Jordan Spreaders
The next step up from the wedge plows on the snowfighting ladder are
the Jordan Spreaders. Spreaders are generally large, complex pieces
of equipment, and they may carry a variety of snow removal devices.
Most spreaders have a large front plow blade. The lower sections of
the blade may be hinged to allow them to push light snow to only
one side. There may also be extension wings off the front blade.
All spreaders have large side wings or arms, which can push snow well
clear of the tracks. A "broken wing" spreader has pivoting extensions on
the side arms to clear a wider swath or clear deeper snow. Many speaders
also have flangers. Spreaders are the largest pieces of snow removal
equipment to see frequent service.
Click on the inline image to view the full-sized image. All images
are copyright by the photographers.
Chicago & Northwestern (Union Pacific) 11991 at Gukeen, MN, 13 January
1997. This ex-C&NW spreader was recently used to open the Fairmont
Branch after heavy snow and high winds blocked the line with drifts. The
crew has stopped to clear the plow after pushing through a 12 foot snow
drift; later this day they will encounter 15 foot drifts. This spreader
is based at Mason City, Iowa.
Photo: K. Schmidt
Union Pacific 903032 at Emmett, Idaho. This broken-wing spreader
shows an impressive front plow.
Photo: Bryan Loftin
Front view of UP 903032 at Emmett, Idaho.
Photo: Bryan Loftin
Union Pacific Jordan at the Portola (CA) museum, summer 1996.
Photo: Alan Radecki
Western Pacific spreader at Keddie, CA, in the mid 1970's.
Photo: Frank Radecki, courtesy of Alan Radecki
Southern Pacific Jordan Spreaders (numbers ?). Part of SP's
legendary snowfighting fleet, this spreader shows the rotating windows
designed to preserve the crew's view in heavy snowfall. These
two spreaders are smallish fixed-wing pieces.
Photo: Jim Bryant
Southern Pacific MW4030 at Roseville, CA, 17 August 1996.
A member of SP's legendary snowfighting fleet, this spreader now works for
Union Pacific.
Photo: Evan Werkema
Santa Fe 199246 at Richmond, CA, 5 April 1996.
This was ATSF's oldest spreader at the time of the BNSF merger; it was
built in 1957. In this view it is working on a ballast train.
Photo: Evan Werkema
ATSF 199237 at Albuquerque, NM, 16 April 1983.
This old spreader, build in 1930, was retired two years later, in
1985. It is officially listed as a Jordan Ditcher, presumably due to
the small blades at the front, which may be used for ditching/ballast
work.
Photo: Evan Werkema
Denver & Rio Grande Western AX-41 at Minturn, CO, 3 Aug 1987
Photo: Evan Werkema
Broadside view of Conrail 64633 at Meadville, PA in May 1994.
Conrail maintains an impressive fleet of snowfighting equipment, including
the oldest operational rotary plow.
Photo: Larry Smith
Left-side view of CR 64633 at Meadville, PA in May 1994.
Photo: Larry Smith
Front view of CR 64633 at Meadville, PA in May 1994.
Photo: Larry Smith
Derilect Jordan Spreader on the Gettysburg Railroad, July 1994.
This small spreader has clearly seen better days.
Photo: Larry Smith
Soo Line RD816 at Marquette, MI, on 28 Sept 1986.
This is a relatively small spreader, but it features a large plow blade
and "broken" wings.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
US Army spreader SN85 at the Army Transportation Museum, Ft. Eustis,
VA, April 1995 This spreader has an unusual cab, apparently
a custom-built affair.
Photo: Keith Ranker
Rear view of US Army SN85, April 1995.
Photo: Keith Ranker
Buffalo Southern spreader at Hamburg, NY. This is a very
unusual spreader, not a Jordan; it may be homeuilt.
Photo: John Stewart
Buffalo Southern (ex-D&H) spreader at Eden, NY, 28 December 1996.
This Jordan, well equipped for snowfighting, still bears the markings
of its former owner.
Photo: John Stewart
Another view of Buffalo Southern's ex-D&H spreader at Eden, 28 December
1996.
Photo: John Stewart
Ontario Midland spreader at Sodus, NY.
This spreader is about as small as they come, completely lacking front
blades.
Photo: John Stewart
Rock Island (CRIP) Jordan north of Burlington, Iowa, January 1980.
This was Rock Island's last winter; the railroad closed down a few
months after this photo was taken.
Photo: SEDD@aol.com
Wisconsin Southern's ex-BN spreader at Janesville, WI, 5/1996.
This spreader was previously BN 972624.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Jordan Spreader cabride.
View from the cab of a Jordan Spreader on an unspecified railroad.
Canadian National 50948 at Capreol, Ontario, 28 Dec 1993
This view shows the front plow blade, spreader arm and "broken wing"
clearly. The "broken wing" can be rotated to a horizonatal position
to extend the spreader arm, or used in the vertical position (shown)
in deep snow or narrow clearances.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Canadian National 50957 at Capreol, Ontario, 28 Dec 1993
Another good view of the workings of the spreader.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Canadian National 50957. A small spreader is coupled behind;
see below.
Photo: Paul Duncan
Canadian National 51041 This is a small spreader, having no front
blades, only spreader wings. It is similar to the smaller of the
two spreaders in the photo above.
Photo: Paul Duncan
Canadian Pacific 401200 with CP plow 400777, North Bay, Ontario, 29 Dec
1993 This is another small spreader, equipped with a low front blade.
a
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Canadian Pacific 402895. This view shows the great length of
a fully-equipped Jordan spreader. The spreader appears to be in
maintenance serivce -- note the ballast cars trailing behind.
Spreaders are often used for right-of-way maintenance in the
non-snow season.
Photo: Paul Duncan
CP spreader #402870, summer 1997.
Photo: Alan Radecki
This feature created and maintained by Andrew Toppan.
Copyright © 1997, Andrew Toppan. All Rights Reserved.
All photographs are copyright by the photographer.