Comments on: 836 has an extra task on this run. Although at this spot by mile 37, there seems little for the blade to do. Further east where there are open spots for the wind to get going, drifted snow on the track can be a foot high or more. It will not be fluffy either, usually hard enough that a person can walk on top without breaking the surface. The 4350 and 9190 were heading up the train.

By: Brundle

Brundle — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 16:26:59 +0000

The valve must be sitting up inside the car then (out of harms way). I guess what might be a better question. What all is going on inside this car? This could so easily be done like a Jordan spreader. A cabin on a frame. That is a lot of boxed room for the size of the blade below.

By: terry.oshell

terry.oshell — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:12:21 +0000

Another great capture of winter railroading. That is definitely a “bleed rod”. Moving the control valve and air reservoir inside would greatly reduce the risk of damage to key air brake components which could result in undesired emergency brake application as a result of hard packed snow, ice and debris being kicked up by the flanger plow. The guy in the cupola is probably enjoying the improvements of the steel car body flanger over a rickety old wooden flanger.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 01:25:54 +0000

Based on other flanger photos I have, it appears to be the brake bleeder pull handle.

By: Brundle

Brundle — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:55:15 +0000

Any idea what the little handle by the 2 in the Lt.Wt. is for? Can’t be for bleeding the brakes, although it is right by the retainer and brake cylinder.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:46:08 +0000

Oops! Replace the word Contact with Advise in my above comment.

Test Repack on a Forty Eight Month Basis. If Defective Advise Chief of M.P.&C.E.

This same stencil appeared on many snow plows as well as flangers.

By: Brundle

Brundle — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:42:57 +0000

Wow, my wild guess was not even close, lol, thanks Paul.

By: Brundle

Brundle — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:36:02 +0000

One year, we had a snowplow parked in the siding for the winter. I never saw it being used and the next summer it left. Not often, every other winter maybe, one of these would happen to go by. Snow doesn’t usually accumulate to any great amount here. It does get blown into drifts that can be nasty to clean out of your driveway.
Thanks Mike.

By: Paul O'Shell

Paul O'Shell — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:28:45 +0000

The white stencil lettering under the consolidated stencil boxes reads:

Test Repack on a Forty Eight Month Basis. If Defective Contact Chief of M.P.&C.E.

By: Klaucker

Klaucker — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 00:20:55 +0000

Very nice…and interesting…

By: Brundle

Brundle — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 21:53:17 +0000

The fellow in the window sure looks to be enjoying his day. Thanks Paul.
The white writing under the square black boxes, though not very legible, is saying to test the equipment every 8 months (or something to that effect), if found defective to contact the Chief of (bunch of initials that cannot be made out).