Scranton in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Claremont & Concord Snow Plow #60

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

1. Claremont & Concord Snow Plow #60 Marker

The photo is of DL&W snow plow #99260.

Inscription. Coupled in front of the locomotive, this type of wedge-shaped plow simply pushed snow to the side. Because of their reliance on a locomotive's momentum, plows were often operated at high speeds - a practice fraught with danger. Nonetheless, snow removal was slow work; plows often retreated to sidings to allow passenger and freight trains to pass. The Boston & Maine Railroad shops built Snow Plow #60 before 1910.

In a snowstorm, "the engineers and the firemen, the conductors and the brakemen, the operators, train dispatchers, foremen and superintendents all have multiplied toil and exposure. The warfare between these men and the elements is worthy of being understood. It is warfare wherein brain and muscle are arrayed against cold, darkness and avalanches, against death in a thousand forms."

Erected by Steamtown Nataionl Historic Site - National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.

Location. 41° 24.462′ N, 75° 40.253′ W. Marker is in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in Lackawanna County. Marker can be reached from Mechanic Street, on the right when traveling east. Located on an overlook of the rail yard on the roundhouse at Steamtown National

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Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Scranton PA 18503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. DL&W Coal Hoppers (here, next to this marker); Long Island Railroad #193 Rotary Snow Plow (here, next to this marker); New Haven Trap Rock Company #43 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1902 Roundhouse Office (within shouting distance of this marker); E.J. Lavino & Company #3 (within shouting distance of this marker); Turntable (within shouting distance of this marker); 1902 Roundhouse Section (within shouting distance of this marker); Tank Car (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scranton.

Also see . . . Claremont & Concord Snow Plow #60. (PDF) Additional details and a photo of the plow from the Park Service site. (Submitted on June 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Markers on the Overlook of the Rail Yard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, July 25, 2008

2. Markers on the Overlook of the Rail Yard

Coudersport & Port Allegany Snowplow image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, September 19, 2008

3. Coudersport & Port Allegany Snowplow

A snowplow car, similar to that described on the marker, is on display at the Pennsylvania Railroad Museum, in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. This example was made around 1890 and served until 1945.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,125 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 13, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on June 14, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.