Plowers plowing the snow road, Newfound Gap, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
After the storm comes the cleanup... At Newfound Gap, parking areas must be opened and roadways widened, because invariably, after a bout with Nature, the sun shines, and hordes of people drive to the top to view the winter spectacle. Grader in use.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7895, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Snow removal using jeep in Cherokee Orchard road, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
In the miscellaneous areas around the shops, at Twin Creeks and Cherokee Orchard, at the Visitor Centers, and at headquarters, the jeep is invaluable because of its mobility and flexibility. Here, the snow that fell during the February 18-20 storm is being cleaned from the Cherokee Orchard road. The jeep can efficiently handle snow up to about 12 inches.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7893, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Road after plowing, Newfound Gap, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
When the storm abates and the plows finish clearing the roadway, the surface must be made safe for all traffic. Sanding appears simple, but a high degree of judgment is necessary to determine the proper mix to apply to the road. When the surface is soft, gravel (1/2-inch maximum size) is most effective. On ice, gravel is useless, but sand provides traction. When the road cover is melting, gravel must be used because sand washes away. Calcium and sodium chloride are mixed in varying degrees with the aggregate. In cold weather, the percentage of calcium chloride is increased, and in warmer weather, calcium choloride is not needed. Obviously, sanding isn't as simple as it looks... Sanded road.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7899, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Oshkosh blade plow, Newfound Gap, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Storms often occur when large accumulations are recorded at high elevations and up to 6 inches fall on the lower slopes. Such was the case from February 18th to 20th. The drag plow, attached to a stake body dump truck, is effective up to a 6-inch accumulation of snow. It frees the larger blade plows for heavier work higher on the mountain. Here the drag is being operated in tandem with the old Oshkosh blade plow, which is on light duty, and is soon scheduled for replacement.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7891, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Oshkosh blade plow, Newfound Gap, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Storms often occur when large accumulations are recorded at high elevations and up to 6 inches fall on the lower slopes. Such was the case from February 18th to 20th. The drag plow, attached to a stake body dump truck, is effective up to a 6-inch accumulation of snow. It frees the larger blade plows for heavier work higher on the mountain. Here the drag is being operated in tandem with the old Oshkosh blade plow, which is on light duty, and is soon scheduled for replacement.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7892, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Workers adjusting the angle of plow blade, Newfound Gap, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The blade angle on a blade plow must be adjusted often to accommodate various snow conditions, and to allow plowing to either side of the roadway.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7887, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Snow removal operations in progress, Newfound Gap, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
If the amount of snowfall is moderate, the plows can push the berms back sufficiently. Occasionally, after a heavy snowfall, it has been found to be economical to remove the snow with front-end loaders. This equipment is also used to remove extremely large snow berms from along the side of US-441 so that the next storm will not cripple removal operations.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7896, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Plowers plowing the snow road, Newfound Gap, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
The blade plow is used as a supplementary unit at high elevations. It clears the snow from the roadway and puts it in position near the berm for Big John to push on over. In this picture, taken at Newfound Gap, the blade plow is reclearing a one-way roadway section of 4 to 6 inches accumulation. The plows are kept in continual operation during a major storm to keep abreast with the accumulating snow. Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7886, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Sanding operations in progress after snow removal, Newfound Gap, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
When the storm abates and the plows finish clearing the roadway, the surface must be made safe for all traffic. Sanding appears simple, but a high degree of judgment is necessary to determine the proper mix to apply to the road. When the surface is soft, gravel (1/2-inch maximum size) is most effective. On ice, gravel is useless, but sand provides traction. When the road cover is melting, gravel must be used because sand washes away. Calcium and sodium chloride are mixed in varying degrees with the aggregate. In cold weather, the percentage of calcium chloride is increased, and in warmer weather, calcium choloride is not needed. Obviously, sanding isn't as simple as it looks... Sand truck.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7898, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Plowers plowing the snow road, Newfound Gap, Tennessee
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
These pictures illustrate one advantage of tandem plowing: The workhorse V-Plow, Big John, bulls back the rapidly accumulating snow berm, while a blade plow follows to remove the residue from the roadway to make it safer for normal traffic.Snow Removal; February 1964 Monthly Report, II-R-SR-7883, Physical Facilities - Roads - Snow Removal Operations
Generously Supported By
