Description: Drag Flangers were the Rio Grande's second line of defence against snow on the 3-foot gauge lines in Colorado and New Mexico. Hauled immediately behind a large steam loco, these devices cleared snow from between the rails and around the train and pushed it away from the rails. The blade can be lifted remotely for grade-crossings from flanger-capable locomotives. That explains the extra airhose at the front of the car, and the switchstand target that showed the crew that the blades had been lifted correctly. The model is based on a wood and whitemetal kit from Rio Grande Models, but much of the whitemetal hardware was replaced with more accurate, scratchbuilt, parts in wood, brass and styrene. Grandt trucks and Kadee couplers complete the construction. It's painted, lettered and finished to match photos of the prototype from the late 40s and early 50s. The prototype exists today at the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Co.