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Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)
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Author:  tomgears [ Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

I've not ever seen anything like this one.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 998&nseq=4

Does anyone know more about it. Were there any here in the states?

Author:  4460 [ Wed Dec 10, 2008 3:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

I concur. Looking at the unit, I don't see any indications of a firebox, fuel and water tanks of sufficient size, a smokestack, or sanders. It looks to me like they took an old steam frame (probably selected for its weight) and attached a modified carbody. The greater question is whether the plow controls are mechanical, and if not whether power for them/the electrical appliances is produced onboard or by the trailing locomotive.

Author:  Schuylkill Valley [ Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

Hi all, I found this on another web site. it shows a front view of this snow plow.
Image

Len.

Author:  thirdrail [ Wed Dec 10, 2008 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

Lookng at the underframe and the one siderod left, it is just possible that the source was originally a side-rodded 0-D-0 electric. Lots of those in Central Europe at one time.

Author:  jd johnson [ Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

Everyone,

My first impression of this unit after seeing the front view is it looks a little "ALCO ish" as far as the cab. Just imagine a C420 and I think you may see what I thought about.

By the by, Merry Christmas Everyone. I wish all of you a wonderful holiday.

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

Author:  tomgears [ Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

I agree that it looks like it was probably converted. I had not really studied the photo at first. Either a converted steam or electric might be a good theory. Transformers in her belly would give good weight to help with plowing. Nevertheless it is a very odd piece of equipment and it's too bad there is not more information on her.

Author:  steaminfo [ Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

jd johnson wrote:
Everyone,

My first impression of this unit after seeing the front view is it looks a little "ALCO ish" as far as the cab. Just imagine a C420 and I think you may see what I thought about.

By the by, Merry Christmas Everyone. I wish all of you a wonderful holiday.

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian


In a fit of tap-dancing insanity, I called the curator of the museum in which the snow plow in question is located. It turns out that it is neither steam nor diesel, but rather the frame of an 0-8-0 and some of its running gear upon which a plow has been built. The purpose for the eccentric is to operate a mechanical lubricator, as someone speculated. It was intended to be shoved around by whatever locomotive happened to be handy, and according to Gyorgi the curator whose English was fluent and somewhat colorful, "I don't think the [deleted] thing ever worked [deleted] [deleted] at all. [Deleted] Useless junk, or the museum wouldn't have it. The people at MAV couldn't design a doorknob without help from another [deleted] country."

Author:  Howard P. [ Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

See? The "Universal Language of Railroading" really IS profanity!!!!

My colleague ZOG was correct!

Howard P.
Seven Words Rd.
Carlin, CT

Author:  Stephen Hussar [ Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

There is a comment written (in broken english) below the first photo stating that this "snow cleaning appliance" was built from un-exploded steam locomotive parts after the war.

Sounds like my grandfather talking! ;-)

Author:  Graham Williams [ Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

Hi everyone. I'm the guy who took the photo. I have visited Budapest many times and been to this great museum a few times. They have a good collection of snowploughs there, a type of vehicle which does not always get preserved.

Two other notable ones are these two.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=237836
A rotary snowplough with an unusual bogie (truck) arrangement and an old steam tender stuck on the back end.


http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=238371
An amazingly tall plough. The driver must have had a good head for heights! It seems to have portholes in the tank body, like a submarine!

Like the other one, my knowledge of the history of these vehicles is very scant indeed. Maybe someone needs to call the curator again for more info.

Just for good measure, here is a wide view of some of the steam locos parked around one of the turntables.
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=242810

I have a number of other shots at the museum on RailPictures.net and will probably upload more. If you ever get to Central Europe, the museum should certainly be on your "to do" list.
Cheers.

Author:  tomgears [ Tue Dec 16, 2008 8:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

Thanks for sharing. Photos from around the world add a different perspective on our great past time. I hope to visit in person myself one day.

Author:  Zog [ Tue Dec 23, 2008 9:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Self Propelled Snow Plow (Steam)

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=238371

I can just see Clark Gable up there pulling the klaxon and shouting "Dive Dive".


Zog
Give me the Regular One Ave.
Bronx NY

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