Please be aware of our copyright notice. If you have a good reaon for using a photo from this site ask permission from first - it is frequently given.

Breakdown Cranes

The breakdown crane has long been one of the more interesting vehicles on our railways which, in its time, has been hand operated, steam powered and nowadays diesel powered.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger image. If there is a larger version, rclicking on the 'F' key will display it. Clicking again will close the window. Cowans Sheldon DB965183   This 1970s photograph shows Cowans Sheldon 30 ton diesel breakdown crane DB965183 (later ADB965813, and then ADRC96100 under TOPS) which was paired with match wagon DB998530. Initially allocated to Feltham in June 1962, it was moved to Clapham Junction in September 1970 and to Horsham in September 1980. It was still at Horsham in April 2001, but is now thought to be with Fastline at Doncaster. Photograph by John Lewis. Clapham Jn   Following the collapse of Clapham Junction's 'A' Box on 10th May 1965 this Cowans Sheldon crane was brought in to help with repairs. Obviously all traffic on the Windsor side of Clapham Junction was suspended for some considerable time. This photo was taken three or four days after the event by which time all passing traffic did so within the confines of a very severe speed restriction which was probably 5 mph. That applied even to the Brighton lines which is why this passing shot, taken from the window of an up Brighton service, is so sharp. Photograph by Mike Morant.

Ransomes & Rapier

The steam crane was a part of the railway landscape for very many years, indeed it lasted longer than the steam locomotive with several still being used into the 1970s. Fortunately, several have passed into preservation at various heritage railways around the country, one of which is the ex-Exmouth Junction 45 ton crane, DS1580, that was made by Ransomes & Rapier.

DB1580   DS1580 re-constituted from three photographs - which were not quite in alignment! DS1580 was built for the Southern Railway in Ipswich by Ransomes & Rapier during 1944/5 as part of an order for six cranes, two for the Southern and four for the GWR, of the same type as had been previously ordered to prepare the railways for bomb damage during WWII. A total of sixteen were built, some for the Army, and of this sixteen nine have survived into preservation, though only a third of these is presently in working condition. When Exmouth Junction (now part of the Western Region) closed in 1965 DS1580 was transfered to Newton Abbott, then to Plymouth Laira and Old Oak Common before being withdrawn in 1984. After spells at the Gloucestersgire Warwickshire and Llangollan Railways it was purchased by the Mid hants Railway in 1992, overhauled and placed back in service in 1993. Photograph by Ian Morgan. Jib on Match truck The jib resting on it's match truck. These cranes were fitted with Stokes Bogies, which were a Ransomes & Rapier invention to spread the crane's axle loading. This enabled them to travel over most parts of the British Railway system. Photograph by Ian Morgan. Jib raised   The jib is now raised and in action. The cranes were also built to the Hasting line loading gauge giving great route availability. Photograph by Ian Morgan. Original Location DS 1580 proudly proclaims her original location, albeit in British Railways' colours rather than those of the Southern Railway. Photograph by Ian Morgan.

This page was last updated 24 April 2003