Category: Donner Rails

Winter Rails Over Donner: Day of the Spreader

Donner Rails/ BA Productions

Format: DVD

Length: 60 minutes

Time Period: 1998- 2006

Location: Donner Pass Route

Source: Donner Rails

MSRP: 29.95

Donner Rails has several titles about Donner Pass operations. This one specializes on a large piece of equipment used to clear heavy snowfall. That is called ‘The Spreader’. In this program snow removal is the basis for seeing the spreader in action.

In fact, the Donner Rails company shot over 35 hours of film! This was done in a six year time period. This one hour show, has some highlights from the cache of raw footage.

The overview of snow removal also includes a detailed chapter menu with: Flanger, Spreader, Norden, Derailment and Spreader Ride. A preview section is also listed on the main menu, along with play program.

Crackling Union Pacific radio traffic transports us into the world of ‘Snow Service’. We are in the cab of an operating spreader, in a heavy snowstorm…Stylish introduction.

An informative narrator will guide us and outline a hefty portion of information. Regular Union Pacific Railroad employees, also play large roles in explaining the tasks involving snow removal. Some 2003 footage shows Southern Pacific GP38-2 units with UP renumbering. The 2000 horsepower GP38 units are specially equipped for the tough assignment.

Viewers who have seen other Donner/ BA shows will see some familiar faces from other shows. All of the employees are knowledgeable. They freely share stories and information. You are missing out, if you have never heard this style of commentary. It is major, ‘inside access’. Engineers, Conductors, Snow Equipment Operators/ Crews, Foreman, Track Workers, Managers, Heavy Equipment Operators, and a retiree or two, really move the show along. In this feature, they all have experience in ‘ Snow Service’. This is a volunteer service. Those men are dedicated to doing whatever it takes to keep the lines open.

Spreaders have two 18 foot wings on each side. They have special windows that appear to be taken off an ocean liner. In fact, they are the same! Special Porthole, whirring glass keeps the windows clean, in any weather. The spreaders are comparable in size to the locomotives. So, you can see- they are very large pieces of equipment.

The Spreader is highly interesting to watch. Many different views show us how the spreader works. The spreader trains are seen in various weather conditions. Day and nighttime scenes reveal the around the clock operations. Teamwork is essential to clearing the tracks. Sometimes men are seen lighting fires on frozen turnouts. In general, co-operating with other snow removal equipment operators, all have their roles. This goes right to the trackworkers with shovels!

Derailment does have a spreader train in difficulty. Locomotives and the spreader are on the ground. Snow is falling rapidly. The CAT bulldozers and 4×4 crews rush over to assist. A big, front end loader and more heavy equipment works all night to rerail the train. Track gangs fix the rails. A 12 hour job! Normal hazard of snow removal.

Cab ride has the viewer riding on the spreader. Amazing, to see the amount of snow the wing can move!

An artistic sequence focuses on the spectacular winter wonderland in the Sierra Nevadas. This conclusion has the: artful cinematography, relaxing music, and employee commentary, that is further developed in later BA productions shows.

This is another excellent release from Donner Rails/ BA Productions. Brendan Compton is the man behind the camera. He directs the show. Even though this one is a few years old, it has many of the earmarks of a Brendan Compton program. Everything included here, is as much fun as the more recent shows. An outstanding presentation!

Rating: 5 Stars

The Flanger Cab Ride                 

BA Productions/ Donner Rails

Format: DVD

Length: 2 Hours

Time Period: 2004

Sources: Multiple Cameras

MSRP: 24.95

Donner Pass is legendary for the amount of annual snowfall. Railroad technology has advanced over many decades of snow removal there. This unique ride aboard a Union Pacific snow service locomotive is an experience!

A specially equipped EMD GP38-2 locomotive is on the point. Union Pacific #580 is an ex: Southern Pacific diesel, with UP reporting marks, patched on. An additional GP38 and the flanger itself constitute our snow removal train.

At first glance, the flanger seems like a high riding caboose. There are special blades mounted underneath, are what clears the snow from the rails. Experienced ‘ Snow Service’ railroad personnel get the job accomplished. Day or night, the tracks must be kept clear. Communication with the flanger gets the blade faced properly. Also, the blade must be raised at turnouts.

The specially equipped GP38 has some custom additions, designed for snow removal. There are circular, porthole style windows. These are adopted from ocean going ships. They turn at high speed, keeping the glass clear. Surprisingly, the main camera has a view through the engineers window! The viewpoint remains a clean one.

An icebreaker can be raised to break overhead ice in tunnels and snowsheds. The icebreaker can be easily seen on the exterior shots. Windshield screens can be present.

Multiple cameras have been employed to give a variety of views. There are numerous scenery shots, which are spectacular. Some rearward facing looks at the flanger throwing the snow are great. You can get a sense of the elevations, when that snow is going over the side.

Audio is all natural, environmental sounds. Most of the time, we are inside the cab of the GP38. The engineer and the normal operating sounds are heard. Radio traffic, automated hotbox detectors, and some talk among the crew.  Outside shots can include the flanger noises, as it plows snow. Yes, the airhorn is heard.

There is a unique chapter menu. It is arranged to look like a route map. The towns and points of interest are clickable. The map also runs both: eastbound and westbound.

The roundtrip is Truckee to Emigrant Gap and return. The Donner Pass area highlights are included. Tunnel 41, Donner Lake, Soda Springs, and Norden are a few.

On screen graphics have more information. Besides the locations, tunnel length, speed limits and elevations are offered.

This is a fascinating opportunity to sit in the engineer’s chair. You can even see most of the signal aspects, as they appear to the crew. Some opposing UP freights are met. One freight, gets a special look, from aboard the snow train.

At 2 hours, this is a long player. The route is thoroughly covered. Filmed in daylight, the scope of the operation can be felt. The flanger will constantly patrol the line during snowfall.

There is some narration at the start of the program. Once we get aboard the locomotive, it is non-narrated. The engineer talks enough to keep us apprised of what is happening. An example is when he discusses the signal aspects that the train is running under.

By the way, most of what I have written about snow service, was learned from watching other BA Productions programs. Took time to explain a few things that are not addressed within this show. If this type of video is appealing, check their other releases The Spreader Part One is worth a look. All of the BA Productions are scheduled for reviews on ATVR. Some previews are at the end of this disc.

This cab ride is a memorable one. It does run long. That length can be good, for those that desire a complete roundtrip. Others can use the menu to bounce around the program. You can even opt for the eastbound or westbound trip.

This program will appeal to the serious railfan. Southern Pacific and Union Pacific fans, will  get an extra kick out of seeing their railroad fighting snow.

An enjoyable train video to have in the collection.

Rating: 4 Stars

#UnionPacific#DonnerPass#Railroad