Rotaries and Flangers on Donner Pass!

Рет қаралды 1,102,409

2 жыл бұрын

From our best selling DVD "Winter on Donner Pass," watch rotary snow plows clearing snow from the railroad tracks in the dead of winter. Visit the summit of Donner Pass in winter's fury as both rotaries and flangers work to keep trains moving in arctic conditions.
Watch the entire program "Winter on Donner Pass" by clicking the link below. It is available on DVD, Hi-definition Blu-ray and Digital Download at 7ideaproductions.com.
www.7ideaproductions.com/prod...

Пікірлер: 423

@patrickratkinson2025 Ай бұрын

I'm 73 years old and I never seen one of these machines in action before, and I found them to be absolutely amazing, and even awesome.

@cheeze5875 2 жыл бұрын

It's amazing how quickly the snowdozer population bounces back each winter. Nature is truly a wonder to behold.

@b3tomm12 2 жыл бұрын

😂

@shafimuhammad2268 2 жыл бұрын

@JMiskovsky 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah hebitat is nice but I also like population of Track layers. Thou it is endemic

@jasoncarswell7458 Жыл бұрын

Though bold in numbers, they quickly scatter at the appearance of a larger, louder apex predator.

@kuhndj67 Жыл бұрын

They were majestic weren't they...

@paull8678 6 ай бұрын

I find it hilarious that the KZfaq algorithm decided to suggest this video. I watch a lot of guitar gear demos (guitars, effect pedals, etc) and Donner is a brand of guitar. Rotary and Flanger are two types of guitar effects. So I guess this seemed like the perfect video for YT to recommend. 😂 And now I've learned about two types of train. Too cool.

@7ideaproductions 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for stopping by even if it was by accident!

@paull8678 6 ай бұрын

@@7ideaproductions sure thing! Who doesn't like trains? I even take heavy rail to work.

@karlmckinnell3944 2 жыл бұрын

So cute the one snow dozer turns around and tries to outrun the plow. lol

@michaelhudecek2778 Жыл бұрын

😊😊😊

@happyhighway106 2 жыл бұрын

#193 Thank you for a fine video! I am 73. Fifty years ago I helmed some of the Railroad Car Ferrys on Lake Michigan during the Winter months. These vessels were coal fired, steam powered with Skinner Uniflow Engines. They all were Ice Breakers and could punch through "The Wind Rolls". Winter seas were cold and rough! However, Food in the Galley was the best served!!

@haventthoughtofanameyet6364 Жыл бұрын

I'm a machine operator for a living(any and all heavy equipment) and to hear "a herd of bulldozers" just tickled me to death lol

@coopercarguy Жыл бұрын

America needs more trains.

@passthepipe1 Жыл бұрын

The clean edge left by this machine once it's done it's work, pleases me.

@SongMom8 Жыл бұрын

It’s basically a train-sized snowblower. Cool! 👍🏻

@NoBody-ht1oh Жыл бұрын

Its wonderful to see a family of dozers in the wild making their way to lower ground, a rare find indeed. We don't have them in Australia, except in zoo's sadly.

@7ideaproductions Жыл бұрын

Yes these are rare but fortunately Donner has a healthy herd.

@kagenslookingglass Жыл бұрын

@@7ideaproductions What I love about it is hearing Greta Thumbird screaming as these are making their passes. Great video!

@beeble2003 Жыл бұрын

@@7ideaproductions Yeah, but just wait until those Caterpillars grow up into butterflies!

@kennethdodge3779 Жыл бұрын

That is hilarious.look at them run for greener pastures.lol

@22Oatie Жыл бұрын

Yeah that place is historically great for groups of anything, dozers... people

@canyoncruzr 2 жыл бұрын

This is strangely satisfying to watch.

@QbutNotTheQ 4 ай бұрын

2:25 A majestic herd of snow dozers.

@sceneanuerebelrebel9244 Жыл бұрын

This Winter ought to really keep you busy ...

