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This photo brings back memeories of my days on CP working snowplows. The flange is the part between the rails. If that is not removed, the packed snow can exert pressure on the wheels, like hump yard retarders.
After sucessive snowfalls, we used to stall sometimes approaching Guelph Jct on the CP when there was still a current of traffic, until the plow was run to clear out the flange.
All westbounds would use north track and never get going fast enough to blow the snow out. It was also a good idea to “wing” out the snowbanks on each side so crews could walk the train if needed. Also, packed snow on the sides especially at crossings (pushed on there by the highway plow) sometimes pulled pins if the slack ran in on an elevated curve and the lever was slightly sticking out.
We often had plows in this type of weather to make the sure that the snow was well back before getting rain soaked and then freezing later. In that case it would be like cement once frozen.
Thanks Ronald – excellent explanation. On this day (I was photographing too, Ron and I were following each other in our cars inadvertently!)it was already warm and the cold spell arrived the night before.
http://www.railpictures.ca/?attachment_id=13418
It caused quite a mess as the plow got stuck twice…
Lots of plow shots posted this past winter – have a look. From January to February this year if you have not seen.