Cranes in NZR Service

Literature Review

The following list records the crane, railway, and related books which I have investigated so far in my search for craneinformation. This is not intended as a comprehensive listing of everything I have looked at, but rather records those in which I found something (potentially) useful. For magazines I have investigated see my listings of details from NZ Rails, NZ Railway Observer, and NZ Railfan.

The listing is in three sections. The first section is New Zealand railway books, and notes results of crane details found. (See a fuller NZ railway bibliography here). The second section details my reading on the history of cranes and excavators. (See a fuller crane bibliography here). The third section is other works of relevance (predominantly on engineering).

If the list looks short, I only started this section in December, 2002. You can figure out how many books I have been getting through each month! However, although I'm good at reading, I'm not so good at recording what I've read here - so this list tends to be a bit behind!

This is a work in progress, so if you are aware of something I should read which is not listed, feel free to contact me at treweek@ cs.waikato.ac nz.

NZ Railway Books - Crane and Excavator Books - Other Books

NZ Railway Books

To date I have found nothing comprehensive on cranes here in New Zealand - just snippets of text here and there, and pictures that tend to relate to wreck recovery. While frustrating, it does reinforce that this is a subject niche that needs filling! Please remember that my interest is cranes and not railways in general - I am looking for two main elements - crane details, and background to the environment in which the cranes worked. The list is in date order read.

Churchman, Geoffrey B & Hurst, Tony. The railways of New Zealand : a journey through history. Wellington (N.Z.) Transpress New Zealand, 2001 224 p.ill. (some col.), maps, 30 cm. Subject Heading(s): Railroads--New Zealand--History. Notes: Previous ed.: Auckland (N.Z.) Collins, 1990. Includes bibliographical references (p. 224) and index. (UoW Library)

Useful introduction (chaps 1-4) summarising development of rail in New Zealand. Bulk of book describes various lines making up rail system. Concludes with short summary of steam preservation.

Raises useful questions about operating context!
New Zealand Railways. New Zealand Railways South Island Working Timetable of December 1952: with an introduction by T.A. McGavin. Wellington (N.Z.) New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society 1979 viii, 242, vp. map 25 cm. Subject Heading(s): Railroads--New Zealand--South Island--Time-tables. Notes: Index Facsimile reproduction of the timetable, "...an essential source of information about rail transport methods and technology at any given period" (UoW Library)

As title notes, facsimile of 1952 issue (use from Dec 14th) - important edition as first published complete since 1937 and last before change away from steam. Intro by Tom McGavin. Very useful primary source document

Sections relevant to cranes - general instructions section 11. Crane numbers listed! Note pages 168-170 for later ref.
New Zealand Railways New Zealand Railways North Island working timetable of July 1947 : a facsimile reproduction / with an introduction by T.A. McGavin. Wellington, N.Z. : New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, 1985. viii, 320, vi p. : maps ; 25 cm. LC Subject: Railroads--New Zealand--North Island--Time-tables. Note: Working time-table North Island main line and branches published Wellington, N.Z. : New Zealand Railways, 1947. Erratum slip inserted on p. 98. Includes index. (Ham. City Library)
Companion to previous entry. Again intro by Tom McGavin. Very useful primary source document

Sections relevant to cranes - general instructions section 10. Crane numbers listed! Note pages 249-251 for later ref.
Johnson, Christine Learning the hard way a case study of selected railway accidents in New Zealand since the 1920s. Wellington (N.Z.) New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, 1991 48 pp. ill., facsims., maps, 24 cm. Subject Heading(s): Railroad accidents--New Zealand. Notes: "Distributed to the book trade in New Zealand by Brick Row Publishing"--T.p. verso. Maps on inside covers. (UoW Library)

Descriptions and evaluations of a variety of accidents divided into Level Crossing, Driver error, Excessive speed and No Fault accidents. Illustrates where recovery cranes may have been used - little direct crane content

p46 Fordell Tunnel 20 Sep 1973. "During recovery operations, a 40-ton steam crane brought up from Wellington toppled and a second one had to be brought in from Auckland."

