# Snowplower (DD-409)

> Railroads use several types of snow-clearing equipment. Wedge plows push snow to either side, rotary plows use a spinning bladed wheel to cut deep drifts and hurl snow away, and flangers clear snow and ice from the flangeways beside and between the rails. They keep lines open in heavy-snow regions. The footage shows a rotary plow throwing a plume of snow.

- Department: Tech
- First published: 2024-12-04
- Last updated: 2024-12-04
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/snowplower/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## Quick facts

- **DD-409-F01**: Pushes snow aside. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Wedge))_
- **DD-409-F02**: Spinning blades throw snow. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Rotary))_

## Write-up

Rotary plows can throw snow far from the tracks. Wedge plows push it aside; flangers clean between rails.

1. **Wedge**: Pushes snow aside.
2. **Rotary**: Spinning blades throw snow.
3. **Flanger**: Clears between rails.
4. **Regions**: Heavy snowfall.
5. **Purpose**: Prevents blockages.

## Related case files

- [Rotary Wrecking (DD-450)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/rotary-wrecking/): I linked more rotary machines

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Snowplower: Rotary Plows Can Throw Snow Far From the Tracks

- Duration: 28.0 s · Published: 2024-12-04
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DDLu9irqcv1.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know? Train snow plows are specialized rail vehicles designed to clear snow and ice from railway tracks. Ensuring safe and efficient train operations during winter, these plows come in various designs, including wedge plows, rotary plows, and flangers. Wedge plows push snow to the sides of the track, while rotary plows use spinning blades to cut through deep snow and throw it far away from the rails. Flangers are used to clear snow and ice from between the rails. Train snow plows are essential in regions with heavy snowfall, as they prevent track blockages and reduce delays. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: Which plow throws snow far?**  
A: Spinning. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Wedge) · Wikipedia: Snowplow)_

**Q: What does a wedge plow do?**  
A: Sides. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Rotary) · Wikipedia: Rotary snowplow)_

**Q: What clears between rails?**  
A: Flangeways. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Flanger) · Wikipedia: Snowplow)_

**Q: Where are they essential?**  
A: Winter. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Regions) · Wikipedia: Snowplow)_

**Q: What do they prevent?**  
A: Delays. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Purpose) · Wikipedia: Snowplow)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Snowplow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowplow)
- [Wikipedia: Rotary snowplow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_snowplow)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Snowplower." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-409, last updated Dec 4, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/snowplower/