The perils of snowplowing

Matt_Hutson · February 13, 2022, 3:26pm

Hi all,
Yesterday we got about an inch and a half of new snow, so at dawn I set about opening the mainline. The consist was my Russell snowplow X-67, 2-8-0 #1159 and caboose #01157.
Things went fine as we set out from the garage down to the main track. It was a splendid morning, albeit only 5 degrees. The grade is a steady 2% downhill from here and it was easy going:

Once out on the mainline things began to go awry as we approached the water tank. The snowplow derailed, so I uncoupled the locomotive and began backing up. The locomotive derailed on the south switch at Goodwin and in disgust I left the whole outfit where it sat until things warmed up a bit.

Later in the day I retrieved the equipment. As is often the case with snowplowing, some things got broken. the caboose has a dangling step and the pilot plow on the locomotive split in two. Somewhere I also lost the entire compound air compressor and have yet to find it. Oh well!

Cheers,
Matt

JRad · February 13, 2022, 3:41pm

Oh yea, I know the perils of running a plow extra. This plowing accident in 2017 on the C.V.S.Ry. resulted in the death of a plastic engineer and caused the railroad to annul plowing operations for nearly 5 years.

Bruce_Chandler · February 13, 2022, 3:57pm

When it’s that cold outside, it’s a good reason to stay INSIDE! (If I want cold, a beer is GOOD! )

JRad · February 13, 2022, 4:25pm

My new strategy is to plow only what I can see through the window next to the stove! Today is a perfect opportunity to do just that.

capecodtodd · February 13, 2022, 6:53pm

Super nice photos Matt.
What a terrible crash Jon.
We had this mishap in 2008.

Since then we have stopped photographing accidents in case they be used against the RR in a court of law. Speaking off the record we have had plenty.

Plowing in our little worlds is really tough and it can be hard going with things breaking but when it all works out it is fun.

Cliff_Jennings · February 13, 2022, 9:46pm

Matt, when I saw that first photo I thought it was a 1:1 historical shot!

David_Marconi_FOGCH · February 14, 2022, 2:06am

Yep! Same thought crossed my mind

suleski · February 14, 2022, 7:20pm

The Suleski Ttransportation wreck train is availible (for normal service fees) to help all you snow plowers that can’t stay on the tracks.

Ric_Golding · February 15, 2022, 12:24am

Scott, great to see you posting!
.
Jon, when I talked to you yesterday and you were plowing snow, in my mind I had the scale wrong. I was thinking 1 to 1.
.
Matt, Great pictures!

JRad · February 15, 2022, 1:31am

Actually it was 1:1 before your call. Did the railroad through the window after the driveway while warming up by the fire

Matt_Hutson · February 15, 2022, 2:55am

Thanks to all who replied! Snowplowing is where I get the most enjoyment from the hobby, along with a lot of the frustration. There have been arduous days over the years:

Good to know Suleski Transportation is still a going concern!

Cheers,
Matt

suleski · February 16, 2022, 7:02pm

2022 marks the 30th year for Suleski Transportation (in G Scale)