History Wedge plow

four locomotives plow deep snow in february, 1869.

the wedge plow typically required several locomotives propel plow enough force push through snow. high speeds of 50 mph (80 km/h) required achieve adequate propulsion removal of snow. sometimes, many 14 locomotives used in process. in case snow tightly packed or frozen, manual labor might still used clear tracks. process of ramming through snow accounted historically follows.

pushing , backing of engines made din unequalled since blacksmithy of cyclops. hocus pocus 7 engines made pull togethers. after 3 hours of toil-there tremendous jerk, forward movement of few moments , abreast of station.

henry david thoreau noted in poems steady , cheerful valor of men inhabit snow-plough winter quarters...and [to] behold ploughmen covered snow , rime, heads peering above mould-board.

plowing therefore dangerous job chance of derailing train in process. wedge plows still used railways less expensive method clearing snow drifts tracks. during heavier snow conditions, rotary snowplows used.