Pages

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

East Side Railway Snow Sweeper #1455

I originally posted information about Antique Powerland on my website in a PLACES page on November 23, 2007 and last updated it on December 18, 2009. I am posting the railroad-related information here, with pictures and information from the 2010 Great Oregon Steam-Up. All of my information about Antique Powerland can be found at PlacesPages.

IMG_8122 East Side Railway 1899 McGuire Snow Sweeper #1455 at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on August 4, 2007
Snow Sweeper #1455 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

Snow sweeper #1455 was built for Portland's East Side Railway in 1899 by the McGuire Car Company. It is the oldest car in the OERHS collection. Streetcar companies were required by their franchise agreements with cities to clear the street of snow and dust. Often, this was necessary for the streetcars to operate anyway. On a snowy day, #1455 would go out in the morning ahead of the first streetcar to clear the tracks, and if it was snowing during the day, it might have to go out to rescue a stuck streetcar.

IMG_8125 East Side Railway 1899 McGuire Snow Sweeper #1455 at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on August 4, 2007
Snow Sweeper #1455 at Antique Powerland on August 4, 2007

The snow sweeper wasn't retired until the end of interurban service in 1958, but snow is relatively rare in Portland, and the last time it was used to clear snow was in 1954. After retirement, the snow sweeper was put on display at Oaks Amusement Park for a time before being donated to the OERHS.

IMG_5023 East Side Railway 1899 McGuire Snow Sweeper #1455 at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on July 31, 2010
Snow Sweeper #1455 at Antique Powerland on July 31, 2010

The snow sweeper hadn't seen much more progress by the 2010 Steam Up but it was much better location for pictures.

IMG_5024 East Side Railway 1899 McGuire Snow Sweeper #1455 at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon on July 31, 2010
Snow Sweeper #1455 at Antique Powerland on July 31, 2010

Links to Historical Photographs:
#1455 in service in Portland (Dave's Electric Railroads)

Continue to Los Angeles Railway H-Class Streetcar #1318

No comments:

Post a Comment