Index and notes of Crane references in New Zealand Rails (Vol 5-27)

The following listing was compiled between June and August 2003 from the New Zealand Rails magazine. The listing identifies mentions of cranes and crane usage in relation to railways in New Zealand. Coverage includes mention in text and appearance in pictures, both as the main subject and incidental occurances. The procedure was to survey each issue looking for photos and likely articles. To speed the process not all material was read and it is possible some items may have been missed. The nature of the reference is given as type (Article, Letter, or Photo), with a description given under notes. Where appropriate (such as identified errors) additional notes are given. Items directly related to cranes, or containing particularly useful information have the type bolded. A blank entry after the issue number indicates no relevant crane mentions. A '--'. after the issue number means this issue has not yet been surveyed.

Phillip Treweek (September, 2003)

VolNoPageTypeNotes
51
2p20Article:"Old Joe's Engine" Russell Orr. Anecdotal story (engine, crane, date not identified) of W engine ending with derailment and crane arrival.
3
4p11Photos:Southdown Freight Terminal (NZ Railways) two unidentified wheeled cranes visible.
5p20Article:"Hillside Railway Workshops Reaches its First Century". Reprinted from Otago Daily Times. Photos show overhead and workshop cranes.
6
7
8p5Photo:Unidentified diesel crane pile driving during recovery of Da1472 and Da1449 following derailment due to subsidence between Kotemaoro and Raupunga on Aug 18, 1973. (A.C.Bellamy)
p13Photo:Craven 201 recovering Silver Fern after level crossing accident near Feilding on Nov 21, 1975 (G.T.Radcliffe)
9
10
11
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
61
2p4Photo:Truck mounted crane
p9Article:"Rail deficit decline expected of almost 50 percent" includes table showing capital items for 1976-77. Includes, mobile, gantry, and travelling cranes.
p18Article:"Recent t enders". Called for two 60 tonne breakdown cranes - current cranes not suitable for lifting Dx locos or Silver Fern railcars. For use on NIML - supplement existing cranes
3
4
5
6
7
8pp7-13Article:"Mech anised track laying on New Zealand Railways."
9p19Article:"Breakdo wn cranes ordered from UK". Ordered from Clarke Chapman Ltd who have taken over Cowan Sheldon. Diesel hydraulic 60 tonne lift with two piece telescopic jib. Suiltable for electrified areas and tunnels.
10
11
12p9Photo:Picture of Crane 120 in Article (pp4-9) on East Town workshops.
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71p20Article:"Westport Crane Transfer" Transfer of ownership from NZR to MoT on June 15, 1977. Third crane to be commissioned.
2p9Article:"Estimates reveal dramatic reduction in New Zealand Railways deficit" - table of capital items for 1977-78 includes mobile cranes.
3
4
5p22Photo:Car-van Af 874 being lifted for delivery to Otago Branch NZR&LS - jib only visible (mobile crane?).
6
7pp10-11Article:"Non -Revenue workings on New Zealand Railways". Photo essay by G.T.Radcliffe includes picture of crane (124?) on Breakdown train near Halcombe in 1973, and pole line being constructed by steam crane (CS 10 tonner?) also near Halcombe.
8
9
10p20Photos:Collision between truck and Dj loco in Feb 1978 - picture of truck being lifted (mobile crane?).
11p22Article:"Wf loco deal completed". No crane available to lift Wf 386 at Taumarunui.
12p16Photo:Crane 120 at East Town. (Jim McLees). Built 1904 and at East Town for many years. Recently overhauled and repainted (Orange livery to match locos being reassembled at workshops). Boiler in excellent condition - crane reboilered 1969 from coaling crane to be scrapped. Driver "Dobbie" Dobson.
p17Article:"Fatal locomotive accident" Da1470 overturned between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay on May 25 1978. Recovered with two 40 ton cranes on May 29.
