SPMW 324

Union Pacific 574 idles in the yard in Roseville. 574 is a GP38-2, built by EMD in 1980 for Southern Pacific. The unit has intermittently operated on Donner Pass in snow service for most of its career.

SPMW 324 is a flanger, the standard snow-fighting equipment on Donner Pass. These units are used to clear snow from between the tracks, and work in conjunction with Jordan spreaders to keep the line clear through the Sierra-Nevada winters. While the spreaders are used to clear large drifts from the right-of-way, flangers clear the snow from between the tracks, and also serve as a place where supplies can be carried across the mountains.

The Union Pacific Roseville engine shops are mostly quiet on this late February morning. On the far right is GP38-2 589 poking out from behind one of the shop buildings. In the center is AC44 5695, and a flanger set powered by GP38-2s 574 and 569. On the left are two more flanger sets, powered by more GP38-2s.

Flanger 324 sits in the yard at Roseville. The car, used for snowfighting on Donner Pass, is still stenciled as an Southern Pacific MOW car. "Norden" is in a flanger set with GP38-2 574. Behind the car is another flanger set, with GP38-2 583 in the consist.

Flanger for snow fighting

Flanger for snow fighting

Flanger for snow fighting

Shot while rolling through the yard on Amtrak #6, so not the best quality at all.