Wedge Plows -- "Standard" Designs
Wedge, or "V", plows are a mainstay of the snowfighting fleet. They are
also among the simplest pieces of snowfighting equipment. Wedge plows may
by symmetric, throwing snow to both sides (for single-track lines), or
they may throw snow only to one side (for double-track lines). Most
wedges have "wings" to allow them to clear a wider path, and many have
flangers.
The plows in this section are the more-or-less "standard" designs.
See Wedge Plows Part 2 for unusual, homebuilt,
converted and very old plows.
Missouri Pacific 186 wearing a Union Pacific herald at Villa
Grove, Ill, on 11 August 1989. A perfect example of the
conventional US Russell plow, the large wings are clearly visible, set
into the body just behind the "V" blade.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
ex-Soo 261 on the Wisconsin Central at Stevens Point, 14 June
1989. Another typical US plow, this one clearly shows the wings
cut away at the lower corners to clear trackside obstructions.
A flanger is visible just ahead of the rear truck.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Conrail 64524, 64570 and 64515 at Gangs Mills, NY, July 1996.
These plows are part of Conrail's large snowfighting fleet; most
of CR's plows seem to be of very conventional design.
Photo: John Stewart
Closeup of CR 64524 at Gangs Mills, NY, July 1996.
Photo: John Stewart
Closeup of CR 64570 at Gangs Mills, NY, July 1996.
This is a double-track plow, throwing snow only to the right.
Photo: John Stewart
Closeup of CR 64515 at Gangs Mills, NY, July 1996.
Photo: John Stewart
Conrail 64513 at Rochester, NY, 14 Feb 1996.
Photo: John Stewart
Conrail 64525 at Rochester, NY, 14 Feb 1996.
Photo: John Stewart
Rochester & Southern MW2 at Rochester, NY, 12 Feb 1996.
This is a very typical US plow.
Photo: John Stewart
Another view of R&S MW2 at Rochester, March 1996.
Photo: John Stewart
Western New York Chapter, National Railway Historical Society's
plow at Hamburg, NY. The plow is in primer in preparation for
painting. Mau 1996.
Photo: John Stewart
WNY NRHS's plow after repainting, at Hamburg, August 1996.
Photo: John Stewart
Belfast & Mooshead Lake #74 at Belfast, Maine. #74 is a
double-track plow; it throws snow only to the right side. This
plow is a "standard" double-track plow, corresponding to the
two "standard" single-track plows above. Such a plow seems a bit
extravagent for single-track coastal shortline.
Photo: Andrew Toppan
Chicago & Northwestern 6421 at Janesville, WI, 20 Feb 1994.
C&NW's double-track plows throw snow to the left, due to C&NW's left-hand
running.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
New Jersey Transit plow #9931R at Summit, NJ, 29 March 1995.
This is a relatively modern double-track plow. It is turned on
wyes at West End and Denville so it can plow the double and triple
track line.
Photo: Gary Kazin
Delware-Lackawanna wedge at Steamtown, Feb 1996.
This is a Canadian-style plow.
Photo: John Stewart
Depew, Lancaster & Western 400783 at Lancaster, NY, May 1996.
Photo: Ted Cherry, courtesy of John Stewart
Algoma Central 10105 at Sault St. Marie, Ontario, 12 Aug 1992.
The fold-out wings, meant to push back snowbanks beyond the plow's width,
are visible just behind the cupola.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Canadian National 55203 at Capreol, Ontario, 28 Dec 1993.
A newly painted single-track plow of typical Canadian design, showing
its wings.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Canadian National 55204 at Capreol, Ontario, 28 Dec 1993.
This plow appears to be identical to the previous one.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Canadian Pacific 40065 being restored at the Monticello RR
Museum, Monticello, IL, 16 Aug 1993. Apparently this is
an early double-track plow, meant to throw snow to the right only,
but not fully closed off on the left side.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
A line of CP wedge plows at Calgary, Canada, summer 1997.
Photo: Alan Radecki
Canadian Pacific 400777 with CP spreader 401200 at North Bay, Ontario,
29 Dec 1993.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Canadian Pacific 401007 at Sudbury, Ontario, 30 Dec 1993.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Ontario Northland 559 and another plow at North Bay, Ontario, 20 Dec
1993.
Photo: Dan Dawdy
Ontario Northland 554 at North Bay, Ontario, 20 Dec 1993
Photo: Dan Dawdy
St. Lawrence & Raquette River RR's ex-CP wedge plow.
Photo: Mark Laundry
St. Lawrence & Raquette River RR's ex-CP wedge plow.
Photo: Mark Laundry
This feature created and maintained by Andrew Toppan.
Copyright © 1997, Andrew Toppan. All Rights Reserved.
All photographs are copyright by the photographer.