Pictures:Two Craven 40 tonners picking up Da1504 at Petone, Oct 1970. Cover
Craven 40 tonner picking up Silver Fern at Taonui, Nov 1975 p10
Cowans Sheldon 60 ton Diesel crane Nov 1980 p11
Two Cowans Sheldon 60 ton Diesel cranes recovering Dx5270 north of Shannon - May 1, 1983 p12
Conly, Geoff & Stewart, Graham. On the track Tangiwai and other railway accidents. Wellington (N.Z.) Grantham House, 1991. ix, 182pp. ill., map, ports. 26 cm. Subject Heading(s): Railroad accidents--New Zealand. Disasters--New Zealand. Notes: First ed. published in 1986 under the title: Tragedy on the track : Tangiwai and other New Zealand railway accidents. Ports. on inside back cover. Includes bibliographical references (pp.179-180). (UoW Library)

Accounts of 20 worst accidents from Tangiwai down. Some references to recovery by crane.

Picture of unidentified hand crane at Matamau during recovery of J235 in Aprol 1896 pviii
Pictures of unknown steam cranes at Tangiwai px, p13, p15, p23, p26, p49
Picture of unintified crane with Ab829 near Ratana 1938 p99
Accident at Haywards involving Wab794 on Nov 8, 1943: "The Railways Department's travelling 40 tonne (sic) crane arrived at midday to clear the permanent way and a US Marine squad also arrived with a heavy road crane to help lift the wreckage so that the dead could be extricated." p106
Picture of Craven crane at Haywards, Nov 1943, p107
Picture of Craven crane at Islington, Feb 1946, p168
Following derailment at Red Jacks July 30, 1949 - engine not identified: "With no crane on the West Coast large enough to remove the wrecked engine, a deviation was made to facilitate traffic until a crane arrived from Christchurch."p128
p152 useful explanation of driver/fireman tickets and progression.
Roberts, F. K. A compendium of railway construction : a summary of the Public Works statements from 1889-1940. Part one, Taranaki. Wellington (N.Z.) New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society Incorporated, 1987. 48 p. ill., maps, 24 cm. Subject Heading(s) : Railroads--New Zealand--Taranaki--History. Notes : Ill. on inside front cover. Series Title : New Zealand railway history series. (UoW Library)

Account of development of Stratford-Okahukura, Opunake Branch, and several other Taranaki lines based on Public Works statements. Comments regarding steam shovels - no direct steam crane references. Useful for family history.
Alexander, R. B. The Stratford-Okahukura line : fifty years of service. Wellington, (N.Z.) New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society 1983. 32 p. ill., facsims., map, ports. 24 cm. Subject Heading(s) : Railroads--New Zealand--Stratford County--History. Railroads--New Zealand--Taumarunui County--History. Notes : First ed. published Wanganui (N.Z.) R.B. Alexander for the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, Wanganui Branch, 1961. (UoW Library)

Account of development of Stratford-Okahukura line and later operation. Comments regarding steam shovels - no direct steam crane references. Useful for family history - particularly photos of Haeo PWD camp and Ohura.
Leitch, David& Stott, Bob New Zealand Railways : the first 125 years. Auckland (N.Z.) Heinemann Reed, 1988 182pp 8p. of plates ill. (some col.), maps, (some col.), plans 25 cm. Subject Heading(s) : Railroads--New Zealand--History. New Zealand Railways. Notes : Col. ill. on inside covers. Includes index. Bibliography: pp175-176. (UoW Library)

Useful general background on the history of rail in New Zealand. Raises some context questions regarding cranes. No direct steam crane references.
Garner, John. Guide to New Zealand rail heritage. Wellington (N.Z) IPL Books, 1996 224 p. : ill. (some col.), maps ; 21 cm. Subject Heading(s) : Railroads--New Zealand--Guidebooks. Railroads--New Zealand--Buildings and structures--Guidebooks. Notes : "A reference to attractions and features of historic railway and live steam interest ... also covers present day operations ... [and] notable stations, workshops, tunnels and viaducts"--Preface.

Interesting background to current preservation scene - places much other material in context. Direct references:

2 steam cranes exhibited at Pukemiro (no details) p65
Leitch, D. B.& Scott, B. Exploring New Zealand's ghost railways. Wellington (N.Z.) Grantham House, 1998 127 p. : ill., maps ; 26 cm. Subject Heading(s) : Railroads--Abandonment--New Zealand. Railroads--New Zealand--History. N.Z. Notes : First ed. published 1995. (UoW Library)

Interesting summary of development and decline of many 'minor' railway sections. Good background on railway history, but little direct crane details.