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81pp12-17Article:"Locomotiv e, rolling stock development programme" Bob Stott - p15 60 tonne breakdown cranes, 2 on order to enter service 1979-80 in NI. Will replace 40-ton steam cranes which can barely lift Dx loco. SI 40-ton steam cranes to remain in service.
2
3pp18-20Article:"Modern equ ipment aids track maintenance" (interesting background - no cranes)
4p22Photo:Washdyke signal box being lifted to move to Pleasant Point Railway in July 1978 (mobile crane?).
5pp12-15Article:"Maintenanc e of overhead for capital's electrics." p13 photo hi-rail mobile crane.
p16Article:"More new and rebuilt wagons" - para on 60 tonne cranes. Due for delivery about middle of 1979.
p20Photo:Removal of Wf386 from Taumarunui Aug 24, 1978 - telescopic jib visible
6
7
8p17Photo:Craven 40- tonner (C.M.Harman) seen after overhaul at Hillside in Nov, 1978.
p18Article:"Crane purchase was best buy" - fully imported 45-tonne crane include truck carrier - comments about pros & cons of purchase vs NZ built.
9p4Photo:Ab 778 coaling at Lumsden - pneumatic coaling crane visible.
10
11
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
91p7Article:"Estimates indicate rail deficit will fall in current year". Table of capital expenditure for 1979-80 includes mobile cranes.
2
3p17Photo:Car Ea 2184 (ex Aa 1882 NIMT Sleeper) pictured at Newmarket May, 1979 - used as amenities car for Auckland diesel crane staff.
p17Article:"Cranes d ue" Delivery of 60-tonne cranes for December
4
5
6
7p14Article:"Tenders" - "supply and fabrication of steelwork for a 5 tonne travelling crane at Palmerston North loco depot".
p19Article:"Steamcrane Preserved" Timaru Harbour Board 1927 'Hercules' crane to be preserved by South Canterbury Traction Engine and Vintage Steam Engine Club at Washdyke.
8
9p16Photo:Beams being lifted for Johnsonville line overbridge in Wellington yard (2x 35-tonne mobile cranes?)
10
11pp8-10Article:" Railways take delivery of new breakdown cranes" major article on 60 tonne cranes incl. specs & details (40 ton crane details for comparison). Photos by E.J. McClare, C.E. Beresford, and NZR
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
101
2p9-10Article:"Estimates in dicate improvement in Railways' financial position". Table of capital items for 1980-81 including mobile cranes.
pp19-21Article:"East Town workshops completes first century." various mentions of workshop cranes. p21 photo of crane 120 (Wanganui Newspapers Ltd).
3p17Article:"Spans reclaimed". Three 36 tonne 4.3m spans retrieved from Athenree bridge by 60-tonner.
4p19Article:"recent tenders" "supply and erection of runway beams and travelling cranes at Westfield locomotive depot"
p19Photos:Bogie change on Dx 5022 (former 2601) at Plimmerton after wheel bearing collapse utilising both 60-tonners (3x Rails photos)
5
6p16Article:"All safe after derailment" - derailed multiple unit 4miles south of Paekakariki on Nov 19, 1980 recovered by Palmerston North breakdown train.
7pp12-14Article:"Railways t rack machine further developed".
8p14Photo:'Operation Garden City' at Christchurch railway station, incl. breakdown crane. (seen rear on).
9p12Photo:Westport Wharf (cranes in bkgnd).
p13Photo:Dc 4012 & Da 1428 derailed by washout Dec 26, 1980 - lifted onto new bogies during recovery.
10
11
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
111
2p18Article:"Off the Road" -derailment south of Kakaramea on Jul 9, 1981 recovered by two 60 tonners plus 40-tonner.
3p13Photo:"Capital prepares for new multiple units" - mobile crane erecting catenary.
p16Photo:"Removal of trees marks start of electric extension" - use of excavator termed 'crane'.
4p10Photo:Coaling C 864 at Linwood - good pic of Priestman Grab.
5p18Article:"Recent tenders" "Painting contracts include ...the crane repair depot at Aotea Quay, Wellington".
