Nostalgia & History > Chessie System steam, and no not the 614

A work/wreck (?) train drifts across the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry, WV on October 22, 1980.  The steam powered crane was indeed live as the smell of coal smoke was noticable after the train had passed.

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This is an image and a memory to treasure - First-class photo.
Bob

Really nice shot !
I didn't think any steam cranes were still operating that late.
Gary

The tender appears to have a load of coal in it.

Forgive my ignorance. How long could this crane operate in this configuration? How much coal would this size boiler use? With so much awkward space between the coal bunker of the tender and crane cab, how is the boiler heated, and also how is the water level filled? Could the crane crew operate like this for hours, or does the tender need to be switched somehow close to the crane for water and coal?

gcm Wrote:
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> Really nice shot !
> I didn't think any steam cranes were still
> operating that late.
> Gary

Would not have thought their were any coal fired steam wrecker derrick in service in 1980.
However, SBD donated an oil fired  steam wrecker derrick to the Kentucky Railway Museum in 1984. 
ALLEN

New773 Wrote:
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>>> Forgive my ignorance. How long could this crane operate in this configuration?
 
Quite a while actually. Remember, it's really not working if it's not making a lift.

>>>How much coal would this size boiler use?
  
  Not a lot. It's actually a relativally small boiler.

>>>With so much awkward space between the coal bunker of the tender and crane cab, how is the boiler heated, and also how is the water level filled?
  The crane doesn't operate from the tender like loco. It has it's own coal and water supply. the tender is just a reserve.

Could the crane crew operate like this for hours,
 
Yes. Keep in mind that the crane only is working when it's making a lift which is usually short and far between. The crane actually spends most of it's time idling while a car is prepared to be lifted or track is repaired so the crane can advance.

>>>or does the tender need to be switched somehow close to the crane for water and coal?

This why rubber tired cranes or sidebooms are so far superior.

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA

Never liked to see these trains leaving a terminal, but the cranes were fascinating to watch in operation. I got to watch the coal fired on the B&O and oil fired on PC and EL. Cool shot of the wreck train though, in a very cool spot!

Bill Rettberg
Bel Air, MD

krm152 Wrote:
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> gcm Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Really nice shot !
> > I didn't think any steam cranes were still
> > operating that late.
> > Gary
>
> Would not have thought their were any coal fired
> steam wrecker derrick in service in 1980.
> However, SBD donated an oil fired  steam wrecker
> derrick to the Kentucky Railway Museum in 1984. 
> ALLEN

If memory serves me Chessie still had a steamer at Newport News in the mid 80’s.

Posted from iPhone

Doug Wetherhold
Macungie, PA