Denniston incline : "There two old Q wagons as used on the incline, the original crane as used on the incline (in situ), various interesting foundations and of course, the remains of the incline itself rising sharply above, guarantee an interesting half-hour or so for even the most jaded of tourists".
Troup, Gordon (Ed) Steel roads of New Zealand: an illustrated survey. Wellington, A. H. & A. W. Reed 1973 ix, 342 p. illus. 27 cm. LC Subject: Railroads--New Zealand--History. Note: Edited by Gordon Troup assisted by W. A. Pierre. Bibliography: p. 317-319. (UoW Library)

Much cited volume of historical, current and preservation articles with subtantial appendices - very useful glossary (for the beginner) of railway terminology

Pics of two unidentified Wellington and Manawatu Line hand cranes recovering wreckage near Paekakariki June 23, 1896 p49 also reference to work cranes p52

Reference to crane formerly with NZ Midland railway p240. Crane is identified as 291 in appendix p293
Wellington-Manawatu Railway Co. Ltd. Working time-table of passenger and goods traffic for the guidance & exclusive use of officers & servants ... 1905. Wellington Southern Press, 1974 46 p., illus., 22 cm. Subject(s): Railroads New Zealand Wellington (Provincial District). (UoW Library)

Table p46 lists rolling stock by classification, length, and weight - includes Crane - 6 wheels. Length over buffers 20.0 feet. Weight (loaded) 20.0 tons.
New Zealand Railways. New Zealand Railways working timetable for the Middle Island, July 1879; with an introduction by A.L.R. Merrifield. Wellington [N.Z.] : New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, 1993. 45, [1] p. : ill., map ; 24 cm. Subject(s) : Railroads--New Zealand--South Island--Timetables. Notes : Facsim. reprint. Originally published: New Zealand Railways (Middle Island) working time table of passenger & goods trains for the guidance and exclusive use of officers and servants to be observed on & after July 1st, 1879, until further notice. Christchurch : Printed at the Times Office, 1879. (UoW Library)

List of rolling stock p36 - no mention of cranes. (Why?)
New Zealand Railways. New Zealand Railways working timetable, Auckland section, November 1884 / with an introduction by T.A. McGavin. Wellington, N.Z. : New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, 1984. vi, 18 p. : ill., facsim., map ; 24 cm. Subject(s) : Railroads--New Zealand--Auckland Region--Time-tables. Notes : Half title: NZR working timetable, Auckland section, November 1884. Facsimile reproduction of time-table for use ofNew Zealand Railways staff published Auckland, N.Z. : New Zealand Railways, 1884. Includes index. (UoW Library)

List of rolling stock p18 - no mention of cranes. (Why?)
Wilkinson, Douglas. New Zealand train wrecks : a selection of 80 photographs of derailments mishaps and accidents over the past 25 years. Wellington : Wellington Branch of the New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, [1973]. 48 p. : all ill. ; 22 cm. Subject(s) : Railroad accidents--New Zealand. (UoW Library)

As title indicates - a selection of photos with short captions.

Picture of unidentified steam crane lifting one end of an EW loco that was off the line after hitting a slip on Sep 19, 1961 - p12
Picture of unidentified crane (Craven?) at diesel derailment scene 35 miles south of Auckland - p16
Picture of unidentified crane (Craven?) at Whangamarino after an accident on Mar 27, 1952 - p30
Stewart, Graham. Tangiwai disaster : and 30 other railway accidents in New Zealand. Auckland Wilson & Horton, 1972. 74 p. : ill., map ; 28 cm. Call Number: 385.0995 S85 Subject(s): Railroads New Zealand Accidents. Notes: Cover title. (UoW Library)

Content very similar to the later 1986/1991 rewrite - covers same ground, with many identical pictures used.