6
7p9Article:"Kawerau Crane to be scrapped" Tasman Pulp & Paper hammerhead 1955 crane to be replaced by mobile log stackers.
8
9pp12-13Article:"Oamaru rai lway staff toil for charity" Riding for disabled fundraiser Feb 13-15 1982. "Other Way and Works staff gave demonstrations of old and new methods of track maintenance, the 40-tonne steam crane was in steam (and used to refuel the Flyer, and ..." icl photo of Craven crane coaling Ab 795
p18Article:"Rolling Stock record" from periods ending Dec 5 1981, Jan 2 1982, and Jan 30 1982: "One Ub class bogie flat-top wagon reclassified Ea for carrying locomotive righting beams".
10
11
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
121
2
3p11Photos:"Moving loco inter-island before the ferries" Four pictures (originally appeared in New Zealand Graphic Nov 14, 1903) showing Q locos being unloaded and transported at Auckland. two photos show handcrane in use - 5-10 ton approx, no identity visible, wb pipe visible. From E.J.McClare collection.
4pp12-13Article:Historic Ro gers K locomotive recommissioned this month" Michael Hanrahan. p13 reference to cranes being used to dump locos in Oreti river at Branxholme.
5p20Photo:Westport wharf early 1970's - shows crane. (C.M.Harman)
6
7
8Article:"Lathe installed" - equipment at Steam Inc., Paekakariki. "A Priestman crawler-mounted crane has been acquired".
9
10p18Photo: Mobile crane being used to remove truck after level crossing accident - runaway truck hit rake of wagons. (A.K.Sim)
p22Article:"Ocean Beach News" "The railway's crane has been overhauled"
11
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
131
2
3P67Photo:Hillside Shops - shows unidentified crane (K.L.Crosado)
4
5
6p139Article:"Recent Tenders" "purchase for the removal of the Morrinsville goods shed and crane". Photo same page shows crane to be scotch derrick yard crane (A.K.Sim)
7p155Photo:Port Chalmers (NZ Railways) shows very large scotch derrick.
8p183Article:Gantry crane installed at Ashburton for container handling.
9p195Photo:Gantry for loghandling at Kotemaori. (NZ Railways D 33 858)
p210Article:"Crane s ought" Plains Railway at Tinwald, Ashburton has tendered for a coaling crane at Invercargill
10p238Photo:H199 being moved onto a transporter at Featherston on March 10, 1984 by 2 mobile cranes.
11
12
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141p16Photo:Unidenti fied crane on Train 621 loading a hut at Mt.White bridge on Springfield-Arthurs Pass line for removal to Beasley bridge.
2p40Photo:Mobile crane mounted post-hole borer being used on NIMT electrification. (A.Gregor)
3p67Photo:Road/rail crane being used to position poles for caternary support pole on Palmerston North-Marton section. (NZ Railways)
4pp80-85Article:"Railways a nd Ports in New Zealand: 3. Northland's Ports" - p80 description of Opua, "Coal was carried in P class coal tub wagons, each of which carried three tubs which could be craned off the wagon and over the ship for emptying."
5
6
7p166Article:"Crane fails" Ferrymead's crane 291 had breakdown while engaged in track work - "While the crane was under load, a large section of the main lifting gear wheel fractured". No decision on repairs.
8
9p194Advertisment:"A locomotive reborn: The Ka 945 story" - jib visible in picture.
p213Article:"Loop finished" - "the broken gear wheel on crane 291 has been repaired"
10p235Article:"Crane Falls" 40-tonner capsized (outriggers were used) while recovering goods wagon from derailment (9 wagons) at Goodwood (sth of Palmerston) on Mar 15, 1985 - came to rest on side and driver was slightly. Track closed till late that day, crane recovered later.
p247Photo:Ja 1250 coaled by mobile crane fitted with bucket during NIMT reenactment
11p262Article:"K 88 completes first thousand" Asburton Railway and Preservation Society looking for a coaling crane.
