Motive Power Review

Snowfighting Photo Gallery

Spreaders - US Eastern & Midwestern Roads

The next step up from the wedge plows on the snowfighting ladder are the spreaders. Spreaders are generally large, complex pieces of equipment, and they may carry a variety of snow removal devices. Most spreaders have a large front plow blade. The lower sections of the blade may be hinged to allow them to push light snow to only one side. There may also be extension wings off the front blade. All spreaders have large side wings or arms, which can push snow well clear of the tracks. A "broken wing" spreader has pivoting extensions on the side arms to clear a wider swath or clear deeper snow. Many speaders also have flangers. Spreaders are the largest pieces of snow removal equipment to see frequent service.

Most spreaders are Jordan Spreaders, but there are several competing varieties, including the Snow Dozer, which was built by a competing company. There are also a number of homebuilt spreaders.

[THUMBNAIL] Broadside view of Conrail 64633 at Meadville, PA in May 1994. Conrail maintained an impressive fleet of snowfighting equipment, including the oldest operational rotary plow.
Photo: Larry Smith

[THUMBNAIL] Left-side view of CR 64633 at Meadville, PA in May 1994.
Photo: Larry Smith

[THUMBNAIL] Front view of CR 64633 at Meadville, PA in May 1994.
Photo: Larry Smith

[THUMBNAIL] Soo Line RD816 at Marquette, MI, on 28 Sept 1986. This is a relatively small spreader, but it features a large plow blade and "broken" wings.
Photo: Dan Dawdy

[THUMBNAIL] US Army spreader SN85 at the Army Transportation Museum, Ft. Eustis, VA, April 1995. This spreader has an unusual cab, apparently a custom-built affair.
Photo: Keith Ranker

[THUMBNAIL] Rear view of US Army SN85, April 1995.
Photo: Keith Ranker

[THUMBNAIL] Buffalo Southern spreader at Hamburg, NY. This is a very unusual spreader, probably a homebuilt machine.
Photo: John Stewart

[THUMBNAIL] Buffalo Southern (ex-D&H) spreader at Eden, NY, 28 December 1996. This Jordan still bears the markings of its former owner.
Photo: John Stewart

[THUMBNAIL] Another view of Buffalo Southern's ex-D&H spreader at Eden, 28 December 1996.
Photo: John Stewart

[THUMBNAIL] Ontario Midland spreader at Sodus, NY. This spreader is about as small as they come, completely lacking front blades.
Photo: John Stewart

[THUMBNAIL] A Rock Island (CRIP) Jordan north of Burlington, Iowa, January 1980. This was Rock Island's last winter; the railroad closed down a few months after this photo was taken.
Photo: photographer unknown

[THUMBNAIL] Wisconsin Southern's ex-BN spreader at Janesville, WI, 5/1996. This spreader was previously BN 972624.
Photo: Dan Dawdy

[THUMBNAIL] Jordan Spreader cabride - view from the cab of a Jordan Spreader working in light snow.
Photo: photographer unknown
Snowfighting Photo Gallery
Compiled and Maintained by Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
Copyright © 1997-2003 by Andrew Toppan
All photographs are copyright by the photographers
Reproduction, reuse or distribution without permission is prohibited