Athearn HO GP9 Locomotive with DCC & Sound, UP #165

During the late 1960’s, UP modified some of their GP9 fleet with large snow plows from retired steam locomotives. UP called these “Pilot Snow Plows” but because of where they served, railfans simply referred to these as Branchline Plows. To combat areas with high snow fall during winter months, UP would run these GP9’s to help clear out snow on some of their branch lines where lighter weight power was needed.