Comments on: 30 years ago when I was in Owen Sound and it had snowed the day before, I asked the CP operator if a plow train had been called for. He said one was working up from Orangeville. I spent some time looking for him but was only able to get a few distant shots along the line just as he was heading down the escarpment. Also one shot of a freight that was right behind him. Shown here is the aftermath of the trip: CP plow 400778 (the regular assigned Orangeville/Owen Sound Sub plow) along with RS18′s 8766 and 1814 caked with snow, a Jordan spreader, and van on the rear, all sitting at the station in Owen Sound.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 22:36:00 +0000

Thank you.

By: RonaldB

RonaldB — Wed, 07 Mar 2018 17:41:23 +0000

actually, there would have been 2 in the plow, foreman & helper..2 in the locomotive,engineer & head end brakeman and 2 in the van, conductor and tail end brakeman. Firemen had all been promoted into the ranks of engineers by 1984 and if there was a van (caboose) on the train there would most likely have been a full crew, especially on a branchline where it may have been necessary to flag the read of the train if another train was following. When the vans were no longer operating, the conductor would ride the locomotive along with the brakeman & engineer. Sometimes, the brakeman would ride in the spreader if it was leading…to relay instructions to the engine, although this was more typically done by the MOW staff operating the machine.

By: Boxcarphilly

Boxcarphilly — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 17:33:40 +0000

Alright. I was just wondering if any crew members would have ridden in the caboose.

By: Stephen C. Host

Stephen C. Host — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 13:01:25 +0000

at least five: two in plow, three crew for engine (engr, cndr, fireman)

By: Boxcarphilly

Boxcarphilly — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 06:30:58 +0000

What a great photograph. How many crew members do you suppose would’ve been aboard this plow extra?