Chicago Great Western X 38 Russell Snow Plow

The adventure begins!  Baby steps to be sure, but we had two volunteers out on Saturday that eagerly (?) took up the challenge.

Left Wedge

Florida resident, Kirk Warner, is needlechipping many old layers of paint off of the left side of the wedge plow.  I bet you thought LEFT WEDGE referred to a new football formation.

Left Wing

In keeping with the football theme, LEFT WING also is not referring to that sport (or to hockey?).  Dick Cubbage is removing years of old paint, here on the left wing of the plow.

Thanks to the generosity of several contributors, we are able to share these photos of CGW snow plows - THE ORANGE YEARS 

CGW X 38. Robert S. Vaughn Photo, Don Vaughn Collection

Here is our own X 38 resting in the summer sun at Oelwein, Iowa.  The bright orange is pretty much faded, but otherwise the equipment seems in good repair.

CGW 4057.  Ted Schnepf Photo, Don Ross Collection

According to the photo credit this has been renumbered to CGW 4057 and is shown at Eagle Grove, Iowa in 1978.

CGW X 32.  Robert S Vaughn Photo, Don Vaughn Collection

What could be more refreshing than this spectacular winter view of the X 32?  Especially with the forecasters predicting record 97 F for tomorrow?  The plow is resting here between storms at Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1971.  The X 32 was an older plow, but here a good idea of what winter snow fighting was all about in ORANGE.

Some research work has been done and thanks to the generosity of several owners of vintage images we are able to share them here with you.

Don Vaughn Collection Photo

I really like this photo, and it is an early color image, shown here in Clarion, Iowa about 1950.  I THINK this represents the second paint scheme our plow wore, still in the scheme with the classy Corn Belt Logo, but with air horns revised and wedge and wings painted black. Lettering and logo in white.

Don Vaughn Collection Photo

As close to a builders photo as you will likely find, this is our plow as delivered to the CGW at Oelwein, Iowa in 1936.  The headlight is covered for transit, and there is the temporary ladder at the plow end, an AAR requirement to allow crews to climb to the roof from either end.

Don Vaughn Collection Photo

Don Vaughn Collection Photo

And these photos are true Builders Photos, but of the X 37, identical and one number lower than our X 38.  Both images taken at the Russell Plow Works in Ridgway, PA in 1936

Rex Beach Photo, Joe Pierson Collection

Finally here is great image of our plow in Oelwein, Iowa wearing what I believe is the fourth paint scheme in the many colors it wore.  In this case almost everything was dipped in a bright safety orange color.  Black numbering, no herald.

I hope you all enjoyed this picture essay, we will have more coming.  In the meantime, we have not covered all the acquisition costs, not accumulated money for materials to make repairs and restorations of various parts of the plow.  The fund has been set up using its original service number, fund R X 38, but do not be confused, it is the same piece of equipment.  Thanks