BN Oly Wrote:
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> There was an alternative style of rotary in the USA as well. I think it was called a williams brothers plow. I think GN/BN had a couple of them. It had a ferocious looking appendage hanging off the front that looked like a walnut chopper for snow.

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This seems to be it:
"U.S. Army # number not known Williams Bros Machinery Co. Built in March 1954. (Bros was a name, not the word 'brothers' abbreviated). Plow "snow chopper/blower/rotary" this unit had a pair of six wheel trucks the U.S. Army tested it on the Great Northern. Original reason for purchase or location for the Army unknown. To Army base at Ft. Lewis, WA. The ARR inspected it at Fort Lewis in the early 1960's. The ARR didn't want it "as it had too many moving parts", so declined the offer to transfer it from the Army to the ARR. Sold to Great Northern # X-1500 in 1966. Became Burlington Northern # X-1500, then renumbered # 972556. BNSF # ? sold to Red River Valley & Western # 113 (Minnesota); in service." [www.alaskarails.org] about 60% down the page

GN X1500: [www.railpictures.net], [www.google.com]

Google search [Red River Valley & Western # 113]: [www.google.com]

Google search [williams brothers railroad snow plow.]: [www.google.com]