The forecast of this 10 - 15 ft of snow in the Mountains of Ca including Tahoe may affect the RR operations over Donner, Feather River, and maybe southern Ca. Because of the fickel nature of any snow storm I will not predict where or when this snow will happen. However I hope that maybe some of our posters will be able to get some pictures of any results.
Donner snow fighting including the possibilities of rotary plows?.
Amtrak detours thru Feather River or outright cancellations?
Amtrak cancellations of Cascades due to mud slides again?
Southern Ca Cancellations again due to mud slides?
If any of you go find winter conditions; please be careful with full tank of gas and survival gear among other items
Snowfighting over Donner generally uses wedge plows modified from Jordan spreaders. Rotaries are a last resort because of the expense and the fact that they cut a narrow path compared to the wedge plows.
The Union Pacific uses the flangers first during the snow storms and contiues to run them ahead of trains while it is snowing to keep the tracks open. The pictures below is from our first snow storm two weeks ago. The Jorden spreaders then are used to push the plowed snow back from the tracks to allow the flangers to push more snow off of the tracks for the next storm. At some point in time, the rotary would be used if the snow builds up too quickly for the flangers to keep the track open. After this storm moves past, I will try to get up on the Hill again for more pictures.
The storm might add 4 to 8 feet of new snow at the track elevation on Donner. The numbers that have been talked about will be much higher on the mountain.
The picture below at Soda Springs shows the snow on the right side moved back from the tracks by the Jorden spreader, which allows the flangers to push more snow durning the next storm.
True, that much snow would bring out the rotaries on the Hill, but that is not the amount that Soda Springs will get if the forecast is correct for this storm. One of the rotary set was fired up last week and again this week so the UP is aware and ready to use one if it is needed.
CaZephyra: Great set of pictures at Soda Springs. Noted that many locos were AC traction. I agree that the flangers only will probably be used; but the way weather there is fickel that could change. If you change the prevailing wind 20 degrees you may get no snow at all or get the big dump. What will happen I have no idea and would not want to be the forecaster for this massive weather pattern.
One item I would want to do is if I am the Roadmaster for that section is require at least 2 UP AC locos on the point of the Cal Z each way between Colfax? and Sparks?.The reason is the problems the CAL Z had on BNSF last winter between DEN - CHI due to snow causing
If you mean “Snert”, which is snow with a little wind blown dirt that you get on the plains, yes. If you mean a mud slide NO. Also rorarys do not like snow slides with rocks or trees in them. Very hard on fan blades.
The Union Pacific uses the flangers first during the snow storms and contiues to run them ahead of trains while it is snowing to keep the tracks open. The pictures below is from our first snow storm two weeks ago. The Jorden spreaders then are used to push the plowed snow back from the tracks to allow the flangers to push more snow off of the tracks for the next storm. At some point in time, the rotary would be used if the snow builds up too quickly for the flangers to keep the track open. After this storm moves past, I will try to get up on the Hill again for more pictures.
The storm might add 4 to 8 feet of new snow at the track elevation on Donner. The numbers that have been talked about will be much higher on the mountain.
The picture below at Soda Springs shows the snow on the right side moved back from the tracks by the Jorden spreader, which allows the flangers to push more snow durning the next storm.
CaZephyra: Great set of pictures at Soda Springs. Noted that many locos were AC traction. I agree that the flangers only will probably be used; but the way weather there is fickel that could change. If you change the prevailing wind 20 degrees you may get no snow at all or get the big dump. What will happen I have no idea and would not want to be the forecaster for this massive weather pattern.
One item I would want to do is if I am the Roadmaster for that section is require at least 2 UP AC locos on the point
“KUSA-TV reported an Amtrak train that runs from Denver to California was rerouted through Wyoming when Union Pacific closed its tracks along I-70.”
White Christmas for Colorado mountains
Skiing expected to be good for travelers who can get to the slopes By Kristen Wyatt Associated Press
Posted: 12/22/2010 12:13:16 AM MST