Picture of unidentified crane (Craven?) at Otira tunnel Apr 57. p74
Palmer, A. N. & Stewart, W.W. Cavalcade of New Zealand locomotives; an historical survey of the railway engine in New Zealand from 1863 to 1964. Wellington, A. H. & A. W. Reed 1965 : 174 p. illus. 26 cm. Subject(s) : Locomotives--History Railroads--New Zealand. (UoW Library)

Interesting class by class description of locomotives with interspersed 'period' introductions. Read on tip from Kerry B. One crane reference:

Class 'B' "Double Fairlie" - two similar built in 1874 by Avonside Engine Co, Bristol. B165 'Lady Mordaunt (for Otago, later transferred north in 1885) and B238 'Snake'. "The Snake which was erected at Auckland near the old Wynyard Pier, had a short but eventful life. In 1877 she was involved in a head-on collision with the "F" class locomotive Jeannie Deans in the Taupiri Gorge, and later collided with a wagon fouling the main line at Fisher's Siding, now Westfield. As a result of this accident her rods and motion were stripped on one side. Her third and final flirtation with disaster occurred in 1884, when a stay-bolt blew out and damaged her boiler while she was hauling a train near Newmarket. This spelleed the end of Snake's career, and soon afterwards she was withdrawn from service. In 1890 her wheels and motion were incorporated in a travelling crane which was in use until a few years ago. Lady Mordaunt's gear was similarly used." In reference to Lady Mordaunt: "She was scrapped at East Town Workshops, Wanganui, in 1896." p33 (0-4-4-0 with Walshaerts valve motion).
Lloyd, W.G. Register of New Zealand Railways steam locomotives, 1863-1971. (Dunedin) New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society (Otago Branch), 1974 : 129 p. : ill. (1 col.) ; 25 cm. Subject: Steam locomotives--New Zealand--Registers. Railroads--New Zealand--Registers.

Summary of investigations into NZ locomotives and their numbering systems. Text mentions a number of references worth investigating in relation to loco numbering which may extend to other rolling stock, including: PWD corresponence registers (p9), PWD renumbering 1877, working railways list 1880 (p16), GM instruction for classification of locomotives and rolling stock 18 April 1882 (p23), 1890 scheme. Can appreciate some of Lloyd's conclusions, and the difficulties in reaching them.
McGavin, T. A. The Manawatu line : a commemoration of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company. (Wellington, N.Z.) New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, 1958 40 p. : ill., facsims., map ; 24 cm.

Short souvenir document as described published for the 50th anniversary of the companies absorbtion into NZR. Useful details, but no crane info. One crane illustration (A.N.Palmer Collection) on p34 showing two hand cranes recovering Oa loco (WMR No13) and rolling stock after derailment on June 23, 1896. Work train consists of Loco (Wh), 4w lowside wagon, crane, bogie flatbed wagon, crane, bogie flatbed wagon.
McClare, E. J. Auckland's railway workshops 1875-1992 . (Wellington, N.Z.) New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, 1998. 30 p., ill., facsim., map, plan ; 30 cm.

Picture album with backup text on Newmarket and Otahuhu workshops.

p6 Newmarket Fitting shop - notes roof raised to allow installation of manually operated travelling gantry crane.
p16 photo - Newmarket Fitting shop, men standing on the heavy-lift gantry crane in the upper background.
p18 photo - Newmarket, Wab with unidentified steam crane in background (W.W.Stewart photo)
p30 photo - mobile crane dismantling machine shop at Otahuhu
New Zealand locomotive and rolling stock handbook 2000. (Christchurch, N.Z.) Locomotive Press, 2000. 160 p., ill. ; 14 cm.( John Scoble & Gerald Petrie)

Summary of the Tranz Rail fleet at January 1, 2000. Listed by class with short details on each.

Ea class = bogie service wagons. Ea 1035 match wagon for 15 tonne crane, Ea 3298 match wagon for 60 tonne crane, Ea 5780 match wagon for 60 tonne crane, Ea 5048 carry 60 tonne crane roll over beams.
p53 EL class - notes EL 6003 and EL 6019 as 60 tonne cranes built at Cowans Sheldon works of NEI Clarke-Chapman at Carlisle in 1980. EL 4004 40 tonne crane built by Cowans Sheldon in 1964 under repair at Hutt shops. EL 1508 built by Cowans Sheldon in 1962.
Parsons, David E. New Zealand railway motive power 2002. (Wellington, N.Z.) New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, 2002. 64 p., ill. (some col.), maps ; 30 cm.

