Rotary snowplow engine by Helen Betts

Helen Betts | all galleries >> Budapest Adventure >> Hungarian Railway Museum > Rotary snowplow engine


17-MAR-2013

Rotary snowplow engine

I was simply fascinated with these snowplow engines and have never seen anything like them before. I couldn't quite understand how this clears snow off the tracks, and had my husband double check the sign, but it's for sure a snowplow.

Note: I found some information on this kind of snowplow: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_snowplow

Following up on Patrick's suggestion, I checked youtube for videos of rotary snowplows. There are many, but a few I watched (can't seem to link them directly here):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9pu98ePUVU -- Wow!! Spectacular! Start around minute 3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv1QXCVq_zE -- History, also actual operation

Nikon D800 ,Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
1/200s f/8.0 at 35.0mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto

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Ton T.		23-Mar-2013 15:00
Impressive machine! Nice capture

Gary A. Rich (GRainelev)		21-Mar-2013 23:21
Helen, yes this is a rotary snow plow. If you notice behind the light on top, there is area, that will blow the snow to either side of the tracks. This is used when there is a huge amount of snow. The UP still digs out one of their rotaries in the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. This area will get over 650 inches of snow in a winter. They will run work trains that generally have a Jordan Spreader on each end of the engines trying to keep the mainline open. This is another great head-on image that you have taken. Great job. V.

Tom LeRoy		19-Mar-2013 14:04
Watched it in You tube as Patrick suggested. A truly amazing machine. Excellent front capture, Helen! V

Patrick Goossens		19-Mar-2013 09:34
Sorry, I was not logged in.

Guest		19-Mar-2013 09:32
Helen, there are some nice videos about this rotary system, just give in rotary snow plough Germany.

Sheila		18-Mar-2013 22:45
That means serious snow! A fascinating contraption, looking as if it belongs in a Jules Verne story!

Dan Greenberg		18-Mar-2013 21:39
It is definitely a snow plow. I have seen them here before. Wonderful POV and capture of the geometric shapes. ~V~

J S Quesada		18-Mar-2013 21:25
This one is even more impressive... like a giant drill. Great light and perspective. V

pkocinski		18-Mar-2013 12:16
This is a cool find and thanks for the link on how they work.

Helen Betts		18-Mar-2013 11:56
Thank you, Guest! I've done more research on these rotary snowplows, and wow, they certainly do look awesome in operation! Being from San Francisco so not growing up with snow, I had no idea that railways even had snowplows, but of course they would have to, and they certainly are impressive to look at!

Guest		18-Mar-2013 11:48
Actually it is a very old invention, originating in US in the late XIX century but still in use; it is not much different, in its basic principle, from the ones used to clear the roads. I've seen photos of it in action and it is really awesome!

Stephanie		18-Mar-2013 11:01
Fascinating snowplow! I think it works by magic! V

marie-jose wolff		18-Mar-2013 10:23
it's very ingenious, beautiful machine! V

Graeme		18-Mar-2013 09:48
It looks fascinating compared to normal train fronts, Helen. Shame you could not see it in action! BV

Bill Miller		18-Mar-2013 09:45
That is a solid piece of engineering !

Zoltán Balogh		18-Mar-2013 09:40
Wow...I'm amazed, just like you Helen...:) V