TRACTOR TRAIN SETS OUT ON 645 MILE JOURNEY

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28399, 4 October 1957, Page 7

TRACTOR TRAIN SETS OUT ON 645 MILE JOURNEY

Belching billowing clouds of steam in a minus 46 degree temperature, seven crawler tractors and two weasels left Little America at noon on Tuesday for a 645mile run to Byrd Station, according to the United States Antarctic Expedition’s headquarters in Christchurch. This is the third trans-continen-tal tractor train to make the run since the trail was first opened during November last year. The 19-man crew have three living waggons, spare parts, some fuel, and nine 20-ton and three 10-ton sleds for hauling over 300,0001 b of cargo. It is believed to be the biggest haul ever attempted so early in the season in Antarctica. The 38-ton tractors have wide 64-in tracks specially designed for traversing snow and the drivers will change shifts every 12 hours. The only stops will be for fuel and vehicle maintenance.

The greatest obstacle expected will be the bone-chilling cold as expected temperatures on the high swept Rockefeller Plateau may be as low as minus 50 degrees. These temperatures turn the snow surface gritty, like sand. Another danger is the seven mile crevasse area untried since last February. Intensive aerial reconnaissance has been carried out and the leading weasel is fitted with an electronic crevasse detector. Pushing what resemble four huge dishpans at the end of four 20 feet stringers, the vehicle will advance slowly in the crevasse area. Any crevasses encountered will

Ibe blasted open and filled with snow to make a safe roadway across. The train commander is Lieutenant Robert K. White, who last February commanded the recordbreaking run. Air support is being provided day and night to replenish fuel supplies and in case of any emergency.