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Truckee Donner Railroad Society

Keeping Truckee Railroads Alive!

Rotary Snow Plow Delivered

Since the early days of the the First Transcontinental Railroad snow removal over Donner Summit has been essential to the success of the railroad. Used as the last resort after the flanger and spreader, the rotary snow plow comes to the rescue in the biggest storms. Rotary Snowblower was a designated special train “SPE – SSTK24”. There were two locomotives on it, number 8411 and 4159

Below: Rotary snow plow arriving in Truckee.

rotary arriving in Truckee

Below: Rotary being switched in to its home at the museum.

rotary snow plow

Below: The business end of the snow plow.

rotary snow plow business end

Snow Removal over the summit
Watch this informative 8 minute video on snow removal over Donner Summit. Understand the Flanger, Spreader and Rotary plows and when they are used.

More Rotary Pictures
See more pictures of the rotary snow plow.

Museum Progress
Check out the progress of the museum.