Crane (railroad)
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A railroad crane or a crane car is a piece of rail transport maintenance of way equipment. It generally resembles a conventional fixed-location crane except that the platform the crane sits on is a heavy-duty reinforced flat car. Directly underneath the center of gravity for the crane is a pivot point that allows the crane to swivel around 360°; in this way the crane can locate its boom over the worksite no matter what its location is along the track. The trucks on the car under the crane will often include traction motors so that the crane is able to move itself along the track, and possibly tow additional cars.
Normally a separate match car, often a heavy-duty flat car, is coupled to the crane's car as an idler car where the boom can be secured for transportation. It can also carry items such as extra ballast, or items such as sleepers for putting under the outriggers.
Railroad cranes (sometimes wrecking cranes or 'big hooks') were necessary to every railroad to pick up derailed cars and engines; while also assisting with bridge building and yard construction. In the early days of railroading, the engines and cars were small enough to be rerailed with jacks and tackle, but as they became bigger, and were made out of more steel--hence much heavier--another method was needed. Enter into this the steam crane and cable winch. Appearing about 1890, the cranes increased in size, commensurate with the rise of steel Pullman cars, so by 1910 cranes reached their peak of development. Many of these 1910 era cranes were so useful and powerful, that they remained in service until the 1980's. The combination of a quick firing steam boiler, heavy steam winch, cable hook could little be improved upon, and thus remained in service. Also, steam engines did not mind being parked for months, with a little care, and were ready to go to work when needed.
In the 1980's big, hydraulic controlled diesel cranes, with safer winding drums appeared. Also, these cranes had the ability to travel on the highway so as to better able to get to the scene of an accident. They are much more mobile, and are able to manoevre around an accident scene, better than a crane only limited to rail access.
Builders Include
- Industrial Brownhoist
- American Hoist and Derick
- Ohio Railroad Crane
- Lima
- Bucyrus
- Moore Speedcrane
- Link-Belt
- Marion
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