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Offline bph  
#1 Posted : 22 December 2019 16:11:18(UTC)
bph

Norway   
Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC)
Posts: 985
Came across this old Norwegian newsreel, showing a NSB type 3 Henschel Rotary snowplough, being pushed by 2x NSB 63a (br 52). It’s also an additional snowplough in the rear. The comments are in Norwegian but it’s quite understandable without. The video is from Saltfjellet mountain pass, (just north of the polar circle). The line had been closed after a snow blizzard, snow was 5 meter at the deepest. Switches are cleared manually to avoid derailments. Interestingly, the commentator notes, that the Henschel is to weak, and that they are getting a stronger one from the Bergenline. (probably NSB type 2 no 4, by Thunes Norway). The clip ends a bit abruptly.

Video Link: https://tv.nrk.no/serie/filmavisen/1949/FMAA49001649/avspiller#t=3m8s (click on no 2 Saltfjellet, if it don’t start automatically)

Photo: NSB no 6, with 2x NSB 63a, Photo by:Norwegian Railway Museum
http://www.hovland.net/bilder/diverse/Roterende_sn%C3%B8plog_nr_6.png

Second video is showing a newsreel of snow clearing on the Bergen line in 1948. Its done by the NSB Rotary snowplough type 1 and 2. ( Made by by Thunes Norway). This also in Norwegian. In the start of the clip you can see a lengthman, measuring the snow depth. The station in the heavy snow weather is Finse. The snowplough actually has to plough its way out of the engine shed. It’s has own propulsion but is pushed by a single NSB 63a. Later in the clip its from lower regions like Myrdal etc.

Video link: https://tv.nrk.no/serie/filmavisen/1948/FMAA48000948/avspiller#t=3m6s (click on no4 Finse, if it don’t start automatically)

The third clip from 1981, is showing a more modern Henschel diesel Rotary snowplow, type NSB DiR1. This clip is also from the Finse area. The DiR1 has it own propulsion but is pushed by a single NSB Di3.

Video link https://tv.nrk.no/serie/norge-rundt/1981/FREP40000481/avspiller#t=4m56s click on no 2 Finse, if it don’t start automatically)

Norlandline in modern day. Photo from Wikipedia.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/CargoNet_Di_12_Euro_4000_L%C3%B8nsdal_-_Bolna.jpg/1600px-CargoNet_Di_12_Euro_4000_L%C3%B8nsdal_-_Bolna.jpg
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Offline Unholz  
#2 Posted : 22 December 2019 20:32:45(UTC)
Unholz

Switzerland   
Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,391
Location: Switzerland
Nice to watch. ThumpUp

You might be interested to know that the narrow-gauge Rhaetian Railway (RhB) in Switzerland still has a rotary snow plow (built by SLM at Winterthur in 1910) which is occasionally used on the Bernina line:




A similar unit has recently been restored and might re-enter service on the Furka rack railway between Realp and Oberwald in the near future:

http://www.dampfschleuder.ch/r12-aktuell.html
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Offline bph  
#3 Posted : 25 December 2019 12:36:27(UTC)
bph

Norway   
Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC)
Posts: 985
Originally Posted by: Unholz Go to Quoted Post
Nice to watch. ThumpUp

You might be interested to know that the narrow-gauge Rhaetian Railway (RhB) in Switzerland still has a rotary snow plow (built by SLM at Winterthur in 1910) which is occasionally used on the Bernina line:

A similar unit has recently been restored and might re-enter service on the Furka rack railway between Realp and Oberwald in the near future:

http://www.dampfschleuder.ch/r12-aktuell.html


Thanks for the videos, I’m a big steam fan :)
Online Michael4  
#4 Posted : 26 December 2019 10:52:21(UTC)
Michael4

United Kingdom   
Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
Posts: 637
Location: England, South Coast
Fascinating images!

I know very little about snow, can you explain why the trailing plough at the back appears to be pushing snow back onto the line?

(In Britain we just use blokes in overcoats with spades...we are always prepared!)
Offline Unholz  
#5 Posted : 26 December 2019 11:56:06(UTC)
Unholz

Switzerland   
Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,391
Location: Switzerland
Originally Posted by: Michael4 Go to Quoted Post

I know very little about snow, can you explain why the trailing plough at the back appears to be pushing snow back onto the line?

The trailing plow sort of widens the clearance (for safety reasons and also to prevent too narrow sections where the snow soon flows in again from the sides) and pulls the snow which is adjacent to the tracks towards the center where it can then be efficiently thrown out far by a following second Rotary snow blower.

