DMU/EMU with snow blades?

[TheSeeker]

Saw Network Rail Scotland posting some great pictures of a class 37 on snow duties.

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailSCOT/status/954999473339535360

Why don't EMUs and DMUs have snow blades fitted? Is it a question of power?

 

[TheEdge]

Quite a lot do, a quick google looks like the 150, 153, 156, 158, 170, 171 and 172 all have small ones fitted.

 

[TheSeeker]

Quite a lot do, a quick google looks like the 150, 153, 156, 158, 170, 171 and 172 all have small ones fitted.

Ah yes! Thanks. A rather redundant question.

 

[DarloRich]

Saw Network Rail Scotland posting some great pictures of a class 37 on snow duties.

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailSCOT/status/954999473339535360

Why don't EMUs and DMUs have snow blades fitted? Is it a question of power?

they do have mini snow ploughs fitted. Our 150 on the Marston Vale is so equipped.

 

[swaldman]

I'm guessing that if there's any question as to how much snow, they'd rather have a light loco have to stop / use a spade / turn back / whatever than a service with passengers on?

 

[PHILIPE]

I believe these are actually deflectors rather than snow blades.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I believe these are actually deflectors rather than snow blades.

I believe so too, the base of the blade has more clearance from the railhead. That is unless the WHL 156s have proper snowploughs, which wouldn't surprise me.

 

[380101]

I believe so too, the base of the blade has more clearance from the railhead. That is unless the WHL 156s have proper snowploughs, which wouldn't surprise me.

They just have the standard deflector blade like all the rest of the ScotRail 156 fleet.

 

[alexl92]

Do 158s have them? They do have a deflector kind of thing to stop large objects going under but it’s not really a blade like 155s have, for example.

 

[whhistle]

I'm surprised trains don't have pipes blasting air in front of the train on to the tracks.
Simply blast the snow away...

 

[DarloRich]

I'm surprised trains don't have pipes blasting air in front of the train on to the tracks.
Simply blast the snow away...

i doubt that would shift enough snow

 

[whhistle]

i doubt that would shift enough snow

Even if you increased the rate of blast?
But when you get to aeroplane speeds [of blast], the train simply wouldn't move I guess :P

 

[DarloRich]

Even if you increased the rate of blast?
But when you get to aeroplane speeds [of blast], the train simply wouldn't move I guess :P

I suspect that for small amounts of loose snow it might work but if it was compacted or deep the pressure needed would be prohibitive. Sadly, my idea of fitting flame throwers was rejected.

 

[Cowley]

I suspect that for small amounts of loose snow it might work but if it was compacted or deep the pressure needed would be prohibitive. Sadly, my idea of fitting flame throwers was rejected.

I expect it was shot down in flames along with my idea of retractable train skis.
There’s just not enough thinking outside the box these days...

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Sadly, my idea of fitting flame throwers was rejected.

That would solve the Yellow Warning Panel debate at least!

 

[Parallel]

Do 158s have them? They do have a deflector kind of thing to stop large objects going under but it’s not really a blade like 155s have, for example.

I’m not sure but GWR 158s have larger deflectors/ploughs than the SWR ones. I’ve got a picture somewhere of the 158s coupled, and you can see the difference!

 

[brel york]

Tried Class 47 with steam lances from the boiler to defrost crossings and turnouts

 

[Marklund]

I guess Scotrail decided it was worth fitting plough shaped deflectors at some point.

 

[brel york]

The one on the Class 150 is called a snowplough, lifts on and off with fork lift truck (if you undo the bolts lol)

 

[brel york]

There

 

[Chris125]

Even if you increased the rate of blast?
But when you get to aeroplane speeds [of blast], the train simply wouldn't move I guess :P

Jet engines have been tried, but it wasn't very practical - a blast strong enough to clear snow and ice won't be too kind to the track either.