12pp268-276Article:"North I sland Main Trunk electrification up-date" pictures p272 of bogie mounted mobile crane and hi-rail truck mounted crane., p276 truck mounted crane, p277 crawler crane (job match for V9-p194?)
VolNoPageTypeNotes
151
2p66Article:"Second K Loco retrieved" K 92 lifted from Oreti river by crane
3
4p86Article:"Recent tenders" "...purchase and removal of ... a gantry crane stored at Hamilton ... "
p88Article:"Glenbroo k Railway's ninth season" (J.L.Stichbury) GVR 10 ton capacity steam crane purchased from NZR 1984, named Tanekaha - to be retubed early '1985' (1986?) after Ja 1250. Used to lift water vat at Waitangi stream on GVR - photo (J.L.Stichbury). Assisted with laying 700m of track.
5p112Article:"Recent tenders" purchase of 8-tonne gantry crane at Frankton.
6p137Article:"Last surviving Wa loco to be resurrected" Wa 165 - includes photo of Wa 68 being lifted by Napier Harbour Board crane in 1958.
p138Article:Silver Stream - projects include restoration of an old steam excavator.
7p158Article:Greymouth's lo co dump. Notes a Uc and Ub located close to railway line which could be removed with 40 tonne crane. Estimate $1000-2000 cost for crane.
8
9
10p226Article:"Excavator ge ts the shakes" vibrations from passing trains move 14 tonne excavator off trailer. Recovered by crane.
p231Article:"Glenbrook line getting longer" "The group used a 10-tonne track-laying steam crane, built in 1936 in England, which made their job easier Mr Stichbury said."
11p240Photo:Greymouth 1960 - wharf showing cranes and Q class coal wagons.
12p267Letter:Bob Anderson, Tinwald - re feasibility of recovery of locos at Omoto "it would be my belief that one would be very lucky to get half of the available lifting capacity of a crane at the radius required"
VolNoPageTypeNotes
161p22Article:"Bridge Replaced" Truscotts bridge at Ferrymead, span replaced using crane
2
3
4p89Article:"Glenbrook Railway extension opens next month" John Stichbury - includes photo Aug 13 1986 at Fernleigh station showing 110 year old 5-tonne handcrane being used for tracklaying with assistance of 30hp Ruston & Hornsby shunter.
5p119Photo:Goldfields Railway, Waihi Station (B.D.Bennett) - scotch derrick in background.
6p125Photo:Truck mounted cranes working on NIMT electrification
7
8
9
10p215Article:"F 163 help's Wanganui Coast Guard" Jim McLees. March 21/22, 1987. Photo shows several mobile cranes in display.
p222Photo:'The Glen', Dunedin railway bridge demolished using mobile crane (Graham Fox).
p225Article:"Recent Tenders" "purchase and removal of goods shed, crane and water tanks at Kaiwaka Station"
p230Article:"Work train car" Weka Pass acquire carriage - with lunch room, running water, and tool store
11
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
171
2
3p64Photos:3x pictures of Da 512 being righted on Aug 8, 1987 by two 60-tonners. Loco has been derailed in a collision with a truck on August 22.
p65Article:"New crane for Wiri" - swing-lift container crane installed.
4p94Article:"Crane acquired" Ashburton Railway & Preservation Society, Tinwald take delivery of air-operated coaling crane ex-Invercargill.
5p101Photo:Crane 120 at East Town at reunion 1980 (Wanganui Newspapers) previously published Vol 10, 2, p21
6p138Photos:Bridge building at Katiki (between Oamaru and Palmerston) showing diesel rail-crane and mobile crane. (Graham Fox) Re-used span from "The Glen" see Vol 16, 10, p222
7
8p171-173Article:"Electrifi cation reaches Taumarunui" incl. photo showing mobile crane with post-hole borer and road/rail crane lifting poles.
p183Letter:Jim Andrew, Palmerston re: Burkes Station region "I can remember as a small boy going to Dunedin on the early train from Palmerston in 1948 or 1949 and seeing a crane lifting track sets from the old mainline in the Burkes area."
