Snow Plow in Hagerman Pass, Colorado, circa 1895

Summary

Rotary snowplows were a railroad's most sophisticated offense against winter. The massive machines cleared drifted snow from the track. An on-board steam engine powered two sets of fan blades. The first set dug into the snow, while the second threw the snow off to the side. Rotary plows were not self-propelled, so a separate locomotive pushed from behind.

Rotary snowplows were a railroad's most sophisticated offense against winter. The massive machines cleared drifted snow from the track. An on-board steam engine powered two sets of fan blades. The first set dug into the snow, while the second threw the snow off to the side. Rotary plows were not self-propelled, so a separate locomotive pushed from behind.

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

circa 1895

Subject Date

circa 1885

Creators

Jackson, William Henry, 1843-1942 

Detroit Photographic Co. 

Place of Creation

United States, Michigan, Detroit 

Creator Notes

Photographed by William Henry Jackson, and published by Detroit Photographic Co., Detroit, Michigan.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

P.DPC.014141

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 7 in

Width: 9.25 in

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