The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-08
like A NEWPORT HOUSE
The Huge Snow Blower Used on
Western Railroads.
HOW THEY HANDLE THE SNOW
a Casual Observer Might Think That He
Had Encountered a Dining Car Way
Out In the wilderness, But IL Isn't
such a Machine.

The beauties OF snow blockade on the
railroad are not prominently exemplified
in New England states as rule. Occa-
sionally passengers are treated to the
questionable pleasure of knowing that
their train has come TO an indefinite halt
which must be endured with the best pos
sible grace until squad OF "hobos,"
armed with breech- loading shovels, can
be detailed TO the scene and wage wa
upon the frozen breastworks OF bellig-
erent JACK Frost, but the episode
is of such infrequent occurrence
as to be a matter OF trivial import ance.
This is due not only 10 the fact that Snow
storms in the East rarely assume m agni-
tudinous proportions, but also TO the eX-
istence o. smaller roads involving Il
greater amount OF capital per mile and the
consequent operation OF more elab rate
system OF track superintendence which
enable the Eastern roads 10 maintain n
better system OF preparation for emer-
pency But the Westerner who has
had the opportunity for indulging in
little railroad itineracy has very differ
ent tale of woe TO rehearse. With him
mid winter Journey involves a serious
question as to whether he VIII
ride out the full mileage assured
by his ticket, or whether IL Will
be necessary for him to dsembark az
some inconvenient point and accompli sn
the remainder OF his tour by ineaus OF
the motive power that nature bestowed
upon him at birth.
Unti the last six or seven years
Western railroads possessed no ade-
eSste . means ;ns,osd Of overcoming the the
tunate snow storm. II a train en-
encountered heavy drift IL had no re-
source but to sit down and wait until
Spring opened or a relay of section men
could be mustered at the scenee to re
move the impediment by the old-fash-
the severe storms Of the early sos
the problem assumed such gigan-
tic proportions that railroad geniuses
perceived the necessity OF devising
some method by which the enemy could
be combated on a paying basis. Rail.
roads had begun To penetrate unsettled
districts where heavy snow storms are
the fashion, and the iron horse had found
an opponent that set at naught his most
defiant snorts. Railroad presidents tacaled
the problem first, but the storm king
laugh he'd at their whereases and whereforcs
aud continued unmolested the task of
holding up unwary trains. Then the
officials in despair turned to that indis-
pensable adjunct of railway prosperity,
the master Car builder,
This useful gentleman deals in facts,
not theories. With mathe matical intui-
tion he grasped the then but family com
pretended truth that an excess of inertia
cannot be overcome by deficiency
OF momentum. Having fully assimi-
lated this important proposition he set
10 work on scientific basis. Instead of
trying TO shove the snow bodily from
the track by brute force, he proposed to
dissect 1t piecemeal, aud cast the frag-
ments aside one aG a time. The FIRST
machine produced was crude affair.
buJ IL contained the germ of the idea, and
time and experience have improved IL un-
I'll ~ is now as near perfection as human
agency can make it.
The snow plow at present used on the
NorChern Pacific and the Great Northern
is a falr type OF the machines gradually
being adopted by all roads running
through snow-infested territory and not
IN the hands OF receiver. In general siz.
and outline IL resembles Newport
summer residence. At short distance a
'ear-sighted spectator would easily mis-
take IL Tor good-siZed house. La outline
1t Is a large, obiong box, mounted on
wheels which are propelled by n steam
sngine situated within. Through the roof
rUJects the smokestack and the curling
smoke issuing therefrom Is won't to in
fuse footsofe pedestrians with de-
lusiye ideas concerning mytni.
Cal ulnner IN course OF preparation
within. In front liz a huge conical scre
inclined TO the horizontal at an angle of
about 40 degrees, the pointed end pro-
Jecting forward at distance of about
six or eight inches from the plaae OF tue |
rails. This screw is geared 20 the engine
within and Is made TO revolve at a slow |
speed as the machine advances along |
the track. The snow is picked up !
from the track in front. ele. |
waited by the circular motion TO |
the top of the screw aud thence uncere- |
moniously dumped out of window in the |
side OF the box to the ground below. In. |
side the machine is fixed out with all the |
of home, kitchen, sleeping room |
ana other accessories Of civilization being |
all provided In the latest style. Fro. n
Blk To ten men are necessary to man the
craft. It's progress through s drift is nor |
exactly rapid, but in view of the amount
OF snow removed, IL certainly
an incredible amount 6f |
work IL leaves the track perfectly clear
small shovel is suspended back of the
screw which clears away what little
snow is not otherwise removed When
the drifts are found To be unusually
stubborn IL is customary to couple a
lot omotive behind the machine 10 assist
In pushing IL ahead.
he cost OF such plow varies from |
t4O,VOO To 500, 600, according to size and
equipment. In consequences there are as
Yet very Few OF theth in operation. but
their immeasurable utility and the de-
mands for Increased facilities of traffic
are rapidly forcing them into favor even
NItD roads that are ulAbla IN nav "a |