Silverton Crane

John T · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:05 pm **Posts:** 1230

Does anybody know the story of this crane at Silverton, CO?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durango_a ... -10-25.JPG

Other side here:

https://www.trainboard.com/highball/ind ... ton.41111/

MD Ramsey · **Joined:** Fri Feb 26, 2010 9:52 pm **Posts:** 161

It was purchased used by the Durango & Silverton in the early 1980's, shortly after the railroad was sold by the DRGW. Not sure of it's heritage or who it was purchased from.

D&S MOW planned to use it to assist with the major track rehab that was going on at that time. It was supposedly self propelled, but was unsuited for use on the steeper grades on the railroad. The one time there was an attempt to use it during my time working there, it almost ran away when attempting to bring it down one of those grades. It was towed after that, but was seldom used.

Mike Ramsey

John T · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:05 pm **Posts:** 1230

Thanks mike. Try as I might I have been unable to find out anything about this machine. Don't even know what make it is. There just aren't that many 3' gauge cranes around.

JayZee · **Joined:** Sat May 07, 2016 1:12 am **Posts:** 140

I don't want to sound like a broken record, but if it's impractical for the D&S maybe another narrow gauge outfit can benefit from it like the EBT? Sounds mutually beneficial

John T · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:05 pm **Posts:** 1230

It is truly amazing that a piece of equipment on one of the most highly scrutinized railroads in the world has gone completely unresearched! Just goes to show that there is always something new to poke into.

M Secco · **Joined:** Sun May 12, 2013 2:46 pm **Posts:** 245

American Hoist and Derrick made a small standard gauge four wheel locomotive crane . I saw one up at the CNW Fond du Lac shops when I was up there working on the steam pile driver to get it ready to move to IRM at the time. It looked like a miniature DE 840 but it was gas powered . Whatever make the Durango crane is ,it sure has large sheaves at the tip of the boom which to me is kind of reminiscence of an Ohio. But the cab looks very Orton ish like. It's got hydraulics, it doesn't look that old except for the old style hook block . Get ahold of McHugh and see if they have anything on their Orton records .

John T · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:05 pm **Posts:** 1230

I agree it looks more like an Orton than anything else. Does McHugh have the Orton records? I contacted Orton years ago and was told that if I didn't want to buy something not to bother them.

M Secco · **Joined:** Sun May 12, 2013 2:46 pm **Posts:** 245

I understand they bought Orton and they are friendly to preservationist so I think that's two pluses in your favor.

John T · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:05 pm **Posts:** 1230

I have fired off a note to McHugh. We will see what happens.

John T · **Joined:** Sun Sep 14, 2014 5:05 pm **Posts:** 1230

No reply from McHugh.

Silverton Crane

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