NEB&W Guide to MOW Rolling Stock - FlangersThis file is open to website members only
Last Update: 2009-11-06
Freight Car Guide Table of Contents
Rolling Stock Table of Contents
A flanger was basically a house car with a flanger blade underneath to clean the track just below and inside railhead - in other words, where the wheel flanges ride. As far as I know, the only cleaning was of ice. Dirt, mud, etc., I think, just got pushed out of the way by the wheel flanges themselves.
The flanger blade has to be raised at grade crossings, turnouts, track crossings, handcar sets, etc. so there is an operator inside the flanger whose job it is to watch out