@mainecoastrailfan 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! The rotary plow alongside the "herd of snowdozers" makes for quite the sight!

@StormySkyRailProductions 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, Spectacular video of this operation.

@7ideaproductions 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@TheDukeOfThunder Жыл бұрын

I genuinely had to laugh at the "herd of snow dozers" passing

@davidhouser586 Жыл бұрын

Big cat engine sounds good pulling the snow blower

@7ideaproductions Жыл бұрын

EMD 567 in the B unit before the rebuild. Music!

@nc4tn Жыл бұрын

Love to hear those 567’s powering the plows.

@anb7408 5 ай бұрын

Arnold Schwarzenegger would be proud of these snow plows! No “girly man” plows around on that pass. Any plow that can chew through 5-6 deep wet snow is a manly plow!

@caroldavis7169 Жыл бұрын

This is just spectacular !!!!! I live in Australia snd we never see anything like this …..

@leehuff2330 2 жыл бұрын

Love the sound of those 567s getting after it!

@GhostDrummer Жыл бұрын

That’s gotta be an eerie feeling to not be able to see where you’re going. At least at night the locomotive lights up the tracks. What an amazing video. Thank you for sharing.

@7ideaproductions Жыл бұрын

Yes I understand it can get spooky in those situations especially with avalanche danger.

@josipskrticdomin Жыл бұрын

Train 🚂 and the snow ⛄️! Beautiful 😍

@heinzbreuer2674 2 жыл бұрын

Ein Meister Werk an der Kamera ☃️☃️📽📽📽📽📽greetings from Germany Rhein side Düsseldorf

@judyhereid9723 2 жыл бұрын

I could watch this allday

@Peter-pv8xx 2 жыл бұрын

They had one of these rigs at steamtown in Scranton PA, standing in front of that massive turbine gave one pause.

@christopherkane2842 6 ай бұрын

Hilarious “herd of snow dozers” I guess it’s cheaper than snow cats ?!?

@barryroberts2196 2 жыл бұрын

I'm very impressed. 2 inches of snow here in the UK & the Country comes to a stand still !!!👍

@user-qs1me6ez4i 2 жыл бұрын

@Dark Code Можешь не поверить, но в России так же, маленький снежок и уже обьявляют стихийное бедствие.

@Gravity461 2 жыл бұрын

@dark code I’m in Connecticut and we didn’t even get an extreme weather warning for a snowstorm that happened today with over a foot of snow.

@simplywonderful449 2 жыл бұрын

In Illinois, we get an "EXTREME WEATHER WARNING" when it goes above freezing!

@jimsmith9819 7 ай бұрын

2 inches here is nothing

@davemcmahon8140 2 жыл бұрын

I wonder what my grandfather would think about winter work on the rails. He was an engineer on Australian steam and electrics during WW2 and till his retirement. Its amazing as I have his lisences all printed on rice paper!!

@7ideaproductions 2 жыл бұрын

He would have been interesting to talk to! It takes a special breed to do winter service. I know engineers who live for it.

@davemcmahon8140 2 жыл бұрын

@@7ideaproductions he was deemed essential service during the war, his brothers served in Burma while Pa took arms and men up the east coast of Australia.

@nikospapageorgiou57 Жыл бұрын

Two SD70ACe's that is one mighty snowblower consist! And the way the bulldozers scattered at the first sight of the snowblower, was so funny!

@Senor0Droolcup 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome. When I-80 is closed both directions, I should be thinking of the thousands of people stuck in traffic, unable to reach loved ones, but my initial reaction is pretty much: "I wonder if they're powering up the Rotaries at Roseville!?!" Kinda pathetic but that's what a love of trains will do to you...

@francisschweitzer8431 2 жыл бұрын

I think that same thing…. Parked in Reno because Donner is closed and I am dreaming of Rotary Trains. Lol.

@davemcmahon8140 2 жыл бұрын

Now thats a thought!

