Illinois Railway Museum Blog

CHICAGO GREAT WESTERN 4051

IT IS HERE, safe and sound!  Now all we need is some snow. 

Front and Right

Left and Rear

Builders Plate

This winter was not typical but who knows what the future will hold.  Here is the plow as it sits today on our Yard 8 Connector Track.  It has been little modified over its life, but there are some changes we will probably do like close up the doorway cut into the rear end of the plow.  And of course make new windows and doors to replace those that are missing.

Diagram

Here is a railroad diagram sheet of the plow supplied by Erich Russ courtesy of Chicago & North Western Historical Society.

The plow was delivered as number X 38 and sported at least three color schemes on the CGW. More research is needed, but it seems right now that it was maroon with the railroad name and Corn Belt logo, then maroon with black plow faces and roof and reporting marks only, and finally all over bright orange.  That could change as we get more research done.  Morning Sun Books has published data so if you have a copy of their book, please review that section.

The final scheme was in C&NW yellow with the ball and bar herald (after the merger) but still retaining CGW reporting marks, renumbered as 4051.  Note that there was a temporary drawbar that was removed from the plow when working snow to provide a smoother face for shedding the snow.  If we were to paint our plow in the maroon scheme, it would be a perfect match to our restored CGW 601 caboose, and could stage a credible plow train consist for photos.

Amazingly, it seemed to sport only these few color schemes over its service life, and of course was always lettered for CGW, even after CNW absorbed that line.

I would be remiss if I did not take time out here to recognize our member, Mr. Lucien Opperman, who has supported the project and done a LOT of legwork and research into the history.  He resides over 2000 miles from us in Union, but has taken the effort to help on this.  Isn't the internet wonderful?  Thank you!

But wait, I am getting ahead of myself.  The FIRST thing we need to do is to cover all acquisition costs which may include purchase, transportation, and associated track charges.  We have had some very generous support, especially from IRM members, and some of these were making good on pledges made five years ago when the possibility of first acquiring this plow first came up.  I have a list and if any of you are unsure of your promise, please contact me separately so I can refresh your memory.

But as new equipment goes, this happened quickly and on a fairly small budget.  Getting this plow - PRICELESS.  PLEASE, let's begin its IRM history by erasing all charges and starting off with a clean slate.  Donations may be sent to

Illinois Railway Museum

Box 427

Union IL 60180

And designate it for the CGW Snowplow or for fund  R 4051.