During the winter months, railroads are in a constant battle to keep their lines clear so trains can continue to operate uninterrupted. To fight snow on its many branch lines, The Milwaukee Road employed large “Omaha” style plows mounted to gondolas to keep routes clear. While effective, the cars were not strong enough to withstand constant bucking.

This was resolved in 1952 when MILW president John P. Kiley suggested gondolas be replaced with tenders from retired steam engines since their cast steel frames were designed to withstand greater force. Tenders of 10,000 gallon capacity were selected from retired Ten Wheelers, Prairies, Consolidations, and Pacifics. The Kiley Plows were built at the Milwaukee Shops, and deployed across the MILW system. Filled with sand for ballast, these cars proved to be very effective at snowfighting.

In the early 1980s, three Kiley Plows (MILW X900240, X900242, and X900245) were purchased by RSA Leasing. Plow X240 and X242 were acquired by Ontario Midland Railroad (OMID), while X245 went to Ontario Eastern Railroad (ONER). When ONER shut down, X245 was moved to the Ontario Central Railroad. Plow X242 was sold to Livonia, Avon & Lakeville, and upon arrival, the car was numbered 4410 and painted in the same black and yellow scheme as the locomotives. It is unknown if the plow was ever used in snow removal service on the LA&L, and it has been stored on the siding alongside the Lakeville Shop for at least twenty years with other retired company service cars.

In November 2023, it was donated to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum where it will be preserved as a piece of important local shortline history. We enjoy a strong relationship with the LA&L, and we would like to thank everyone who made this donation possible.

Technical Data

• Built by Milwaukee Road, Milwaukee Shops
• Milwaukee Road X900242 (1952)
• Ontario Midland Railroad X242 (1980)
• Livonia, Avon & Lakeville 4410
• Donated to R&GVRRM in 2023