Diesel Crane Listing

The following listing gives details of the diesel cranes operated by New Zealand railways that I am currently aware of.

Abreviations Used:

AJHRAppendicies to the Journals of the Houses of Representatives.
'Boilers' via C.B 'Stationary Engines etc and Boilers up to 1/3/1921' pp31-35
author not identified and undated- received via C.Barry
Downey Collection Les Downey collection (photographs, etc) Walsh Library, MoTaT
H.B Hurunui to Bluff section
NIML / NIML & Br North Island Main Line and branches
NZR&LS New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society
NZRO New Zealand Railway Observer
SIML / SIML & Br South Island Main Line and branches
WTT Working Timetable


Cranes: Diesel 60 Ton - Diesel 40 Ton - Diesel 15 Ton - Diesel 10 Ton - Diesel 4 Ton


NEI-Clarke Chapman (Cowans Sheldon) 60 Tonne Diesel Breakdown Crane

No. TMS Notes
EL6002 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL 6002 (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett)
Capacity: 60 Tonne (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Maker: Cowans Sheldon & Co. (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: Works No.31658/79 (Source: C.Capewell )
Date built: 1979 (Source: W.Prebble )
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal: Still in service with Tranz Rail
Locations noted: Auckland 1981 (Source: W.Prebble ), Palmerston North 1980-1994 (Source: C.Capewell)
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:
Named 'Tweety'
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EL6019 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL 6019 (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett)
Capacity: 60 Tonne (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Maker: Cowans Sheldon & Co. (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: Works No.31659/79 (Source: C.Capewell )
Date built: 1979 (Source: W.Prebble )
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal: Still in service with Tranz Rail
Locations noted: Auckland 1981 (Source: W.Prebble ), Te Rapa 1980-1994 (Source: C.Capewell)
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:
Named 'Speedy'.
click here for pictures

Diesel Electric. 1976 - tenders called for 2 x diesel 60 tonne breakdown cranes (source: NZRO 146 p84). Cranes arrived 1980. Max load 60 tonnes at 7.75m, 50 tonnes at 10m. Crane weight 134 tonne. Carriage - two 3-axle bogies and two relieving bogies. Rolls Royce 6-cylinder C6TFL diesel engine, producing 208kW at 200rpm. Based at Te Rapa and Palmerston North. (source: NZRO 163 p115 - includes pictures at Otahuhu shops on April 3, and Wellington station on May 5, 1980. ). First use of 60 tonners together on Dec 21, 1980 to recover Dc4415 derailed Dec 16, 1980 at Matahina. (source: R.Stratton NZRO 177 p32 ). Account of recovery of DX 5270 on Apr 15, 1983 with photos (source: D.M.Cole NZRO 175 pp110-111 ). Both cranes pictured recovering DFT 7173 Manawatu Gorge October 1998 (source: NZRO 236 p157). Crane runners Ea3298 and Ea 5780 (ex Ub2704), and support wagon Ea5048 (ex Ub2704) (source: G.Petrie/ D.Parsons ). Cranes have had drive motors removed following damage after being incorrectly prepared for running on trains. They are now positioned by loco. (source: M.Gullery) Both cranes currently (2003) resident at Thorndon Loco depot (under motorway overbridge) and operated as required in both Islands. (source: K.Edwards)

Built by NEI-Clarke Chapman Cranes Ltd at Cowans Sheldon works, Carlisle. (Jib marked Cowans Sheldon). Into service May 1980. Crane weighs 134 tonne on two 3-axle bogies, plus two 2-axle relieving bogies (151 tonnes all up). Relieving bogies are coupled by a hydraulic linkage. (Axle loading 22.33 tonnes or 15.1 tonnes with relieving bogies). Powered by Rolls Royce 6-cylinder C6TFL diesel engine, producing 208kW at 200rpm (as per Dsc shunter). Transmission is hydraulic. Jib is two piece with hydraulically operated telescoping and derricking. Capacity 60 tonnes at 7.75m, 40 tonnes at 10m, 23 tonnes at 14m with outriggers extended and blocked. Capacity 10 tonnes at 6.5m free on rails, or 20 tonnes with jib in line with rails. Will hoist maximum load at 5.7m per minute, or at 11m per min under 11 tonnes. Auxilliary hoist up to 6 tonnes at 30m per minute. Three sets of outriggers are hydraulically operated with built in hydraulic jacks. Outer pairs span 3.2m, centre pair 6.24m. Crane will travel on marshal order at 100kmh. Self propelled crane will travel at 10kmh. Crane will haul 100 tonnes up a 1 in 100 grade at 6kmh. Crane has air operated brakes. (source: Rails Vol.9 No.11)