Summary of the Tranz Rail self powered vehicles, including maintenance vehicles. Listed by class with details on each.

p51 Rail Cranes. 'With the improvements to rail side access and developments in large truck mounted cranes over the past 20 years, much of Tranz Rail's heavy lifting requirements can be met by local contractors.' Maintain a small diesel fleet for bridge replacement and recovery work.
15 tonne (1962) with match Ea 1035, 40 tonne (1964) with match Ea 2218 (both stored out of service at Hutt shops), and two 60 tonne cranes (1980) with match wagons Ea 3298 and Ea 5780 and equipment wagon Ea 5048 (both based at Wgtn)
Pierre, W. A. Canterbury provincial railways : genesis of the N.Z.R. system. Wellington, N.Z. : New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society, 1964. x, 190 p. : ill., ports., maps.

Excellent review of the development of the broad gauge and subsequent 3'6" railways in Canterbury. Useful insight into processes and problems of early railway work.

Limited crane references - mostly in relation to ferrymead wharfs, including photos. No mention of broad-gauge cranes in rolling stock references. Much intriguing material for future reading. Notably work of Morrison - colonial agent in 1870 (p85), and reports of Paterson-Symington Commission (1868 - p77) and Parliamentry Select Committee (1877 - p171)

Crane and Excavator Books

The following listing details my reading on the history of cranes and excavators. As early excavators were often built on crane structures these are of relevance. Information on power shovels is also considered as these are also related.

The listing is alphabetical on first author and gives the book details from a union catalogue. Each book is then classified on its audience or general nature (company history, enthusiast, general interest, technical), some notes on my impressions and then a summary of relevance to my investigations.

Andrews, Ken & Burroughs, Stuart Stothert & Pitt : cranemakers to the world. Stroud : Tempus 2003 127 p.v. : ill, map, ports. ; 24cm, pbk ISBN: 0752427946 (pbk); 0006966675 Note: Includes bibliographical references

General Interest. Built around images from a collection of negatives passed to the Museum of Bath at Work when the works ceased. Primarily a picture book with short introductions to each section covering early history, factories, equipment at work, people and production, products, and activity during World War II. Lots of interesting snippets, but overall the format is light and therefore only of general interest. A small proportion of crane material, but limited rail-crane content. Interesting.
Atherton, William H. Conveyors and cranes : including continuous elevators, stackers, skip hoists, transporters and electric telphers. London : I. Pitman 1947 x, 357 p : ill., diagrs ; 22 cm

Technical.
Bachmann, Oliver; Cohrs, Heinz-Herbert, Wislicki, Alfred & Whiteman, Tim. The History of Cranes.

General Interest
Brownlie, John Stewart Railway steam cranes : a survey of progress since 1875, with notes on geographical spread of the British crane trade and biography of leading member firms. Glasgow ; Glasgow (59 Mitchell St., Glasgow G1 3LN) : John S. Brownlie [distributed by Holmes McDougall Ltd.] 1973 xxvi, 369 p. [68] p. of plates : illus ; 24 cm DT- Bibliography included ISBN: 950296503 Note: Bibliography: p. 357-358 Includes index

Technical
Cohrs Heinz-Herbert 500 years of earthmoving. Series: The classic construction series Wadhurst : KHL International 1997 260 p. : ill (some col.) ; 33 cm ISBN: 3980294226 (Germany); 0953021904 Note: Includes index. Translated from the German

General Interest
Earnshaw, Alan. The crane makers of Carlisle : the Cowans, Sheldon story . Series: Heritage series Kendal : Nostalgia Road/ Trans-Pennine Publications 2004 71 p ; 21 cm ISBN: 1903016045 Note: A Nostalgia Road Publication. Carlisle's crane makers : the Cowans Sheldon story Cover title: Carlisle's crane makers : the Cowans Sheldon story.

