 Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC) Posts: 1,160
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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  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.
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 6 users liked this useful post by bph
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 Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,437 Location: Switzerland
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Nice to watch.  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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2 users liked this useful post by Unholz
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Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC) Posts: 1,160
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Originally Posted by: Unholz  Nice to watch. 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 :)
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 Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: England, South Coast
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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!)
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Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,437 Location: Switzerland
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Originally Posted by: Michael4
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/
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Joined: 02/02/2017(UTC) Posts: 694 Location: England, South Coast
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Thank you so much, now I can join our family eating the Christmas left overs just a little wiser!
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Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,437 Location: Switzerland
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1 user liked this useful post by Unholz
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 Joined: 28/11/2007(UTC) Posts: 8,240 Location: Montreal, QC
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Snow plow? Who needs a snow plow? Regards Mike C
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2 users liked this useful post by mike c
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,489 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,437 Location: Switzerland
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And here an even more impressive and long video of the inaugural snow blowing event:
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8 users liked this useful post by Unholz
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Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC) Posts: 1,160
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Thank you Unholz for the video, its nice to see it completely restored, very nice job. 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_snow_clearing.mp4 (1,766kb) downloaded 55 time(s).
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3 users liked this useful post by bph
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Joined: 31/08/2007(UTC)
Posts: 414
Location: Kennesaw, GA
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Originally Posted by: Unholz 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.
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Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,437 Location: Switzerland
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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-avalancheFilmed example of an avalanche near Realp where our rotary snow plow is stationed:
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1 user liked this useful post by Unholz
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Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,437 Location: Switzerland
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1 user liked this useful post by Unholz
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,489 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,437 Location: Switzerland
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The former SBB Gotthard rotary snow blower built by Henschel (mentioned above) is now ready for use again:
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4 users liked this useful post by Unholz
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Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC) Posts: 1,160
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5 users liked this useful post by bph
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 Joined: 04/12/2013(UTC) Posts: 2,263 Location: Hobart, Australia
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Originally Posted by: bph In discussing above with a friend he sent me this interesting clip (also for cat fanciers) :
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4 users liked this useful post by PJMärklin
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Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,437 Location: Switzerland
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Wow, very nice - but don't watch till the very last minute! 
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1 user liked this useful post by Unholz
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,489 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Joined: 29/07/2007(UTC) Posts: 1,437 Location: Switzerland
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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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7 users liked this useful post by Unholz
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 Joined: 01/03/2008(UTC) Posts: 2,883 Location: South Western France
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Originally Posted by: Unholz 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!
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Jacques Vuye aka Dr.Eisenbahn
Once a vandal, learned to be better and had great success! |
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Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC) Posts: 14,875 Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square
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1 user liked this useful post by river6109
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 Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,928 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,489 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: river6109 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  ).
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Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC) Posts: 1,160
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Originally Posted by: kiwiAlan 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 ). 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.  From the rear  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.  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.  Here is a picture from the winter test of the older BM71 airport express 
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1 user liked this useful post by bph
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