@davefroman4700 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah and its more likely the Zepher will get across the mountain before any of the people stuck in ditches.

@ThePaulv12 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah that's what a Gunzel would think. Gunzel is a derogatory description for the insatiable hard core rail enthusiast. A true Gunzel always wears the the name with pride.

@Senor0Droolcup 2 жыл бұрын

@@ThePaulv12 Well, in that case, if being a true Gunzel is wrong, I don't wanna be right! 😆

@keithgeisen Жыл бұрын

To have narration added is well received - Thank you.

@tennesseegregario7253 Жыл бұрын

This is so relaxing to watch. This and rat shooting.

@gwechoochoo Жыл бұрын

In 20 plus years as a CTC Operator in East St Louis, only two times did we have a significant snow fall to bring out the snow blower car with the jet engine. Our Maintainer loved the call at 2am in single digit temperatures to refill switch pots and frozen points.

@jrea424 Жыл бұрын

Amazing to watch! And to think, people would traverse that pass long before any rail was laid in search of a better life in Cali

@connie7226 Жыл бұрын

That is so cool to watch

@7ideaproductions Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@ryanfrogz 2 жыл бұрын

No kidding about the herd of snowdozers!

@stbu9709 2 жыл бұрын

They need a fancier collective term……a gaggle of snowdozers!

@spentacle 2 жыл бұрын

Was the orange one the dominant male?

@ryanfrogz 2 жыл бұрын

that’s the dozer-herder, responsible for keeping them in line

@ronbelnap8370 2 жыл бұрын

Actually pushing snow far away from track is critical to keeping the line open. If snow is more than 15 feet deep next to the track rotaries dig a trench, and you are in trouble. Got to have someplace to put it.

@resdupbug 2 жыл бұрын

That whistle!!!!! Incredible footage, thank you for sharing it.

@erichughes284 Жыл бұрын

That train is moving an incredible amount of heavy snow.Very i.pressive

@scottmorris2601 2 жыл бұрын

I’ve heard that being a fireman has the highest job satisfaction, but I bet driving that train throwing snow is a close second.

@geomodelrailroader 2 жыл бұрын

always good to see The Roteries in action. If you have 16 feet of snow on Donner Pass this is who you call they will make sure The Transcontinental Railroad stays clear and the trains keep moving.

@EATSLEEPDRIVE2002 2 жыл бұрын

@Bobb Grimley do ya feel smarter now?

@telsat Жыл бұрын

Love this

@willmetz1490 Жыл бұрын

I remember that big storm, I had to dig my car out of a huge mound of snow

@harrisonofcolorado8886 2 жыл бұрын

I received this DVD for Christmas a few years back. I liked seeing the rotaries, and it's amazing that they're still in use even today.

@Harry-zz2oh 2 жыл бұрын

Last week I saw the rotary from the narrow gauge in Durango, CO-Chama, NM and the Silverton, CO RR. Very neat to watch the video.

@larryjanson4011 Жыл бұрын

best tool for the job.

@gardenogauge 4 ай бұрын

What's the alternative?

@caseyalan5812 6 ай бұрын

Those snow dozers are so stinking cute! 😂😂

@brendacoffman6259 2 жыл бұрын

Just so glad to see snow again in Northern California Love this !

@fhowland 2 жыл бұрын

Man versus nature. Seriously impressive!

@milkman81 Жыл бұрын

Black looks amazing when it’s not covered in salt!

@DJust_Me Жыл бұрын

Amazing videos. God bless you, protect you, and keep you safe. Thank you for your great job.

@7ideaproductions Жыл бұрын

Thank you and you as well!

@jayswarrow1196 Жыл бұрын

12:26 - That idle-to-work gurgle of old 567 series is biblical. Like the Ford FE-block trucks of an era, torque orchestra, at the lowest end possible. Also, i enjoyed the wildlife commentary alot :D

@bikerider4326 Жыл бұрын

They could have created snow shoes and even SKIE’S and toboggans if they had any common sense!😂

@scottkelley883 2 жыл бұрын

Very cool. Downtown truckee has an old retired one on display!