Company History/Enthusiast. Several short chapters backgrounding the company then chapters on various products including rail-cranes, turntables, traversers, track equipment, overhead cranes, dock cranes, and floating cranes. The sections are primarily built round numerous photographs with limited technical content in the captions. Broad rather than in-depth coverage. Some errors noted (SAR interpreted as South African rather than South Australian, right where it should say left, etc) and an odd excursion into the subject of Japanese battleships (the name of one being mispelt). Of general interest regarding the company history. Useful.
Glynn Joseph Rudimentary treatise on the construction of cranes and machinery for raising heavy bodies. Seventh edition, with numerouse illustrations, A rudimentary treatise on the construction of cranes and other hoisting machinery. London : Crosby Lockwood and Co. 1887 vii, [1], 122p.:ill., 19 cm. Note: Includes index.

Technical
Grimshaw, Peter N. Makers of machines that reshape the world Series: The amazing story of excavators vol.1. Wadhurst 2002 317 p : ill. (some col.), ports. (some col.) ; 34 cm ISBN: 953021998 Note: Includes index Previous ed. published as: Excavators. Poole : Blandford, 1985

Enthusiast/Technical
Haddock, Keith. Bucyrus: Making the Earth Move For 125 Years.

Company History. An official history, but seemingly aimed at the machinery enthusiast. Divided into five sections covering the corporate history, shovels, draglines, drills, and a postscript on the company future. Broad brush coverage with a good smattering of technical information. Interesting.
Historical Construction Equipment Association. Marion construction machinery 1884 through 1975 photo archive : including shovels, draglines, backhoes, clamshells, cranes, log loaders, and railroad ditchers. Series: Photo archive series Hudson, Wis. : Iconografix, c2002. 125 p. : ill. ; 22 x 26 cm. ISBN: 1583880607 Notes: Includes index.

General Interest/Enthusiast. Brief introduction by Keith Haddock, then title sums up the content - 119 full page b&w illustrations covering various aspects of Marion production and use. Handy for identifying models. A number of rail mounted examples. Interesting.
Historical Construction Equipment Association. Marion mining & dredging machines : photo archive. Series: Photo archive series Hudson, Wis. : Iconografix, c2002. 126 p. : ill. ; 22 x 26 cm. ISBN: 1583880887 Notes: Includes index.

General Interest/Enthusiast. Brief introduction by Keith Haddock, then same format as previous volume - 119 full page b&w illustrations covering various aspects of Marion production and use. Some rail mounted examples. Later examples tend to 'giant' excavators. Not as immediately useful as above volume. Interesting.
Irwin, Michael D. J. Vintage excavators. Ipswich : Farming Press : Distributed in North America by Diamond Farm Enterprises 1996 ca.200p : ill ; 22 x 27 cm ISBN: 852363338 Note: Facsims on lining papers

Enthusiast. A short intro followed by 178 b&w illustrations covering a range of equipment from the 1830's to the 1960s. Predominantly UK with selection of US examples. Includes early Ruston, Whitaker Bros, and Wilson examples. Nice reproduction of advertisments on endpapers. Some useful details to be gleaned. Interesting.
Lewis, Robert Stanley Eighty years of enterprise, 1869-1949 : being the intimate story of the Waterside Works of Ransomes & Rapier Limited of Ipswich, England. Butter Market, Ipswich : Published for Ransomes & Rapier by W. S. Cowell 1951 112 p : illus., facsims ; 26 cm

Company History. An 'official' history - broad brush with plenty of names, an outline of events, and run-down on products; all in a positive tone. Would appear to be a 75th anniversary book put off because of the war. Short sections on rail and mobile cranes lack all but barest technical details. Nice b&w illustrations. Good for general background. Dry.
Marks, Edward C. R. Notes on the construction of cranes and other lifting machinery. 3rd ed. Manchester, Eng. : Technical Pub. Co. 1904 260 p : illus ; 19 cm

Technical
Mitchell, George A. (ed) Crane and hoist engineering; a complete reference book on design, construction, and application of cranes, compiled by the engineering staff of the Shaw-Box crane & hoist division of Manning, Maxwell and moore, inc. Muskegon, Mich., Manning, Maxwell and Moore c1951. 159 p. illus. 29 cm. Notes: Published in 1937 under title: A book on crane and hoist engineering. (4 p. l., 11-221 p. illus., diagrs. 29 cm.)

