[quote user=“Kootenay Central”]
Years ago the same result was accomplished by using
Hart Otis gondolas which had horizontally-hinged side
doors above the floor.
The material was unloaded on one side or the other
using a Lidgerwood Plow which was pulled thru the cars
from one end to the other on a cable from a steam
winch at the locomotive end.
The cars doors were unlatched on the side to be
dumped.
The plow blade could be swung from side to side before
dumping on side required.
If a lot of fill was required at a low spot, the train
would move along opposite the plow so the fill would
pile in one place.
On curves the cable would rub on reinforced car ends
inside the sides.
Hinged sheet metal plates swung down to cover the gap
at the car ends where the drawbars were.
A man with a flag rode the plow to signal winch
operator.
A Jordan spreader would then be used to trim the fill
to required contour.
Into the seventies, in Toronto, CNR used a Steam
Lidgerwood winch on shop steam to move yard engines
that were having their wheel treads profiled with
‘Cutters’ affixed where the brake shoes were normally.
Lidgerwood Train.
http://www.railroad.net/articles/railfanning/worktrains/media/MW_05.jpg
Jordan Spreader, Water Car for Locomotive, Locomotive,
Lidgerwood Winch, Cars of fill.
Plow would be in car furthest away to be pulled
towards Lidgerwood and locomotive, ending up on flat
car which then would be remarshalled to far end a