9p211Article:"Signal box preserved" Paekakariki south signal box craned to new site in station yard on Feb 28, 1988.
10
11
12p272-273Article:"Hillside workshops builds new wagons". photos show overhead gantries.
VolNoPageTypeNotes
181
2
3p66Photo:Waterloo bus/rail interchange - under construction, several mobile cranes visible
4p97Article:"Goldfields lin e making progress" "The society owns ... and old hand crane ..." (ref to scotch derrick?)
5pp104-106Article:"How NZR will slash track maintenance costs" includes sleeper replacement using Kershaw sleeper crane
p119Article:"In brief" sale by tender - a crane and gantry at Hutt Workshops.
6p138Photo:Dx & Dc locos (Grahame Fox) unidentified crane jib in background
7p160Photo:NZ Steel Glenbrook (A.K.Sim) unidentified railcrane with bogie Ud well wagon - privately owned? No details - caption relates to wagon
8
9
10p228Photo:Dj 3418 being rerailed by two hire cranes (Grahame Fox) "Among the less obvious changes taking place on NZR is a decreasing reliance on the traditional rail-mounted breakdown crane. More and more mishaps are now being put right by contractors' cranes mounted on road chassis..."
11
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
191p14Photo:Removal of track in Quay St, Auckland. Two excavators in use.
p15Article:'Crane up for sale.' Container transfer crane at Wellington container terminal, Incl photo (G.T.Radcliffe).
2
3p65Photo:Salvage of 2 Wb locos from Coal Creek, Seddonville during 26-30 June 1989 for Mainline Steam Trust. 30 tonne contractors crane used. Photo shows two jibs.
4
5
6p134Article:'Longer season for GVR.' "At the Pukeoware workshops ... the GVR 10 tonne steam crane, now back in use and fully certified."
7p153Article:'No name.' "It is planned to build a new coal store at the railway, with an air-operated coaling crane next to it."
8
9
10p221Article:'Off the road'. Dc 4041, Dc 4156 & Dbr 1276 derailed by washout. Photo (Jeff Garmonsway) shows Dx 5074 & Dx 5097 with 60 tonne breakdown crane.
11
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
201
2
3
4
5p104Photo:Mobile crane lifting caternary during extension of Wellington extension to Paekakariki (NZR)
6
7
8p179Review:'New Zealand Railways - Steam Years' - includes footage post-Tangiwai and steam crane erecting caternary.
9
10p220Article:'Loading limit can be stretched'. Digger loaded on low-loader by mobile crane.
p230Photo:Boiler of Ja 1271 being lifted by two mobile cranes at Paekakariki.
11p254Item:'Classified Advertising'. Query - has photo of Da 1410 being lifted by a crane - is this the loco that hit a wagon and capsized in the Taumarunui yard in the early 1970's.
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
211p18Letter:G.E.Roberts - removal of Invercargill North Signal Box by crane.
2
3pp48-50Article:'Road/rail vehicles assist track maintenance task.' Incl. 11 tonne Isuzu FKR flat deck with hoist. Includes photo (NZR)
p61Letter:Gerald Petrie re: Kincaid McQueen
4
5p112Review:Glenbrook Vintage Steam.
6
7
8
9p191Article:'Tasman Traffic' refs to hammerhead crane used for log traffic.
10
11p249Article:'New loco depot for Steam Trust at Christchurch'. - photo (Main Line Steam Trust) of framing being raised by mobile cranes.
12
VolNoPageTypeNotes
221
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9p194Photo:Silver Fern RM2 being rerailed by Craven after level crossing collision near Feilding in 1975 (G.T.Radcliffe)
p205Article:'Steam Trust breaks new ground'. Work on Ab 663 "W used our own crane ..."
