Union Pacific Railroad Stereograph View, "Digging Out a Train from a Snow Drift," circa 1875
THF120726 / Union Pacific Railroad Stereograph View, "Digging Out a Train from a Snow Drift," circa 1875
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Artifact Overview
For a railroad, heavy snowdrifts were more than mere inconveniences. When snow blocked the track, trains didn't run and money was lost. If a passenger train got stuck in a blizzard, the situation could turn deadly. Ideally, the track could be cleared with a large plow pushed by a locomotive. In some cases, though, hand shoveling was the only option.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Stereograph
Date Made
circa 1875
Collection Title
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
82.129.658
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Technique
Albumen process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Green
Dimensions
Length: 3.375 in
Width: 6.938 in
Keywords |
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Related Content
SetWinter on the Railroad
- 5 Artifacts
This plow was one of 36 built by Canadian Pacific Railway's Angus Shops in Montreal between 1920 and 1929. It is a 20-ton, wedge-type plow made for use on a single track. Built without a self-contained power source, the snowplow was pushed by one or two locomotives. Although they are seldom seen in action, snowplows are necessary to keep trains moving in harsh winter weather.