Technical
New Zealand. Dept. of Labour. Approved code of practice for cranes and lifting appliances. Variant Title: Cranes and lifting appliances Wellington, N.Z. : Occupational Safety and Health Service, Dept. of Labour, [1985] 48 p. : ill. ; 21 cm. Notes: (Safety in Construction No.24)

Official Publication /Technical. Short booklet giving plain language guidance for operators. Sections on mobile cranes, tower cranes, load lifting and platform restrictions, lifting appliances, use of helicopters, slings and ropes, operator responsibilities, operator and dogman registration, demolition ball work, and personnel and material hoists. Appendicies include signalling and standards. Somewhat dry, but interesting from an operating rules perspective.
New Zealand. Marine Dept. New Zealand power crane rules. Wellington, R.E. Owen, Govt. printer, 1959. 206 p. illus. 20 cm.

Official Publication /Technical. Ten parts covering the act; design and construction standards; the rules regarding Ð travelling, derrick & tower, mobile, pedestal and portal jib cranes; permissible stresses; erection, testing and inspection of cranes; and sundry appendices. Rail cranes are not specifically covered. Somewhat dry, but interesting as it describes the regulatory framework.
Power Crane Association of New Zealand. Crane safety manual : for operators, users. Wellington, Power Crane Association of New Zealand, c1978? 72 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.

Official Publication /Technical. Guidance on appropriate crane operation - primarily aimed at mobile crane operators. Short plain language sections cover setting up, good and bad practices, maintenance practices, reeving, rigging, hazards, signalling, legal matters and more. Well illustrated with line drawings and some useful tables. Somewhat dry, but interesting from an operational perspective.
Shapiro, Howard I. Cranes and derricks. Series: McGraw-Hill professional engineering 3rd ed. New York : McGraw-Hill, 1980. xiv, 417 p. : ill. ; 24 cm. ISBN: 0070564205.

Technical
Shapiro, Larry. Cranes in action. Series: Enthusiast color series Osceola, WI : MBI Pub. Co., 2000. 96 p. : col. ill. ; 23 cm. ISBN: 0760307806 (pbk. : alk. paper) Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.

General Interest/Enthusiast. Broad brush introduction to the use of crawler, truck, tower, auxilliary crane and boom trucks, and special application cranes from a US perspective. Good sprinkling of technical details in the text. Profusely illustrated with colour photographs. Rails cranes are mentioned but not covered. Handy for picking up US terminology. Interesting.
Sheryn, Hinton J. An illustrated history of cranes. Shepperton : Ian Allan 1997 128p : ill : 1 plan ; 24cm ISBN: 0711025479

General Interest/ Enthusiast. Story told through b&w pictures and captions with short chapter intro's. Slightly more structured than earlier volume on excavators. Brief historical background followed by selected company histories, then sections on floating and dockside, derricks, overhead, rail, crawler and truck, and tower cranes. Concludes with Sobemai. Strong UK focus. Useful details to be gleaned, but light reading. Rail chapter only 16 photos. Interesting.
Sheryn, Hinton J. An illustrated history of excavators. Shepperton : Ian Allan 1995 128p : ill ; 24cm ISBN: 0711023530;

General Interest/ Enthusiast. A story told primarily through b&w pictures and captions with short chapter intro's. Split between single bucket cable type excavators (shovels, draglines, backhoes, skimmers, grabs, stripping shovels, and walking draglines), hydraulic, and continuous excavators. Good geographical spread. Relevant for coverage of early models like Whitaker Bros. But light reading. Interesting.
Smith G. T. The First Principles of Lifting Machinery. Series: [Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen. Publications of the Technical Section.] New Malden 1923 pp. 40. ; 8o.

Technical. Typical Association booklet providing summary of the topic Ð requires a reasonable engineering background as the material is to the point. A general coverage of the principles and general practice of mechanical lifting covering pulleys and blocks, screw jacks, winches, crabs, and related mechanisms with mathematical explanations. Examines the use and implications for chain and wire rope, and has a useful discussion of brakes. No bibliography. Heavy going but very interesting.
Swann Eric Cyril Walter Design of Overhead Travelling Crane Structures. Series: [Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen. Technical Publications.] Richmond, Sy. 1959 pp.66. ; 8o.

