Simple questions. Does Union Pacific still have their rotarie snow plows for Donner Pass? Have they been used at all the past couple of winters? I have only seen pictures of them rusting away at Roseville. I know that UP restored a spreader last year with new controls and even painted in the old SP orange. Would be nice to see them restored at least a coat of paint would be nice if they are still using them. If their not then donate them to some museums.
The only rotory that I know of is stationed at Cheyenne Wyo. I was used to help clear the old Kansa s Pacific line across Kansa last year I an mot too sure if it ventures out from its home base very often Larry
Answer. The Union Pacific has five rotaries at Roseville. Two are probably the most active for possible use as they were fired up last year and tested for action if needed. The UP checks them out each October and runs them with the steam generators going full blast. It is a sight to see and hear since them blow the whistle also. They have not been used on the HIll for several years because the snow could be handled by the flangers. The year, we had a lot of snow but it was over several storms and the flangers worked out of Roseville and Truckee.
The steam generators provide steam to melt the ice from the blades and other working areas, but the rotary power is diesel electric. These units are checked each year and retained because they will be needed. There is a working rotary at Portola that has the B unit also in the museum, but could be used if needed on the FRC line.
CZ
October 17, 2008 I missed the test in late 2009 but read about it on Trainorders.
That has to be a sight to see. Is that part of some rail event in October that is open to the public? Wow that is funny a museum has a rotary that could still be called to duty. I picture how that call goes. “Say Peter this is Uncle Pete calling. Say you know that rotary you have on display? Yeah say I think we are going to need you to fire is up for us on Saturday, and hey why don’t you plan on working Sunday too, yeah that will be great.” If Bill Lumberg ( Office Space) were working for UP.
It sounds like they are old and spend alot of time sitting waiting, and they may not get used everyday or every year, but when they call comes they are irreplaceable and do a great job at what it was they were built to do. Its amazing someting so old still serves a major class I railroad in these modern days. Best part is they still have the steam whistle.
Does UP have a special group that is assigned to the rotaries? I’m guessing that its got to take some pratice to learn the ins and outs of these machines.
Cheers
As far as I know, the rotary at Portola has not been used by the Union Pacific since the FRC line does not get as much snow in general as Donner gets each year. The rotaries at Roseville set on a house track year in and year out but are checked out for operation before each major snow storm, usually the first one in October. The crews run the diesel (F7B) and check out the steam generators and in general, have them in possible operation status for a day or two.
They moved one of the b units for some kind of work in the shops two years ago for a week or so. I don’t know what kind of work was done, but it was in the shops without the rotary during that time.
During the 2008 November storm, two rotaries with two new
Ahhhh longing for snow again.[dinner][B)] We had a popcorn fart of a winter here in Wisconsin this year, I really need to make a trip out to Donner Pass and Truckee in the winter. Maybe next year the wife has a trade show to go to in San Francisco so maybe… [:P] That snow looked so wonderful in the above pictures. I know its not even summer and I am ready for winter. Anybody know if there are any webcams that I might be able to pick up the Sierra snow ops or and internet raido frequency out that might broadcast it?