JR Tokai russell plow to have its last season

[bikkuri bahn]

JR Tokai's operating russell type snow plow had its pre-season check run today, on the Tokaido Line between Ogaki and Maibara.  There will also be a check run on the Takayama Line between Hida-Oosaka and Inotani on 15~17th of this month. Due to the aging of this equipment (built in 1979), the plow will be retired at the end of this winter season. Over the last five years, the russell plow has seen zero uses on the Tokaido Line, while on the Takayama Line, it was used 20 times last season.

 

http://mainichi.jp/select/wadai/news/20111109k0000e040048000c.html

 

Starting off from Ogaki Station:

[miyakoji]

Maybe it hasn't seen any use on the Tokaido, but the Takayama Line will needs something, unless they plan on closing it when it's blocked by snow, which seems unlikely to me.  Have you read anything about new equipment?

[bikkuri bahn]

Haven't seen/read what they'll replace it with, but probably something like this:

 

It's modern, and likely much cheaper to maintain and store in the off-season.