UP Rotary Takes On The Donner Pass

The infamous Donner Pass is tamed by this rotary beast!

These 16 foot high A-units can plow snow banks as high as 12 feet! The centrifugal force created by the swirling 11 foot fan blades can propel the snow upwards of 100 feet to either side of the unit. Turning at 60-90 revolutions per minute, the rotary unit can move around 4-8 mph, acting as a giant auger chewing into snow banks.

The historic Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada Mountains can accumulate over 65 feet of snow in a single season and presents major challenges to the railroad during the winter.

Let us know if you have had the chance to see it action. We would love to hear your thoughts.