Technical. Solid but condensed coverage of all aspects of the topic. Covers classes of crane, components, stresses, effects of loading and more backed up by the relevant mathematics, a variety of tables and numerous line illustrations. Includes bibliography. Heavy going but very interesting.
Torrens, Hugh The evolution of a family firm : Stothert and Pitt of Bath. Bath, Stothert and Pitt Ltd. 1978 v, 86p : ill., facsims., geneal tables, map(on inside fold back cover), ports ; 22cm ISBN: 0950602507 (pbk) Note: Index

Company History. A serious study of the progress of the company and the individuals involved from the second half of the eighteenth century through to the mid-twentieth. An intriguing mix of genealogy and engineering history, it is a delight to read. Not technical per se, and not a great deal of crane material, but what there is, is of value. No bibliography, but well referenced through notes. Very interesting.
Towne, Henry R. A treatise on cranes : descriptive particularly of those designed and built by the Yale & Towne Manufacturing Co. ... Stamford, Conn. : [Printed by E.S. Dodge, New York] 1883 x, 191p : ill ; 22cm

Technical
Wainright, David. Cranes and Craftsmen: The story of Herbert Morris Limited. London : Hutchinson Benham 1974 88 p : ill ; 26cm Note: Published for Herbert Morris Ltd

Company History. Another 'official' history - broad brush with plenty of names, an outline of events, and run-down on products; all in a positive tone. Takeover of Craven Bros. Lightly covered. No technical content. Mix of colour and b&w illustrations. Okay for general background. Dry.
Wilda, Hermann Cranes and Hoists, their construction and calculation ... Translated from the German and adapted to British practice by Chas. Salter. With 399 illustrations. Series: [Broadway Engineering Handbooks. vol. 6.] London : Scott, Greenwood & son 1913 pp. viii. 159 : ill

Technical
Wilson, Martyn & Spink, Karen Coles 100 years : The growth story of Europe's leading crane manufacturer 1879-1979. Uxbridge : Coles Cranes Limited 1978 63 p : ill ; 30 cm Note: Ill on lining papers

Company History. Another 'official' history - broad brush with plenty of names, an outline of events, and run-down on products; all in a positive tone. Well written and easy to read. Some rail crane material early on, but rest mainly truck cranes. Little technical content. Some interesting b&w illustrations. Useful for general background. Interesting.

Other Books

Beaumont, A. Ransomes Steam Engines: An Illustrated History. (Newton Abbott) David Charles, 1972 :112p. ; illus. 26cm

Enthusiast / Technical. As titled - a look at Ransomes agricultural engines - Ransomes were the root company of Ransomes & Rapier. No specific details on latter, but interesting company background.
Fisher, Chris & Halton, Keith. Ransomes and Rapier locomotives. Series: The narrow gauge ; 177 [England] : Narrow Gauge Railway Society 2002 70 p ; 24 cm ISBN: ISSN 0142-5587 (invalid ISBN: 0-9507170-0) Note: Caption title

Enthusiast / Technical. Monograph from the Narrow Gauge Railway society. Not a crane book, but provides interesting detail on Ransomes and Rapier's other activities. Some company history and detail on the Waterside works, then various aspects of locomotive production and use. No crane content, but a fun read. Interesting.
Haycraft, William R. Yellow steel : the story of the earthmoving equipment industry. Urbana : University of Illinois Press 2000 xvi, 465 p : ill ; 24 cm, alk. paper DT- Government publication ISBN: 0252024974 (alk. paper) Note: Includes bibliographical references (p. [449]-453) and index.

Multi-Company History. A serious study by a former Caterpillar executive of the development of the earth moving industry. Eight major sections on creating the need, the beginnings (1831-1945), the postwar decade (1946-55), the interstate decade (1956-65), the industry matures (1966-75), the pinnacle and the fall (1976-85), recovery and renewal (1986-95), and perspectives looking at the state of the industry at the end of the twentieth century. Also contains several appendicies and a thorough bibliography. Explores the courses of the various companies with some technical content regarding developments. Primarily North American, but does cover some European and Asian aspects. Not a crane reference, but does clarify who made what and relates the fate of the few crane makers who also built earthmoving equipment (no rail crane manufacturers). Interesting and useful.

Contents

Cranes in NZR Service

Can You Help?

Literature Review

NZ Railway Books

Crane and Excavator Books

Other Books