Canadian Railroads > "The Pettibone" at Kamloops

Pettibone is a specialist crane manufacturer, (from Pettibone TX ?) who builds cranes for the railway and oilfield industry.

In the railway industry, they are best known for their "Speed Swing" rail cranes.

However they did manufacture a number of 130 ton capacity heavy lift cranes designed to replace the rail mounted auxiliary cranes (derricks) used by most railways.

Sadly, these highway cranes came at a time when "Hulcher" was taking over the task of clearing derailments, and in some cases, the "Pettibones" were disposed of along with the auxiliary cranes.

Two remain in service in British Columbia, and the Coquitlam Pettibone is seen in Kamloops preparing to return to its home base in Vancouver.

This crane was built in 1985. Cranes of all types have very long service lives, and at 30 years, this machine is in it's prime. 

I should point out that the "Fairmont" hi-rail equipment on both vehicles is original to 1985 too. One explanation for the short life span of parts of the truck is that it sees almost daily service across BC on its own, often being all that is needed for car department employees to repair damaged equipment. Nowadays, most railway road vehicles are leased and it may be that once the truck part reaches a certain number of kilometers, it is returned to the lessor.

The truck which carries the crane accessories has the original box, but in on its third chassis. Abit like grandfathers hatchet, which has had five handles and three blades, this truck started out with a Ford Louisville cab and a yellow paint scheme.  The driver said it is scheduled for yet another cab and chassis, but the 1985 box will remain.

 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/15 11:20 by eminence_grise.