Russell Snow Plow

This is a photo of a Wisconsin Central Ltd. snow plow, which was awaiting duty in Gladstone, Michigan. The plate reads "RUSSELL, SNOW PLOW CO, RIDGWAY PA, R 1291 BUILDER". (Built 1937)
A single-track Russell snow plow built by the Russell Snow Plow Company in Ridgway, PA. Single-track plows are split down the middle are designed to push the snow to both sides of the track. Double-track plows are designed to throw the snow to the right-hand side of the track only. The door gives the operator access to the plow. The cupola in the front of the plow gives an operator full view of the track ahead since a locomotive would couple up behind the plow and push it down the track through the snow.
Railroading is hard and dangerous work, but even more so in the winter months. Snow plays havoc with operations, often bringing an entire line to a standstill. Ice can freeze switch points into a solid mass or build up so deep in the rail flange that cars and locos will derail.
Since the first days of railroading, keeping the line open has been backbreaking job. At first, crews dug out the tracks with picks and shovels. Later, small pilot plows were fitted on engines during the colder months. When the snow was light and reasonable speed could be maintained, these plows were adequate. But for deep or drifting snow, some roads outfitted their biggest engines with huge plows that stretched to the headlight.
Deep and frequent snows all but stopped construction of the Central Pacific in the winter of 1865. Pilot plows couldn't begin to handle the enormous drifts. The following winter, the first Bucker plow was tried out. This was basically a big wooden box, riding on freight trucks, and fitted with a large, wedge shaped front. At first three and later six engines (more were added if needed) were coupled behind the plow. The train would get a running start to drive the plow into the drifts, pushing snow up and away from the tracks. An operator (no doubt a very brave fellow!) rode on an open platform at the rear of the car, passing hand signals to the engineer of the lead engine.
While this design was quite and effective and widely copied, it created huge walls of hard-packed snow next to the right-of-way. The next storm would fill in the plowed sections, and the walls made it impossible to move the snow away from the rail. Various types of spreaders or pushers were the next development. These cars used a pair of large, braced wings (which could be folded against the car for transport) to push the snow back from both sides of the right-of-way.
The Bucker also did nothing to remove snow and ice from between the rails, which had to done to prevent derailments. Another machine, called a flanger, was developed. This was basically a car equipped with a large shaped mold board. This rode the edges of the rails, breaking loose accumulations of snow and ice. An operator had to ride the car, raising and lowering the flanger wherever there was an obstruction in the rails.
Railroads were always seeking more economical ways to fight snow, so it wasn't long before all three designs were combined into one car. By the early 1900's, the Russell Car and Snow Plow Company of Ridgeway, Pennsylvania, was a leading supplier of wedge type plows. The design had been modernized with a cupola and seats for an operator, headlight for night operations and a pair of air activated side wings to push snow up and away from the side of the tracks. Wooden bodies were still common, but within a few years, all steel plows had proven to be more durable. Both single track (as depicted by this model) and double track (which had one side of the blade enclosed to prevent snow from being pushed on to an adjacent track) were offered. Russell continued supplying steel plows to virtually every railroad that fought snow until early 1950's.
Since they only see seasonal use, which varies according to the severity of the winter, and were built tough, many of these veteran snow fighters are still in service. Often the only modifications have been a conversion to diesel type headlights, installation of radios and the addition of an MU plug at the back to provide electrical power. Air for the wings and brakes is supplied by the locomotive, and some roads have equipped engines for plow service.
In operations, plows are run as extra trains, but usually have rights over all other trains on the line, because of their important mission. If things are bad enough, they may be the only trains moving at all! Weather and track condition reports are made by area trains crews, and the plows are will be ordered by the chief dispatcher when conditions warrant. The crews are well trained and include the plow operator, the division roadmaster (who knows the geography and track conditions firsthand), and the engine crew. Usually several crews are trained to provide relief if conditions persist. In the steam era, a camp car with a gang of workers and a tool car carrying shovels and repair parts, often accompanied the plow. If the plow became stuck or the drift was too deep, the crew would shovel away the snow by hand until the plow could handle the job. Today, construction equipment will be brought in to clear the line if the plows can't handle it.
The "Russells" as they're called, are considered a vital part of the work train fleet, and are either painted in standard maintenance colors, or sport a bright scheme to contrast with the snow for added safety. In snow country, each division of a railroad will usually be assigned at least one plow (and possibly a flanger to handle lighter storms) which is kept at a strategic terminal.
To be most effective in removing snow, wedge plows must operate at high speeds sometimes as fast as 50 mph and if a spotter does not know the territory or loses focus disasters and derailments can occur as they must constantly be on the lookout for upcoming obstacles (such as crossings, where the plow must be lifted so as not damage and derail the equipment). Interestingly, sometimes in areas which receive large amounts of snow railroads will place markers at crossings, and other ground obstacles, high enough that even in the deepest snow a crew can know exactly where and when a crossing is located.
The Russell Snow Plow was simply a large plow attached to the front of a rail car. The car consisted of three parts; the forward plow, the elevated control booth, and a rear car. Besides the main forward plow, the Russell was also equipped with a pair of wing plows that could be extended out over the sides of the tracks to clear more room along the right of way.


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