fe (never got around to repainting her!) for keeping the yards clear and clean-up work after the "big storm."

 

NOW this guy makes sure the driveway is clear so the UPS truck can get through with my shipments of train goodies Big Smile

Keep 'em coming! Ed

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Posted by mlehman on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 10:08 PM

GP-9_Man11786
Well I was trying to post a picture of a big green sign reading "I-95 South Miami" as a joke but the software seems to have other plans.

Aren't computers wonderful?Smile

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by GP-9_Man11786 on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 9:16 PM

mlehman

Now we have two suspensful waits on our hands. Has the Evil Grinch hexed pic posting in this thread, just to ruin the season for us all? Stay tuned...

In the meanwhile, this was just an excuse to post some random pics I've taken reacently that are somewhat seasonal.

One of the reasons for a test run with the plow on is to check for any obstructions that have grow, dropped, or mistakenly been placed in the ROW. This works just as well for your layout as it does for 1:1 if your plows haven't been out for awhile.

The bridge at Cascade Falls is pretty dramatic.

After taking water at Tefft, a small adjustment, and sandwiches arranged through the station agent's wife, things are ready to go.

Crossing the Animas River bridge south of Silverton.

At the station

No serious issues, so gold stars and beer all around for the section men!Beer

 

Well I was trying to post a picture of a big green sign reading "I-95 South Miami" as a joke but the software seems to have other plans.

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.

www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com 

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Posted by mlehman on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 4:17 PM

Now we have two suspensful waits on our hands. Has the Evil Grinch hexed pic posting in this thread, just to ruin the season for us all? Stay tuned...

In the meanwhile, this was just an excuse to post some random pics I've taken reacently that are somewhat seasonal.

One of the reasons for a test run with the plow on is to check for any obstructions that have grow, dropped, or mistakenly been placed in the ROW. This works just as well for your layout as it does for 1:1 if your plows haven't been out for awhile.

The bridge at Cascade Falls is pretty dramatic.

After taking water at Tefft, a small adjustment, and sandwiches arranged through the station agent's wife, things are ready to go.

Crossing the Animas River bridge south of Silverton.

At the station

No serious issues, so gold stars and beer all around for the section men!Beer

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    August 2012
  • From: Georgetown. Ohio
  • 62 posts
Posted by southernnscale on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 1:49 PM

mlehman

OK, OK, we're waiting for it....

Can't stand the suspense.Wink

I was looking thru the site and came accross these outstanding Snow Machines and thought I would drop in with my 3D printed 1:220 Z scale Machine of my own. Not finish yet but does have it trucks on and ready to roll accross the tracks having problems posting photo!!!!!

 

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Posted by mlehman on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 10:27 AM

OK, OK, we're waiting for it....

Can't stand the suspense.Wink

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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    July 2004
  • From: Spartanburg, SC
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Posted by GP-9_Man11786 on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 8:57 AM

Here's my ideal piece of snowfighting equipment. Stick out tongue

Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad in N Scale.

www.prr-nscale.blogspot.com 

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    September 2003
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Posted by mlehman on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 8:22 AM

Mark,

Great pics. Thanks for sharing!

And nicely weathered, too.Wink

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • From: Stagecoach Nevada
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Posted by crhostler61 on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 7:56 AM

I don't have any snowfighting equipment on my layout at this time, but I do have a few shots of real equipment that might inspire someone else.

http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/MarkH2102T1/media/Project57_zpsa1c810c0.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

 

http://s1320.photobucket.com/user/MarkH2102T1/media/Project368_zpsffabdc6c.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

 

The Jordan spreader was at Truckee CA in June 1989 and the rotary was in the yard in Sparks NV also June 1989.

 

Mark H 

Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history. 

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Posted by mlehman on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 1:56 AM

Getting to be the season for snow. Got those plows on yet?

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by mlehman on Friday, January 3, 2014 12:34 AM

Great tip, Dave!

Well worth a look and maybe some image grabs for later reference.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, January 2, 2014 10:23 PM

I thought I would bump this thread to let you know that there are some very interesting HO snow plows and flangers being offered on eBay right now. There are currently about 50 listed but apparently there are almost 200 plows in total that will be offered, all made by Ron Keith who was known as "Plow Man". Almost all are scratch built and there are lots of very interesting looking units.

So, if you want to pick up something out of the ordinary here's your chance.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/trainsandsuch/m.html?item=141155685657&pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item20dd88d519&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Friday, December 27, 2013 2:38 AM

How about some steamers and more, in action:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBSuNz3g0oA

Frank

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  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 8:45 PM

Walthers does not list them any more but they do come up on eBay from time to time. Unfortunately they tend to be a little pricey.