The Norwegians invented the system, and here are some images how the people on the Swiss Bernina line of the RhB copied and refined it: https://www.berninabahn.ch/rollm...x-1002-r%C3%A4umer-9132/
Online Michael4  
#6 Posted : 26 December 2019 12:29:37(UTC)
Michael4

United Kingdom   
Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC)
Posts: 637
Location: England, South Coast
Thank you so much, now I can join our family eating the Christmas left overs just a little wiser!
Offline Unholz  
#7 Posted : 11 December 2020 21:59:05(UTC)
Unholz

Switzerland   
Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,391
Location: Switzerland
Switzerland actually has a "new" rotary snow plow!

A team headed by Martin Horath has completely restored and revived this old Rhaetian Railway (RhB) machine Xrot. R. 12 during no less than 18 years, and it has now commenced service on the steam railway "Furka Bergstrecke" DFB. Here a video showing its first day in action: https://www.facebook.com...alink/10158112856988406/

More about the history of this monster here: http://www.dampfschleuder.ch/geschichte.html
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Offline mike c  
#8 Posted : 12 December 2020 05:15:37(UTC)
mike c

Canada   
Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC)
Posts: 7,880
Location: Montreal, QC
Snow plow? Who needs a snow plow?



Regards

Mike C
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Offline kiwiAlan  
#9 Posted : 12 December 2020 15:48:54(UTC)
kiwiAlan

United Kingdom   
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
Posts: 8,082
Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
Originally Posted by: mike c Go to Quoted Post
Snow plow? Who needs a snow plow?


I think I got to a count of 100 wagons behind it, and even if they were all empty it would still be a respectable tonnage that would just keep pushing if the going got tough, so no wonder it ended up with such a bow wave ... BigGrin BigGrin BigGrin

Bit it must be quite a leap of faith for the driver approaching a railway crossing like that when he can't see because of the snow bow wave covering the wind screen. Just keep blasting the horn and hope there is no silly motorist at the crossing I guess. Scared

Offline Unholz  
#10 Posted : 13 December 2020 19:34:20(UTC)
Unholz

Switzerland   
Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,391
Location: Switzerland
And here an even more impressive and long video of the inaugural snow blowing event:

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Offline bph  
#11 Posted : 14 December 2020 23:25:04(UTC)
bph

Norway   
Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC)
Posts: 985
Thank you Unholz for the video, its nice to see it completely restored, very nice job.ThumpUp

Here is another video from Norway, showing a Nohab Di3 clearing snow on the Bergen line. (Marklin 37662)
(video in the link below)
Nohab_di3.jpg
Nohab_Di3_snow_clearing.mp4 (1,766kb) downloaded 45 time(s).


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Offline DTaylor91  
#12 Posted : 15 December 2020 10:29:36(UTC)
DTaylor91


Joined: 31/08/2007(UTC)
Posts: 414
Location: Kennesaw, GA
Originally Posted by: Unholz Go to Quoted Post
And here an even more impressive and long video of the inaugural snow blowing event:



What a great video! I wonder though, how big a concern are possible avalanches? Especially considering the noise.
Offline Unholz  
#13 Posted : 15 December 2020 19:31:53(UTC)
Unholz

Switzerland   
Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,391
Location: Switzerland
Certainly an interesting question regarding the danger of avalanches, because these are common in that particular part of our country. Some general advice about when and where avalanches must be expected is listed here: https://www.graubuenden....cognise-danger-avalanche

Filmed example of an avalanche near Realp where our rotary snow plow is stationed:
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Offline Unholz  
#14 Posted : 18 January 2021 11:37:44(UTC)
Unholz

Switzerland   
Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,391
Location: Switzerland
Transfer of the former Gotthard steam rotary snow blower (not in service condition) from Arth-Goldau to Brugg. This machine normally stands in the Transport Museum at Lucerne:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...EIo&feature=emb_logo
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bph
Offline kiwiAlan  
#15 Posted : 18 January 2021 13:16:54(UTC)
kiwiAlan

United Kingdom   
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
Posts: 8,082
Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
Originally Posted by: Unholz Go to Quoted Post
Transfer of the former Gotthard steam rotary snow blower (not in service condition) from Arth-Goldau to Brugg. This machine normally stands in the Transport Museum at Lucerne:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...EIo&feature=emb_logo


I think they need to level their turntable, the bridge seems to be a touch high ... BigGrin BigGrin BigGrin

Offline Unholz  
#16 Posted : 10 February 2021 11:57:54(UTC)
Unholz

Switzerland   
Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,391
Location: Switzerland
The former SBB Gotthard rotary snow blower built by Henschel (mentioned above) is now ready for use again:

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Offline bph  
#17 Posted : 14 February 2021 22:20:00(UTC)
bph

Norway   
Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC)
Posts: 985
Came across this very impressive Xrot 100 1:7.8 working scale model. (Modelleisenbahn-Club Einsiedeln)
https://www.mece.ch/gartenbahn-anlage/lokomotiven/xrot-d-100-gotthard-schneeschleuder-rotary/

https://www.mece.ch/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Xrot.jpg
Photo from: www.mece.ch

