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Cranes (Breakdown, Permanent Way & Maintenance)
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45 Ton Steam Crane
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15 Ton Diesel Hydraulic Crane
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Track Relaying Crane
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6 Ton Yard Hand Crane
This is the Bachmann Ransomes & Rapier 45 ton steam crane after the application of some subtle
weathering / fading of the red and black paintwork using thin light coloured washes, with the
addition of oil and grease deposits around the turret area. There's a siding just made for it
at the back of Hornsey Road depot, keeping a couple of support vehicles company.
Flickr link shows the crane at Willesden C1977.
This particular crane was delivered to the GWR at Stafford Road Works, Wolverhampton in 1940. In
the late 1960s it was allocated to BR(M) spending time at Tyseley and Saltley, then spells at
Willesden & Crewe during the 1970s. It wouldn't be too difficult to modify this crane to the later
mid-war LNER deliveries, which would involve making new cylinders and steam chests. As it spent
some time in North London, the easiest option for now is to leave it as it is..... at least it's
received some customisation!
Taking a spin out on the main line behind BR Derby type 2 number 7593, with support vehicles, a
steel High wagon and brake van. The conversion to EM gauge is very straightforward utilising the
existing wheels with the flanges reprofiled. It's apparent in this view that some adjustment to the
tool van ride height is required.
Next up from the Permanent Way Department is a 10 ton diesel hydraulic crane constructed from the
Airfix / Dapol plastic kit, paired with a modified Airfix bogie bolster 'A'. This model utilises a
3D printed chassis
available as a free download from Thingiverse instead of the kit bogie arrangement. The
bogie versions were only sold to private industry.
It's put in many appearances over the years at Eastwell Ironstone, Shenston Road, Wibdenshaw and
Hornsey Broadway. Based loosely on a Booth Rodley crane of 1958 as supplied to BR(W).
Hymek 7098 at the head of a permanent way train made up of a couple of bogie bolster C wagons
loaded with girders, the Booth & Rodley crane, bogie bolster A match wagon, an ex-GWR
Toad used as a mess / tool van, with an open wagon and brake van tagged on the end.
Another model built and modified by Greg Brookes for Shenston Road using the Airfix / Dapol kit
in a more accurate form, utilising a modified steam tender chassis. A bogie bolster A is used as
a runner for the crane, with the tool boxes built from plasticard.....
.... and another view of it being hauled out on the main line by English Electric type 3 - 6972.
A typical formation for the PW train hauled by Hymek D7036, consisting of a Ruston & Hornsby
shunter PWM654, staff coach and a 15 ton diesel hydraulic crane with support vehicles. The
Impetus R&H shunter was motorised, but has now been de-meshed to run in this formation.
One of three Western Region track relaying vehicles DW274 that survived into the early 1980s,
built at Swindon Works in 1953.
The three WR examples were DW274 (later DRB78114); DW275 (later DRB78115) and DW276 (later DRB78116).
All were built at Swindon in 1953 and they also built one for the ScR (TRM1/10, also numbered DB965311
and later DRB78100) and another for the ER (78/002, also numbered DB966480 and later DRB78104).
The jibs are made from the ever useful Evergreen plastic strip range of sections.
The staff got in from the ends of the cabin - you can just see the open access on some of the grainy
internet images. Hanging orange jackets wait in anticipation for the next bit of track lifting!
The old Triang Hornby Cowans Sheldon hand crane is a fairly accurate model, this example with
some additional detail and a repaint. This model dates back to the Holmeworth days (it still isn't
finished), paired up with a ZSV 3 plank open wagon DM475530 used as a runner. This type of crane
was usually confined to yards and not very often found out on the main line. Used for lifting
general merchandise, or the end of a wagon for replacing wheelsets.
Here's a couple of images of the Canada Street's Cowans
Sheldon 6 ton hand crane, modified from the Hornby model and seen here at Easington Lane.