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Cowans Sheldon & Co. Ltd 40 Ton Diesel Crane

No. TMS Notes
500EL4004 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL 4004 (Source: 76/345 of 23-7-1979 )
Capacity: 40 Ton (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Maker: Cowans Sheldon & Co. (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: 223 (Source: W.Prebble
Date built: 1964 (Source: W.Prebble
runner Ea2218 (Source: D.Parsons)
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal: Stored out of use at Hutt Workshops from 1995 (Source: C.Capewell), Reported under overhaul at Hutt in 2000 (Source: G.Petrie), Reported stored out of service at Hutt 2002, Scrapped by 2002 (Source: K.Edwards)
Locations noted: Auckland 1981 (Source: C.Capewell), Dunedin 1992 (painted red) (Source: A.Hamblyn.)
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:
Ordered 1961, supplied 1964. (Source: C.Capewell/NZRO)
Reported to be a frequent visitor, including some long term stays, for repairs at the Parnell Diesel depot during the 1970s (Source: Bruce ?)
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Cowans Sheldon & Co. Ltd 15 Ton Diesel Crane

No. TMS Notes
550EL1508 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL 1508 (Source: 76/345 of 23-7-1979)
Capacity: 15 Ton (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Maker: Cowans Sheldon & Co. (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: 22? (Source: W.Prebble )
Date built: 1962 (Source: W.Prebble )
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal: Noted formerly at Greymouth, at Middleton Loco depot 2001, at Linwood Loco depot by 2003 "On rotten row" (Source: A.Hamblyn),Scrapped May 2003 (after unsuccessful negotiations for preservation by Ferrymead) (Source: C.Dash)
Locations noted: Hamilton 1964 (Source: W.Prebble), Bay of Plenty (Source: K.Bennett ), Hamilton 1980 (Source: 27/592 of 29-8-1980), Te Rapa 1992 (Source: A.Hamblyn. ), Palmerston North 1994 (Source: C.Capewell )
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:
Replaced 124 at Te Rapa? (Source: K Edwards)
Photo (E.J.McClare) removing bridge span at Athenree Dec 12, 1979. (Source: NZRO 162 p71)
Painted yellow (Source: Darren Wilkinson)
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551EL1514 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL 1514 (Source: 76/345 of 23-7-1979)
Capacity: 15 Ton (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Maker: Cowans Sheldon & Co. (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: 22? (Source: W.Prebble )
Date built: 1962 (Source: W.Prebble )
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal:
Locations noted: Wellington 1964 (Source: W.Prebble), Napier 1980 (Source: 27/592 of 29-8-1980), at Napier prior to 1990, after which it was moved to Palmerston North (Source: G.Blackmore), Wellington 1994 (Source: C.Capewell)
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:
552EL1520 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL 1520 (Source: 76/345 of 23-7-1979)
Capacity: 15 Ton (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Maker: Cowans Sheldon & Co. (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: 226 (Source: W.Prebble )
Date built: 1962 (Source: W.Prebble )
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal: Out of use at Hutt Workshops 2000 (Source: C.Capewell)
Locations noted: Greymouth 1964, Westland (Source: W.Prebble), Greymouth (Source: 27/592 of 29-8-1980), Timaru 1994. (Source: C.Capewell)
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:
Reported to have received the jib from 550 (Source: W.Prebble)
553EL1537 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL 1537 (Source: 76/345 of 23-7-1979)
Capacity: 15 Ton (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Maker: Cowans Sheldon & Co. (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: (Source: )
Date built: 1962 (Source: W.Prebble )
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal:
Locations noted: Invercargill 1964 (Source: C.Capewell), Invercargill (Source: 27/592 of 29-8-1980),
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:

1964 - Diesel Hydraulic cranes, four imported in the last 12 months for Way and Works branch to be used for general engineering (not breakdown cranes). Powered by Rolls Royce 4 stroke diesel engines producing155bhp at 1800rpm. Self-propelling. (source: NZR Staff Bulletin Vol 13 No.2 p31 - courtesy K.Bennett) Photograph (crane not identified) Dec 1964 (source: NZRO 229 p26). EL15?? at Hutt workshops 1992 (source: A Hamblyn)

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Cowans Sheldon & Co. Ltd 10 Ton Diesel Crane