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Offline PJMärklin  
#18 Posted : 01 March 2021 01:03:00(UTC)
PJMärklin

Australia   
Joined: 04/12/2013(UTC)
Posts: 2,206
Location: Hobart, Australia
Originally Posted by: bph Go to Quoted Post
Came across this very impressive Xrot 100 1:7.8 working scale model. (Modelleisenbahn-Club Einsiedeln)
https://www.mece.ch/gartenbahn-anlage/lokomotiven/xrot-d-100-gotthard-schneeschleuder-rotary/
Photo from: www.mece.ch



In discussing above with a friend he sent me this interesting clip (also for cat fanciers) :

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Offline Unholz  
#19 Posted : 01 March 2021 07:23:48(UTC)
Unholz

Switzerland   
Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,391
Location: Switzerland
Wow, very nice - but don't watch till the very last minute! Crying
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Offline kiwiAlan  
#20 Posted : 01 March 2021 13:23:34(UTC)
kiwiAlan

United Kingdom   
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
Posts: 8,082
Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
Originally Posted by: Unholz Go to Quoted Post
Wow, very nice - but don't watch till the very last minute! Crying


Laugh Laugh I was more interested in watching the cat ...

Offline Unholz  
#21 Posted : 05 March 2021 13:16:14(UTC)
Unholz

Switzerland   
Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC)
Posts: 1,391
Location: Switzerland
This video doesn't show an old Henschel rotary snowplow, but a 90 year old self-propelled electric snowplow of the Arth-Rigi rack railway in Switzerland. This was a test run after a motor of the machine had to be repaired in the company's maintenance sheds:

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Offline jvuye  
#22 Posted : 05 March 2021 16:45:07(UTC)
jvuye

Belgium   
Joined: 01/03/2008(UTC)
Posts: 2,881
Location: South Western France
Originally Posted by: Unholz Go to Quoted Post
This video doesn't show an old Henschel rotary snowplow, but a 90 year old self-propelled electric snowplow of the Arth-Rigi rack railway in Switzerland. This was a test run after a motor of the machine had to be repaired in the company's maintenance sheds:


Very nice! Great video, thank you for sharing this Stefan!

Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success!
Offline river6109  
#23 Posted : 14 March 2021 07:06:31(UTC)
river6109

Australia   
Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC)
Posts: 14,636
Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
https://www.youtube.com/river6109
https://www.youtube.com/6109river
5 years in Destruction mode
50 years in Repairing mode
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Offline marklinist5999  
#24 Posted : 15 March 2021 13:07:07(UTC)
marklinist5999

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC)
Posts: 3,075
Location: Michigan, Troy
Blink
Originally Posted by: river6109 Go to Quoted Post
Confused Marklin is just now getting ready to release it's ice 4.

Offline kiwiAlan  
#25 Posted : 15 March 2021 14:23:33(UTC)
kiwiAlan

United Kingdom   
Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC)
Posts: 8,082
Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
Originally Posted by: river6109 Go to Quoted Post


well, with a nose like that I guess it will act as a high speed snow plough.

(Maybe that is why it is in the snowplough thread Confused Confused Confused ).
Offline bph  
#26 Posted : 20 March 2021 11:28:27(UTC)
bph

Norway   
Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC)
Posts: 985
Originally Posted by: kiwiAlan Go to Quoted Post

well, with a nose like that I guess it will act as a high speed snow plough.

(Maybe that is why it is in the snowplough thread Confused Confused Confused ).


With a nose like that, it will climb on compact snow and take off.

"lightweight" EMU train sets are not the best to punch through heavy snow.

This BM73 007 hit an avalanche and derailed in 2007. It was not caught in an ongoing one, but one that had settled and not been detected.
BM73_007_derail.jpg

From the rear
BFM73_107.jpg

The train hit the avalanche at only 55 km/h, (speed was reduced because of poor weather.) no one was injured seriously and all passengers were evacuated to the second train in the double configuration.

the train set received surprisingly little damage and was recovered in the spring and later returned to service.
BM73_007_recovery.jpg

The BM73 was approved for winter conditions, but DNV-GL had warned about serious consequences if the train hit an avalanche or compact snow.

One of the recommendations in the investigation report was to use trains with higher axle load, on the high mountain lines.
This accident caused controversy about using EMU train sets on the high mountain lines.

Last winter a train with a "proper" locomotive (EL 18) hit an avalanche on the Bergen line. it got stuck but did not derail. after it was freed it continued to bergen on its own power. The only visible damage was a slightly bent window viper.

the new airport express trains (BM78) have been fitted with a snowplow, and therefore have a slightly different front compared to the original Spanish CAF Oaris.
they are winter approved but will only be used in the areas around the main airport.
BM78_test.jpg

Here is a picture from the winter test of the older BM71 airport express
BM71_test.jpg
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