10
11
12p268Article:'Versatile ne w machine'. J&S Beeby Ltd Hi-Rail excavator (Balclutha) - includes photo.
VolNoPageTypeNotes
231p16Photo:Points replacement using excavator and loaders (A.K.Sim)
2
3
4p113Article:'Move to Mount completed'. Notes turntable moved from Tauranga to Mt.Mounganui using two 'heavy lift' cranes.
5pp137-138Article:'NZ's war memorial loco on track to steam again'. Discusses Ab608 - notes transported north along with 'a 40-tonne steam breakdown crane saved from the scrap heap by a Wellington-based group'.
6
7
8
9p202Article:'In Brief'. Shunter derailed at Woburn - 'righted by crane'.
10
11p252Review:'New Zealand Locomotive and Rolling Stock Handbook' by Gerald Petrie. Describes NZR as at time of sale.
12p272Article:'Locomotive r etrieved'. Recovery of Dc which went down bank after a collision with a truck on the Kawerau-Murupara line. Craned onto transporter.
P277Article:'Open day'. MoTaT Open day in May - included '100-year-old habd-operated railway crane.
VolNoPageTypeNotes
241p298Photo:New frieght terminal under construction in Wellington - mobile crane in use.
2
3
4p91Photo:Sims Pacific metal yards, Dunedin - shows track-mounted magnetic crane. (John Clover)
5p114Photo:Seven wagons derailed, 3 into Mangapiko stream off bridge near Te Awamutu. Mobile crane used for recovery. (J.A.Joyce).
6
7
8
9pp205-206Article:'Historic loco recovered from Buller River Bank'. (Patrick Dunford & Andrew Wilson). Recovery of C 1 with unidentified crane.
10
11
12p276Letter:P.Dunford - corrections to 9/205 article
VolNoPageTypeNotes
251
2pp28-30Article:'New road/rail vehicles will bring added efficiences' - re: hi-rail vehicles.
3p70Photo:Kingston Flyer - shows pneumatic coaling crane (Paul Rembaiski)
4
5p107Article:Tranz Rail fleet listing 30/6/95 - no cranes listed
p112Article:'Container crane for South Port'. Mobile container crane for Bluff.
6
7
8p173Article:'Useful to the bitter end' Lifting track on Thames line - utilise excavator. (Photos J.A.Joyce)
9
10
11
12p262Photo:Log-loading at railside on Otago central line (R.H.Storm)
pp277-278Article:Transporta tion of RM31 - two large road cranes and special lifting gear. Includes picture (A.I.M. Murphy)
VolNoPageTypeNotes
261pp4-8Article:'Prospectus offers detailed snapshot of Tranz Rail's operations' - review of contents - no cranes listed with rolling stock
2
3
4p84Photo:Track lifting on Thames line - mobile crane in background
5
6
7p155Photo:Recovery of Dc 4726 and Dc 4352 aft er level crossing accident near Brydone, Southland. Shows two mobile cranes. (R.G.A. McLeod)
8
9p206Article:'Goldfields Ra ilway a notable survivor'. Photo of scotch derrick. (Rails)
10
11p249Photo:Westport Wharf. Cranes in background (C.M. Harman)
p251Article:'New tamper for spot re-sleepering' transported by wagon - loaded by gantry or mobile-crane.
12p276Article:'Rails 25 years ago'. - tenders for 32.5 tonne container crane for Wellington - crane never used.
VolNoPageTypeNotes
271p2Advertisement:'Railsce ne 10' - steam crane preservation
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10p216Article:'Tranz Rail helps in Auckland crisis'. Hi-rail and mobile cranes used in erecting powerlines along rail corridor.
P218Photo:Caternary repairs - using cherry-picker and mobile crane. (Rails)
11p253Review:'Railscene 14' - includes 'a preserved steam crane at Wanganui'.
12p269Photo:Wellington stadium construction in railyards - various cranes (Rails)
p274Photos:Repairs to bridge at Ngaruawahia - mobile crane (A.G.Turner)