Snow Plow in Hagerman Pass, Colorado, circa 1895
THF113698 / Snow Plow in Hagerman Pass, Colorado, circa 1895
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Artifact Overview
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 Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
circa 1895
Subject Date
circa 1885
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Photographed by William Henry Jackson, and published by Detroit Photographic Co., Detroit, Michigan.
Collection Title
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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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.