Mother Nature was indeed bountiful in her distribution of a large amount of the white stuff on Friday night. After battling their way into the site at Apedale - with varying degrees of success, Moseley Railway Trust members couldn't help but notice the absence of the entire railway under a blanket of snow. It was also important to carry out a shunt in one of the sheds. So, Mr Plow to the rescue. Those who followed the link to Dowlais Top last time will have noticed that, when BR went snowploughing, it took a couple of wedge ploughs and about 3,500hp-worth of Class 37s. There is a very good reason for the ample supply of horsepower. The reason became abundantly clear when the 20hp Ruston rather ran out of puff at anything other than the smallest drift.
In response to this, another member is developing an alternative approach to snow clearing, which involves a 9" angle grinder. He does accept that it is early days yet, and the method is rather slow. We think it's just that he's not working hard enough.If we had some serious snow, we might be able to call on our friends in Germany to lend the little solution which they have to the issue.
As ever, get in touch here.