@Parents_of_Twins Жыл бұрын

Wow making the diesel or diesels in that engine work, that's amazing.

@phildavies9082 2 жыл бұрын

I love going up to the tracks in and around Truckee. It's a great way to spend the day.

@rd264 Жыл бұрын

I like snowblowers and trains.

@skimmer8774 2 жыл бұрын

Spectacular to say the least. I would love to be there for real. Very nice video.

@sotl97 Жыл бұрын

That would be a fun job.

@williamrosier5558 Жыл бұрын

Ol Man Winter. . LOVE YOU.

@sergiolandz6056 Жыл бұрын

thank you so much to the people who took this video and stills, amazing ! Love the wintery train scene so awesome !

@scottparsons2031 Жыл бұрын

Remember when the demacrats said all the glaciers would be melted by 2009 and new york would be under water 😂🤣😆🤣

@allenra530 2 жыл бұрын

Not that long ago they were still using the Southern Pacific steam powered rotaries out of Roseville. The diesels may be more efficient, but the steam machines were much more appealing.

@7ideaproductions 2 жыл бұрын

Steam powered rotaries put on the best show. Good idea for a future video!

@averageguy7136 2 жыл бұрын

Those are the same steam powered rotaries. They are around 100 years old. In the 1950’s they converted them to use a diesel powered steam generator rather than use the original boiler and firebox. The B unit powers the steam generator.

@jeffkrob4972 2 жыл бұрын

@@averageguy7136 Sorry, must disagree. These may be the same steam-powered chassis but the rotary is now powered with traction motors powered by the generator in the (EMD F-7 Type) B units (LOVE that roar, BTW). You can see the electrical cables between the rotary car & the B unit. Yes, there is a steam-making boiler in the B unit but that is to melt snow off the front collection doors around the rotary blade opening.

@kleetus92 2 жыл бұрын

@@jeffkrob4972 Yeah I thing that is an F7P where they're using the steam generator that would have been used for car heat to keep the rotary thawed out... But absolute the 1500hp 16V567 is definitely running a traction motor, or two, in the rotary head to spin her up.

@ronbelnap8370 2 жыл бұрын

@@kleetus92 when I had a rotary on my SP territory on Oregon it had a steam generator in the plow car body for heat, blade heating, and whistle. It also had 3 traction motors turning the blades. All electricity came from the power unit behind.

@Luredreier Жыл бұрын

It's nice to see the rotary working fast and efficiently. =) This is more like how they looked here.

@1JUSTGOTLUCKY1 2 жыл бұрын

What a great video!!! Great vantage points and beautiful definition!!

@BNforever2009 2 жыл бұрын

Love this!!

@KPen3750 Жыл бұрын

It is very interesting to me that the rotaries have yet to be converted from steam power. Not that I'm complaining, that whistle is glorious

@bigskygemsmontana9464 Жыл бұрын

The only place in California that is awesome!!

@noworriesmate5903 Жыл бұрын

Beats my snowblower.

@geoffreylee5199 2 жыл бұрын

Great footage!

@Marlene-Ferreira 2 жыл бұрын

ANYONE FOR A SNOWCONE..... YOU JUST HAVE TO ADD YOUR OWN FLAVOR...... It's mesmerizing we dont get snow like that in our Country.... It's Awesome to watch... thank you for sharing 🌟❤☃️🌟❤☃️🌟❤☃️

@lindawebster815 2 жыл бұрын

😘 Love to see this amazing sight!! Mother Nature came through again for the great opportunity bestowed the crew!!!Thank you 😊 Sincerely yours, a greatfull railroad family from Roseville CA 🤗

@poopmcgee3826 Жыл бұрын

need a few of these for me driveway.

@edadan Жыл бұрын

Can't imagine being in the "Donner party" that got trapped in these harsh conditions back in 1846!

