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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 9 (December 1, 1936)

Snow Protection Devices

Snow Protection Devices.

Normally, severe snowstorms are not frequent at Home. In northern England and Scotland, however, occasional heavy falls are experienced, and then the huge snow-ploughs with their “V” shaped prows are brought into use. Across the Channel, countries like Norway, Sweden, Germany and Switzerland, suffer more from the ravages of the snow fiend. There, the exceedingly powerful rotary type of snow-plough is employed for clearing the track. Many permanent devices are utilised for snow protection in central and northern Europe. These include concrete and timber snow fences constructed alongside the railway, and the planting of timber belts on sloping land adjoining the tracks. Both these precautions are necessary to prevent the blocking of the line, with all its attendant difficulties. In Switzerland, one clever device to fight the snow takes the form of fitting timber doors to tunnel entrances. These not only stop the percolation of snow therein, but also prevent the formation of ice on the tunnel roof. The doors are opened automatically by an approaching train, and close when the train has passed through. In the door, two large slots, opening automatically, release the air currents set up by the train's passage.