I was told the only thing they’re good at is euchre. They can’t handle a whole pinochle deck...
It was only a matter of time with all that solidified drought that is falling on the Moonbeam Empire that one or both of the major railroads out there would need to break out the big snoweaters.
And someone would post the obligatory video to EweToob.
Here ya go with the Union Pacific (ex Southern Pacific) version with 8800 horsepower pushing it. For those expecting some railroad trivia, note that the rotaries (there is one on each end so they don't need to turn the train around) are diesel powered not steam powered (although they have a steam generator for deicing purposes.) The power comes from another relic, an F7B with its 1120 KW (1500 HP) output used to drive the motor that turns the big fan.. ;-)
Rotary Snow Plow Returns to Donner Pass
On February 25th, 2017, the rotary snow plows returned to Donner Pass to battle the heavy Sierra Snow along the UP Roseville Subdivision.
The rotaries are somewhat of a legend along the railroad. Only used every 10 years or so, the rotaries are rarely seen. Flangers and spreaders work tirelessly through the winter months to keep the tracks open. When they cannot keep up with Mother Nature, the railroad turns to the rotaries. "They were sometimes called War Wagons" said retired Southern Pacific superintendent Bill Lynch, "Going to war against Mother Nature."
It has been a difficult winter for the Union Pacific Roseville Division. Intense storms have dropped over 13 feet of snow in the mountains, making it difficult to move trains along the Donner Pass Route (Roseville to Sparks via Truckee). The Feather River Route, which can often alleviate rail traffic from Donner Pass, has been closed for weeks due to massive washouts near Portola.