Rotaries and Flangers on Donner Pass!

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...

[@cheeze5875]

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

[@b3tomm12]

😂

[@shafimuhammad2268]

0k

[@JMiskovsky]

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

[@jasoncarswell7458]

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

[@kuhndj67]

They were majestic weren't they...

[@paull8678]

I find it hilarious that the KZbin 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]

Thanks for stopping by even if it was by accident!

[@paull8678]

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

[@karlmckinnell3944]

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

[@michaelhudecek2778]

😊😊😊

[@happyhighway106]

#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]

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

[@patrickratkinson2025]

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.

[@NoBody-ht1oh]

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]

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

[@kagenslookingglass]

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

[@beeble2003]

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

[@kennethdodge3779]

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

[@22Oatie]

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

[@mainecoastrailfan]

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

[@passthepipe1]

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

[@Senor0Droolcup]

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]

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

[@davemcmahon8140]

Now thats a thought!

[@davefroman4700]

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

[@ThePaulv12]

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]

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

[@leehuff2330]

Love the sound of those 567s getting after it!

[@gwechoochoo]

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.

[@coopercarguy]

America needs more trains.

[@canyoncruzr]

This is strangely satisfying to watch.

[@GhostDrummer]

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]

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

[@barryroberts2196]

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

[@user-qs1me6ez4i]

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

[@Gravity461]

@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]

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

[@jimsmith9819]

2 inches here is nothing

[@davemcmahon8140]

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]

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]

@@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.

[@caroldavis7169]

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

[@jrea424]

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

[@brendacoffman6259]

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

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Wow, Spectacular video of this operation.

[@7ideaproductions]

Glad you liked it!

[@resdupbug]

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

[@nc4tn]

Love to hear those 567’s powering the plows.

[@phildavies9082]

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

[@harrisonofcolorado8886]

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]

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]

best tool for the job.

[@gardenogauge]

What's the alternative?

[@Peter-pv8xx]

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

[@geomodelrailroader]

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]

@Bobb Grimley do ya feel smarter now?

[@SongMom8]

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

[@scottmorris2601]

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

[@heinzbreuer2674]

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

[@fhowland]

Man versus nature. Seriously impressive!

[@josipskrticdomin]

Train 🚂 and the snow ⛄️! Beautiful 😍

[@connie7226]

That is so cool to watch

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you!

[@skimmer8774]

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

[@sergiolandz6056]

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

[@anb7408]

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!

[@lindawebster815]

😘 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 🤗

[@keithgeisen]

To have narration added is well received - Thank you.

[@jayswarrow1196]

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

[@DJust_Me]

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

[@7ideaproductions]

Thank you and you as well!

[@1JUSTGOTLUCKY1]

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

[@scottkelley883]

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

[@Luredreier]

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

[@willmetz1490]

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

[@nikospapageorgiou57]

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!

[@telsat]

Love this

[@erichughes284]

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

[@schwags1969]

Very impressive. Thank you.

[@QbutNotTheQ]

2:25 A majestic herd of snow dozers.

[@Marlene-Ferreira]

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 🌟❤☃️🌟❤☃️🌟❤☃️

[@sceneanuerebelrebel9244]

This Winter ought to really keep you busy ...

[@judyhereid9723]

I could watch this allday

[@geoffreylee5199]

Great footage!

[@alcopower5710]

Outstanding footage 👍

[@BNforever2009]

Love this!!

[@davidhouser586]

Big cat engine sounds good pulling the snow blower

[@7ideaproductions]

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

[@Parents_of_Twins]

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

[@allenra530]

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]

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

[@averageguy7136]

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]

@@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]

@@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]

@@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.

[@ryanfrogz]

No kidding about the herd of snowdozers!

[@stbu9709]

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

[@spentacle]

Was the orange one the dominant male?

[@ryanfrogz]

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

[@ronbelnap8370]

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.

[@KPen3750]

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

[@drive9997]

Awesome great footage

[@williamrosier5558]

Ol Man Winter. . LOVE YOU.

[@georgepappas3790]

What a great video. Thank you.

[@7ideaproductions]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@TheDukeOfThunder]

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

[@barbararoberto1258]

Great video will watch again

[@robinatkinson6275]

Great production verry atmospheric

[@sotl97]

That would be a fun job.

[@nosaya3]

Some serious action!

[@artavproductions8987]

admiration for the people, the ingeneers, and their strenght

[@milkman81]

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

[@caseyalan5812]

Those snow dozers are so stinking cute! 😂😂

[@nitaleach6816]

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

[@tennesseegregario7253]

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

[@angeloavanti2538]

whoa. impressive.

[@dwkcamman611]

Nice work!

[@jamescampbell7780]

Impressive!

[@VirtualJMills]

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

[@jasonharrison25]

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

[@christopherkane2842]

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

[@keithfreeman5204]

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]

You are welcome!

[@chuck3441]

What is a ballast regulator?

[@trainsmachineryldegmtrains3509]

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

[@7ideaproductions]

Thanks for watching!

[@poopmcgee3826]

need a few of these for me driveway.

[@sgrvtl7183]

AMAZING‼

[@darrellborland119]

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.

[@gregbushman319]

AWESOME!

[@bluecollar58]

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

[@Gorthaur42]

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

[@emd6456]

Great video!

[@noworriesmate5903]

Beats my snowblower.

[@-PLAYER0NE-]

So cool! I just saw one pass by us in Auburn a while back. Definitely heading for the pass we’ve gotten a lot of snow lately.

[@shaunroberts9361]

This was so Cool to watch..

[@wildbillanderson9100]

VERY KOOL TO WATCH THANK U

[@rd264]

I like snowblowers and trains.

[@rx7cl]

So Wicked, I live in Illinois just went this last weekend on the holiday train at Illinois railway museum so Kool... They had One of the Snow blower train's there, standing in front of this beast is crazy.........

[@bigskygemsmontana9464]

The only place in California that is awesome!!

[@jimmyhook4852]

Now that's a long preview though. ^^

[@edadan]

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

[@7ideaproductions]

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.

[@mixedfruits2631]

Excellent

[@robertlombardi5317]

i love this

[@slapshot1343]

Greatest video EVERRRRR

[@jw4620]

Very cool!