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Author Topic: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?  (Read 11415 times)

Matthew Gustafson

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Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« on: December 10, 2008, 11:24:38 PM »
Could it be done? ???
« Last Edit: December 10, 2008, 11:32:51 PM by Ed Lecuyer »
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Ed Lecuyer

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2008, 11:34:38 PM »
Not without a plow for #10.

We did a double-headed plow train last winter. (Diesel and steam.) There are probably pics on the old forum.
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Matthew Gustafson

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2008, 11:37:33 PM »
Ive seen photos of it on www.NArails.com ;) :)
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Matt Latham

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2008, 11:38:23 PM »
Do you mean NERAIL? Lots of video on YouTube and pictures on NERAIL http://photos.nerail.org/show/?order=byrail&page=1&key=WW%26F. Search for WW&F.
« Last Edit: December 10, 2008, 11:46:36 PM by Matt Latham »
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Matthew Gustafson

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #4 on: December 10, 2008, 11:49:03 PM »
Yes thats the one! :D ;D
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Bill Piche

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #5 on: December 10, 2008, 11:53:35 PM »
Would #10 even be heavy enough to plow on her own in a heavy snow like the ones I saw on youtube last year? I would think that it would have a very tough time by itself even if it did have a plow.
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Matt Latham

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2008, 12:05:53 AM »
Quote from: Bill Piche on December 10, 2008, 11:53:35 PM
Would #10 even be heavy enough to plow on her own in a heavy snow like the ones I saw on youtube last year? I would think that it would have a very tough time by itself even if it did have a plow.

#10 is 12 Tons and #52 is 15 Tons so if #10 did have a plow, it's ability would be somewhat reduced when compared to #52. Ballpark it at 20% less would be my guess. And I am not taking tractive effort differences into account. Pure weight difference.
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Matthew Gustafson

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2008, 12:31:48 AM »
could #9 once its runing could plow the snow?  ??? :) 8)
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Matt Latham

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2008, 12:42:52 AM »
Quote from: Matthew Gustafson on December 11, 2008, 12:31:48 AM
could #9 once its runing could plow the snow?  ??? :) 8)

According to the WW&F Web site, #9 weighs 18 tons. By far the heaviest locomotive they have at this point in time. In theory, once they restore it to operating condition, and they put a plow on the front, it would be the best one for clearing snow when comparing all of them by weight. And using both #9 and #10 to clear snow would be a real fun to watch.

Of course when they build #11, (a replica of #7 that weighed 28 Tons), it would be the heaviest locomotive they have. 

All they need is money... And time...
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Mike Fox

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2008, 07:43:03 AM »
The problem then becomes one of weight on the drivers. #52 only has 2 akles, so all the weight is on thos two. #'s 9&10 have a a truck under the tender that helps distrubute the weight, so there is less weight on the drivers, theoretically. It was done in the past, before diesels, so I know it can be done again.
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Hans Brandes

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2008, 03:56:17 PM »
About 4 years ago we plowed with #4 by pushing our #1 (dead at the time) with the plow attached. This worked pretty well.

We are considering restoring our B&H plow car. If we put this on the east end of #1 it would allow plowing in both directions as the plow on #1 is bolted on to the west end and the plow is facing east. #4 could also push the plow eastbound but would have no plowing capability going westbound due to no wye, balloon track or turntable.
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Josh Botting

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #11 on: December 12, 2008, 08:40:00 PM »
With the boiler full, most of the weight rides on the drive wheels, so it may be a similar axle load on #52 and #9.

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Paul Horky

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Re: Steam snow plowing without a diesel?
« Reply #12 on: December 12, 2008, 11:02:03 PM »
Gentelmen something to concidder is much of the frame damage on #9 that is now being repaired probuble resoltes from it being used to plow snow. While a plow train with steam would be nice the damage to the engine may not be worth it. Beat up the diesel and even try to obtaine a second diesel. With 2 diesels about the same size and plows on both ends coupled cab to cab this would be a good plow train.

                                               Paul Horky
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