Right now on eBay there is a Roundhouse 3 in 1 kit for a Jordan Spreader. That is the same kit as I showed in my post above. It really lacks a lot of detail so how good a model you can make out of it depends on your scratchbuilding skills.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Roundhouse-1516-HO-scale-3-in-1-Theme-kit-JORDAN-SPREADER-SNOW-CRAB-TOOL-CAR-/261359521417?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3cda3dce89

There is also an Overland brass spreader for $400! Nice piece I guess but way out of my budget range.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HO-BRASS-Overland-Models-Jordan-Spreader-Model-2-180-by-Ajin-Precision-SEALED-/221341448477?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item3388fa791d

Walthers still carries a snow plow conversion kit for the spreader.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by JeremyB on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 7:06 PM

Great pics guys, Is the walthers jordan spreader avialable anymore?

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Posted by mlehman on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 2:12 PM

George,

Beautiful work, sends chillsSmile

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by georgev on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 12:16 PM

At the risk of overloading this thread, Mr. Railfan managed to catch the R&R's rotary plow passing through Frostbite Falls on the way to clear a snowslide further up the line.  Consolidation #382 and Mike #429 are doing the shoving. 

George V.

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  • From: Anaheim, CA Bayfield, CO
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Posted by Southwest Chief on Sunday, December 15, 2013 1:12 PM

mlehman

Matt,

I'm guessing that shot was taken in Bayfield, not Anaheim?Wink

Beautiful models with heft, that's for sure. Is your rotary track power or battery power?

 
Yep Bayfield Wink  Well technically Vallecito, CO...Bayfield is our post office.
 
The rotary is currently battery powered.  But back when the photo was taken it was still running on track power.

Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, CO
Click Here for my model train photo website

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Posted by mlehman on Sunday, December 15, 2013 11:54 AM

George,

Nice weathering on your rotary. In service and used, but not decrepit.

Matt,

I'm guessing that shot was taken in Bayfield, not Anaheim?Wink

Beautiful models with heft, that's for sure. Is your rotary track power or battery power?

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • From: Michigan
  • 338 posts
Posted by georgev on Sunday, December 15, 2013 10:33 AM

Since this thread started I've been planning to get a new picture of my rotary snowplow in the snow scene I have - but something always comes up.  So here's the plow in warm weather.  It's had a bit of a change since this shot, adding an oil tank to the tender.  It's the old Athearn plow with a "train set grade" tender I picked up at a train show.   Maybe I'll get the new picture taken yet.

George V.

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    July 2006
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Posted by hon30critter on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 12:29 AM

Thank you for the compliments.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Anaheim, CA Bayfield, CO
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Posted by Southwest Chief on Monday, December 9, 2013 5:02 PM

The rotary is well used:

The flanger is a brand new addition to the snow fighting roster:

Matt from Anaheim, CA and Bayfield, CO
Click Here for my model train photo website

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Posted by mlehman on Monday, December 9, 2013 8:43 AM

Bob and Dave,

Really outstanding modeling, guys. I'm sure glad the Canadian contingent ain't afraid of snowWink

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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Posted by Railphotog on Monday, December 9, 2013 5:39 AM

Dave:  Nice brass work on your double track plow!  Never thought of using brass for such a project myself, preferring to use styrene for mine:

 

 

 

Bob Boudreau

CANADA

Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/

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Posted by mlehman on Monday, December 9, 2013 12:12 AM

One important piece of gear not yet mentioned, especially in the Animas River Canyon where my line operates is the bulldozer. Snowslides in the canyon grequently bring down trees and rocks, both of whcih can be fatal to the rotaries. The bulldozer and the depressed-center flat that carries it are essential to keeping the line open. The DC flat is an Eastern Car Works kit that was bashed to HOn3, the dozer is from First Gear.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

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  • From: Stagecoach Nevada
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Posted by crhostler61 on Sunday, December 8, 2013 4:32 PM

I no longer have the inclination to add or model snow on my layout. I've lived on the fringes of the northern Sierra Nevada range for the last 19 years. Here snow storms are often measured in feet not inches. As I write this post, there is a 6" dusting outside and the temp is 14 degrees...and I have to drive to work in 2 hours. Not fun since there are no NDOT trucks in sight. 

Snow has become something of a nemesis.

Maybe I should fit a diesel rotary to the front of my pick up. LOL

Mark H 

Modeling in HO...Reading and Conrail together in an alternate history. 

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