Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Railway Snowplow - Spreader - Ditcher Car
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
1. Railway Snowplow - Spreader - Ditcher Car Marker
The O.F. Jordan Company of East Chicago delivered this car to the US Army in November 1953, for testing at Fort Eustis, Virginia. More commonly referred to as the "Jordan Spreader," it was designed to be a heavy duty snowplow, a ballast spreader, and a ditching machine all in one. It was a surprisingly simple piece of equipment with virtually no complicated parts, so it required very little maintenance. Designed for year round use, this car, with no organic power source, required a 1600 hp diesel-electric locomotive or 2-8-0 class steam locomotive (like the No. 607) in order to provide sufficient air supply and traction for successful operations. Since it tended to derail, the spreader was frequently used in tandem with the 75-ton wrecking crane.
Primarily used for track maintenance, the vertically stowed arms were lowered and locked in place when in use. Early models used air-actuated pneumatic cylinders to adjust the wings. This was changed to hydraulic pumps after 1950. During winter, it cleared snow and ice in yards, terminals, and on tracks with the two large plows next to the cab. During warmer seasons, it spread and leveled ballast, formed slopes and banks, built and widened roadbeds, and cut away excess ballast. The car was capable of 25 miles of ditching and roadbed shaping in one day.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Railroads & Streetcars • War, Cold. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1953.
Location. 37° 10.013′ N, 76° 34.463′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. Marker can be reached from Washington Boulevard just south of Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. 0-6-0T Side-Tank Switcher (here, next to this marker); Railway Training Caboose (a few steps from this marker); Model 666, Truck, Prime Mover, 6 Ton, 6×6 (a few steps from this marker); Railroad Maintenance Cars (a few steps from this marker); M915A4, Truck, Tractor, 14 Ton, 6×4 (Up-Armored) (a few steps from this marker); Caiman, Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), Category II, 6×6 (within shouting distance of this marker); M1070, Truck, Tractor, 8×8 (HET) (within shouting distance of this marker); Berlin Duty Train - Guard Car (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
2. Railway Snowplow - Spreader - Ditcher Car Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
