Bnsf Electric snowplow

Googling around, it seems most BNSF rotaries have a refitted B-unit to supply power.

It also appears there's at least one BNSF rotary that is self-contained.

Rusty

I like the looks of that self contained unit - but how do you see to reverse?  It must have a camera.  Pretty interesting with a 3 axle truck under the plow end and a2 axle truck on the other end.

@jhz563 posted:

I like the looks of that self contained unit - but how do you see to reverse?  It must have a camera.  Pretty interesting with a 3 axle truck under the plow end and a2 axle truck on the other end.

The other crew member providing either on ground protection or riding “on point” protection

@jhz563 posted:

I like the looks of that self contained unit - but how do you see to reverse?  It must have a camera.  Pretty interesting with a 3 axle truck under the plow end and a2 axle truck on the other end.

From what I was able to find, 972554 is self powered for both the rotary and travel.  It was rebuilt into this configuration in 2012.  The six wheel truck is likely to make the front more stable when clearing snow and distribute the weight of the plow mechanism.

Rusty

Interesting machine - the "self-contained" version.  Might it have been rebuilt from a locomotive, with a rotary mechanism grafted on?  The rotary mechanism looks quite old - perhaps 100+ years?

Think I saw 972551 in Lincoln, NE about 20 years ago. It is a rebuilt 100+ year old rotary, I believe.  Could be the oldest, or one of the oldest, pieces of railroad equipment in use today.