Download - O scale trains

Heavy Lifting
As mentioned in the previous column, the lifting and moving
of heavy objects is an everyday part of railroad life. During
the 1970s, when I started railroading, most Class 1 railroads
maintained a recovery or wreck train at certain division points.
In my area, the Southern Railroad had a wreck train stationed
at Norris Yard in Birmingham, Alabama, and the Frisco had one
stationed at Tennessee Yard in Memphis, Tennessee.
These trains consisted of a locomotive crane, dormitory and
kitchen cars, supply cars, and material cars loaded with various
supplies usually needed at a derailment site. When a derailment
occurred, the necessary personnel, equipment operators,
and work train crew were called for service. Engines were
coupled to the train and it was dispatched to the derailment
location were it would remain as long as needed.
During the 1980s, when high-rail service vehicles replaced
the speeders and patrol cars, the railroads concluded it was no
longer economical to maintain these cranes and their crews
due to the cost and liability. Private companies were contracted
to come in with their equipment and personnel to work along
side railroad crews in both derailment cleanup and bridge and
track improvement projects. The locomotive cranes may be
gone, but lighter capacity self-propelled track cranes are still in
use today.
Photo 1 shows an Ohio-built Diesel crane, BN575509, tied
up on an industry track in Amory, Mississippi, a few months
ago. I have always heard these referred to as ”bridge cranes”, as
they are used in bridge replacement projects to lift and place
pre-fabricated concrete bridge panels and (with a pile driver
attachment) drive steel piling. An electro-magnetic disk and rail
clamp, used in rail and material recovery after a track improvement
project, make these multi-purpose cranes.
On occasions when a lift is necessary, beyond the capacity
of the bridge crane, heavy duty cranes are contracted. Photo 2
shows a pair of Grove TM-1500 cranes re-railing hopper cars
a few years ago in BNSF’s Birmingham Yard. The unique thing
24 • O Scale Trains - July/August ’07
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about this type crane is, when called for use by the railroad,
they arrive with separate high-rail wheel and motor attachments.
Once positioned under each end of the crane and connected
to the electrical system, the crane can maneuver and
travel on the track as a self-propelled vehicle to locations inaccessible
by road or highway.
Regardless of the time period you model, take a look
through the die-cast model pages of Ebay to see what’s available.
To simplify the search for O Scale models, select the category
of “construction equipment” in the scale of 1:43, 1:48, and
1:50. Here’s where the majority of construction vehicle models
will be found. You will find models of various types of cranes,
including the Grove TM-1500 six-axle crane shown in Photo 2.
While you’re at it, take a look at other construction equipment
models available. You might just find that particular model you
wish you had to complete, or build, a scene on your layout.
While you’re surfing the model pages of Ebay, don’t forget to
visit the “model trains, O Scale” section to see what’s available.
For any time-period modeler, you can find models of locomotive,
Burro, and other cranes produced by various manufactures
over the years. While most models may be 3-Rail, they can
usually be easily converted for two-rail operation.
No computer or Internet access Not a problem. Visit your
local hobby shop or toy store. If the item your looking for is
not in stock, it can usually be special-ordered. Local model
train shows, swap meets, and conventions are a good source
for those hard-to-find models. It’s not unusual to see dealers or
modelers from outside your area that may have just what you’re
looking for.
While this column deals with a support side of railroad life,
think about it the next time you put the five-fingered switcher to
work re-railing that locomotive or rail car. How would they do
this on the prototype Heavy lifting, of course. Until next time,
enjoy our hobby of O Scale trains and all it’s possibilities. u
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