LNER / BR Steam Crane

LNER No. 8742 is a 15 ton steam crane, becoming BR No. DRC80116, and ending its duties in December 1988 with permanent way and engineering department duties. Along with its partner BR No. DRC80115, they were the last civil engineers’ steam cranes in BR stock. There is also a possibility (as yet unconfirmed) that these cranes were also designed to be used in tunnels, as there are several features that support this.

Both cranes arrived on the railway, having been successfully purchased from BR in 1991/2. 80115 was not serviceable, and was consequently resold to another railway. 80116 (or LNER No. 8742) had last been used in December 1988, and was able to be restored quickly, along with its match wagon – a 1961 bolster wagon, built by Cambrian. Since then it has been employed on the railway for a number of jobs, as can be seen from the photos below.

The BR crane drivers had a soft spot for the steamers in their last days. As spare parts became increasingly hard to get hold of, 80116’s driver kept it in service by using sawn-up sections of bullhead rail for firebars! Thanks to Mr. Yeomans for his memories as No.80116’s last driver on BR, taken from YDR News.

The crane was in intensive use during January 2003 to help with the relaying under Holywell Bridge, and the other work connected with that.

The crane now needs a boiler overhaul and then an inspection of the ropes.

Diesels & Plant - Past & Present

Diesels: Since departed

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