This relates to a topic I posted on the New York Central forum concerning snow removal methods. It appears that the New Haven only used plows and flangers. How do flangers work exactly?
Railroad Forums
NH snow removal operations
- Discussion relating to the NH and its subsidiaries (NYW&B, Union Freight Railroad, Connecticut Company, steamship lines, etc.). up until its 1969 inclusion into the Penn Central merger. This forum is also for the discussion of efforts to preserve former New Haven equipment, artifacts and its history. You may also wish to visit www.nhrhta.org for more information.
Didn't the New Haven have some snow melters, mid-1950s, which utilized the 3 2-8-2s that were kept for a few years after the end of all steam train operations. The steam engine provided fresh steam to melt snow which was liquified in an open top car and periodically the car was pushed to a river bridge and the melted snow drained. After the big storm in March, 1956 one of these units was operating in Providence and there are photos of it that show up now and then.
Flangers removed the snow between the rails,the blades were raised at grade crossings,switches,
and other items between the rails. There was flanger signals along the ROW to prompt the
flanger operator where to raise/lower the blade.
When done,there would be only, 2-3 inches of snow between the rails
and other items between the rails. There was flanger signals along the ROW to prompt the
flanger operator where to raise/lower the blade.
When done,there would be only, 2-3 inches of snow between the rails
The Land of Enchantment is not Flyover country!