Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Wreck Cranes

17973 views
30 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    September 2009
  • 30 posts
Posted by D&HRetiree on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 4:54 PM

When a replacement bridge is too heavy for a M of W crane especially where the location is not practical for contractor access the Engineering Dept will get an assist from the Mechanical Dept and one or more of their wrecking cranes.

I have seen pictures of wreck cranes removing old and installing new turntable bridges. 

I even recall when one wreck crane crew overturned their crane, another of the railroad's "Wreckers" was sent in to retrieve its fallen comrade. The second crew made proper use of their outriggers and performed a successful recovery!

I would keep one "Special Work Train" (politically correct term for "Wreck Train") on the layout. Even if only standing ready, it will make a good conversation piece. And just for "fun" it could be dispatched to an adjacent (unmodeled) divisiion to assist another wreck crew. At times these trains also operated off their home road to help out a neighboring road.

 

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!