Found this picture of an American Locomotive crane over on RailPictures, http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 80172b1a1a,

and I was curious if it ever made it to the SCRM. If it has made the move, or the move is still pending, would someone contact me or give me a POC? I want to compare note on the movement of our Locomotive Crane.

Greg
greg@cscvrr.org

Your link got an extra character on it, and photos only post if they are .jpgs, so I'm reposting the the photo and link here for you:


Link: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=96114&PHPSESSID=2a80b8a04b473261d0126180172b1a1a

The caption at the link says this crane was actually fired up after sitting for all those years. Wonder just how much work had to be done at what appears to be a pretty remote location to get it running?

Anyone know the capacity rating of these cranes? I note there are no outriggers (or none are apparent). I've seen some ratings from 25 tons to 50 tons. Are there distinguishing features between the the various rated cranes of this design?

While I would love to see a comprehensive listing of all railroad cranes and their spotting characteristics, I haven't found one yet.

As to the outrigger question, locomotive cranes, like portal cranes are generally rated on wheels and at their minimum radius. Travel Town's American crane (s/n #1887) is rated at 40 tons at a 12' radius with a 50' boom. Our crane actually has a 55' boom so according to the chart it is rated at 73,800 pounds at 13'. Crane 1887 does have manual ouriggers which when used increase the maximum capacity to 100,000 pounds.

Greg

This particular crane is rated for 15 tons max.

It's still sitting just east of Anderson Quarry on the portion of the old R&R ROW that we don't own. Katrina spoiled the move by giving the company who was going to move it enough work to keep them busy for about 25 years. We're back to Square 1 on the move and trying something else.

The machine does run. The Cat diesel purrs like a... well, a cat. Larry Robb rebuilt the air pump, for which parts aren't available (of course -- the parts man actually laughed at him), and got that pumping again. The crane will move under its own power, the boom will go up and down, the cab will rotate, and the lift cable will go in and out. There isn't a piece of glass on it, the hook block is missing and the poor old thing needs a LOT of TLC, but for something that's been as abused as that crane has (it's been upside-down at least twice in its life, probably a lot more than that), it's in surprisingly good condition.

There are no outriggers nor is there provision for them. Counterbalance was handled by ballasting the heck out of the cab. The darned thing weighs 105 tons, that's why we're having trouble getting it moved.

Anyone who cares to donate to the cause can send a check or money order (the larger the better but anything will help) to SCRM, 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro, SC 29180 or PO Box 7246, Columbia, SC 29202.

Matt:

Do you need any copies of American Hoist & Crane manuals for this thing? RMNE has a 1954-built 25-ton American crane, Portland Terminal 198, and we have the operating and parts books for that crane. PT 198 looks identical to your crane. 198 does have the outriggers. Let me know and I'll get the ex-rox cranked up.

Everything around a railroad is heavy, or awkward, or both-- good lifting equipment is a must!

I'd post a few photos of PT 198, but can't figure out how.

One of our members contacted American and claims they're very interested in our machine. They've offered all the manuals, etc. we need. I'll confirm that and let you know if we need anything.

Matt,

Is it physically possible to run a rail connection to your ROW?

Snap track may be your answer.

Just a thought.

JD Johnson, Morehead and North Fork Railroad Historian

There are several problems with snap track.

1) The ROW between our end-of-track and the crane is owned by a gentleman who has constructed a private game preserve. He has a herd of Western Mule Deer in there, and DNR made him build a large berm and high, deer-proof fence to keep the foreigners from breeding with the local antlered devils. The berm and fence crosses the ROW in two places. Assuming we could get permission (not bloody likely), we'd have to somehow secure the deer, punch through the berm and fence, then rebuild them once the crane is through. That would probably cost as much as moving the thing on a truck.

2) The longer of the R&R's only two bridges (a multi-arch masonry viaduct) is located on that preserve. The bridge is badly deteriorated. I'd be nervous WALKING over it, let alone moving 105 tons over it.

3) Once to the end-of-track, it would be on our property, which would be an improvement. But, it would be out in the middle of nowhere on VERY shaky track. There are at least a half-dozen washouts west of Rion, one a good 30-40' long.

Lots of people in and out of the organization suggest this, but it's just not a realistic option.