@7ideaproductions Жыл бұрын

I think about that every time I go up there. Filming on Donner in the winter is not a picnic but the images are worth it.

@axelfoley1406 5 ай бұрын

2:25 Ah, I love nature.

@schwags1969 Жыл бұрын

Very impressive. Thank you.

@Gorthaur42 Жыл бұрын

Why did I watch this? No idea. But do I impractically want one for my driveway now? Absolutely.

@alcopower5710 2 жыл бұрын

Outstanding footage 👍

@jimmyhook4852 2 жыл бұрын

Now that's a long preview though. ^^

@VirtualJMills 2 жыл бұрын

Interesting that the Rotary Plows are using the same spinning-disc window-clearance technique as larger CNC equipment. :-)

@jasonharrison25 2 жыл бұрын

it's actually the other way around. Trains, boats and ships have been using them long before CNC ever adopted them. but I get your point

@lostinthedesert6149 Жыл бұрын

A herd of snow dozers 😂😂😂

@timgreen4137 2 жыл бұрын

A herd of snow dozers. 😆🤣🤣🤣 Yeah, I've heard of dozers. Haven't you???

@nosaya3 2 жыл бұрын

Some serious action!

@drive9997 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome great footage

@dwkcamman611 2 жыл бұрын

Nice work!

@trainsmachineryldegmtrains3509 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing video! Great winter capture! Good work! Mega Thumbs Up ☃️🚂🚂🚂☃️❄😎👍👍👍 Greetungs from Romania Andrew

@7ideaproductions 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@bluecollar58 Жыл бұрын

You don’t see those dozer herds much. The snow must have drove them down from the hills.

@robertnewberry7799 Жыл бұрын

You mean, they ate the world's elite all up? That's right Danny.

@keithfreeman5204 2 жыл бұрын

My dad worked for the C&O/B&O for 35 years. He was on the Track Maintance crew, he ran the Ballast Regulator. Any and all information on what my Dad's job involved is just interesting to me. Dad passed 3 years ago. Simply , thanks for the info.

@7ideaproductions 2 жыл бұрын

You are welcome!

@chuck3441 Жыл бұрын

What is a ballast regulator?

@matthewnowell671 Жыл бұрын

I wonder how much work the rotaries are getting this year with the amount of snow that California has gotten this year.

@toastmantoasty 7 ай бұрын

Spaniards: We shall name this territory Cali Fornia, for it is as bright and hot as a glowing furnace. Donner Party: This better be a freaking joke.

@angeloavanti2538 2 жыл бұрын

whoa. impressive.

@darrellborland119 2 жыл бұрын

We are "Original Transcon RR" fans, so hit Bloomer Cut, etc., this past Oct. Then Tunnel 6, Summit Tunnel, is pretty awesome to walk thru and consider how it was built. Thanks, and the "Wedding of the Rails" will be this May 10, at Promontory Summit...subscribed.

@geec5636 4 ай бұрын

Looks like an old gravely snow thrower

@barbararoberto1258 2 жыл бұрын

Great video will watch again

@nitaleach6816 2 жыл бұрын

As many time I was on Donner, I had no idea this really happened.

@the305hauler Жыл бұрын

Booyah, 👊😁👍🇺🇲

@ms.annthrope415 Жыл бұрын

Near the west end of Truckee Is the Donner Monument. The base of thr Monument is 22 feet high to commemorate the 22 feet of snow that fell and trapped the Donner party that fateful winter. The western side of the Sierra mountains get so much snow because the clouds get stuck in the west side and dump snow all over before moving east over the tops of the Sierra. The snow has so much water content that the snow on the roads freeze and refreeze overnight into solid slabs of ice. We called that Sierra Cement. Driving up and down I-80 sometimes feels like driving in a slot canyon as the snow is more than half way up to the overhead light poles. Lived in the foothills close to I-80 for 20 years.