my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

California's Railroad to the U.S. 1861 - 1996

Southern Pacific

~ Snow Fighters ~

~ Rotary Snowplow Snails ~

SPMW 8205-8211, 8220, 8221

9 units built

To go with their rebuilt electrically powered Rotary Snowplows, SP converted 9 vacated F7B units to provide electrical power for the Rotary Snowplow blade or wheel, and steam for heating, to keep the Rotaries functional in sub-zero weather.

Some texts say the traction motors were disabled, others say they don't have any...

Details vary between units, and I don't have enough information or photo's to really list them.
However, from photo's the number of portholes may vary, and the truck journals exhibit different configurations. Dynamic fans look to have removed, and both engine and steam generator exhausts look to have been modified.

The Rotaries and 'snails' are part of the Maintenance of Way (MOW) Roster, so carry SPMW numbers, respective snails carry the same number as their Rotary, with the prefix 8. eg, Rotary SPMW 205's snail is numbered SPMW 8205.

Most Southern Pacific Motive Power Annuals/Reviews have at least one photo of a snail.