No. TMS Notes
511EL1013 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL 1013 (Source: W.Prebble )
Capacity: 10 Ton (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Maker: Cowans Sheldon & Co. (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: 223 (Source: W.Prebble
Date built: 1962 (Source: W.Prebble)
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal: ?
WTT entries (sighted):
Note: 27/592 of Nov 23, 1979 - at Otahuhu shops
Notes:
27/592 of 10-5-1988 crane reported as surplus at Mosgiel - noted as cannibalised, weight incl. jib/runner 62 tonne
512EL1036 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL 1036 (Source: W.Prebble )
Capacity: 10 Ton (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Maker: Cowans Sheldon & Co. (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: - (Source: )
Date built: 1962 (Source: W.Prebble )
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal: ?
Locations noted: Hutt Reclaim (Source: W.Prebble), Reported burnt out at Hutt workshops 1992 (Source: A.Hamblyn), Photographed in derelict condition at Linwood (Source: D.Wilkinson) , Reported at Gracefield 1994 (Source: C.Capewell)
WTT entries (sighted):
Note: 27/592 of Sep 20, 1979 - at Hutt shops
Notes:
Painted red (Source: A.Hamblyn)
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These cranes were not intended for 'breakdown' work. (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )




Ransomes & Rapier 10 Ton Diesel Crane

No. TMS Notes
197EL1007 Crane No Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
TMS No: EL1007 (Source: 76/345 of 23-7-1979)
Capacity: 10 Ton (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett )
Type: Diesel (Source: W.Prebble, K.Bennett)
Maker: Ransomes & Rapier (Source: W.Prebble)
Maker's No: F5637/1943 (Source: C.Capewell / N.Tobin)
Date built: 1943 (Source: W.Prebble
Runner: bogie wagon Ea2662 (Source: David Maciulaitis)
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal: Preserved - Weka Pass Rly ChCh (Source: W.Prebble)
Locations noted: South Island 1952 (Source: W.Prebble), Christchurch 1964 (Source: Kerry Bennett), Christchurch 1980 (Source: 27/592 of 29-8-1980)
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:
NZR's first diesel crane
Works No confirmed from makers plate by N.Tobin (axle box covers NZR Hyde 10x6)
Could be run on mixed and good trains. Not permitted on the Rewanui or Paparoa Inclines. (Source: NZR Working Timetable - SI 1952)
Now held by Weka Pass Railway with crane.
Has been on site at Waipara since April 1989. Purchased as simple and robust for preservation operations. (Source: Neville Tobin)
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Jones KL-44 4 Ton Diesel Crane

No. TMS Notes
198/
350		EL417 Crane No Source: 27/592 of 12-9-1979)
TMS No: EL417 (Source: 27/592 of 3-11-1982)
Capacity: 4 Ton (Source: 27/592 of 28-11-1979 )
Type: Diesel (Source: 27/592 of 28-9-1979)
Maker: Jones (Source: 27/592 of 10-5-1988)
Maker's No: (Source: )
Date built: 1950 (Source: 27/592 of 10-5-1988 )
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal:
Locations noted: Addington Stores (Source: 27/592 of 12-9-1979)
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:
27/592 of 28-9-1979 indicates the crane was renumbered as 350 in February 1979
27/592 of 3-11-1982 states the crane is to berenumbered EL 423 effective from 15-11-1982
27/592 of 10-5-1988 Ruston Hornsby diesel, hydraulic drive - crane reported as surplus at Addington, weight incl. jib/runner 10 tonne
407EL423 Crane No Source: 27/592 of 27-9-1979)
TMS No: EL 423 (Source: 27/592 of 3-11-1982)
Capacity: 4 Ton (Source: 27/592 of 28-11-1979)
Type: Diesel (Source: 27/592 of 27-9-1979)
Maker: Jones (Source: 27/592 of 28-11-1979)
Maker's No: (Source: )
Date built: 1953 (Source: 27/592 of 10-5-1988 )
Commenced Work: (Source: )
Disposal: Stored W.Rietveld Ltd, Dunedin (unserviceable - requires substantial repairs) (Source: C. Rietveld)
Locations noted: Hillside Stores (Source: 27/592 of 3-11-1982)
WTT entries (sighted):
Notes:
27/592 of 27-9-1979 indicates the crane was confined and did not require a TMS number
27/592 of 3-11-1982 states the crane is to be renumbered EL 423 effective from 15-11-1982,
27/592 of 10-5-1988 Ruston Hornsby diesel - crane reported as surplus at Hillside, weight incl. jib/runner 10 tonne
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