Crane 23                         

Home

 

Steam Crane 23 was built for the WAGR by Craven Brothers Ltd of Manchester, England, in 1912.

Mass 62.40 t Jib on Truck 58.10 t
Axle Load 12.5 t Max Speed 40 kph
Jones Drawgear Lifting Capacity 25 tons

 

 For more than three quarters of a century it shared derailment and breakdown work with the other WAGR breakdown crane, number 31 (Now based at the Pemberton Tramway Company), which was constructed by Cowans Sheldon and has a 60 ton lifting capacity.

Steam Crane 23 in travelling mode

Crane 23 saw out the last years of service based at Forrestfield but before the advent of standard gauge it was based at Northam. The increasing weight of modern locomotives and rollingstock, and the generally improved access roads along railway lines combined to make this crane surplus too Westrail requirements.

Steam Crane 23 at work, clearing the track after a derailment near wishbone in july 1976

It was acquired by Hotham Valley when written off in late 1987. Currently it is out of service due to boiler problems and has not been used for many years.

 

 

 

 Donations Welcome

HVR is a Volunteer Operated, Registered Tax Deductible Gift Recipient

          For Hotham Valley Bookings Call : Australia 08 6278 1111

Dwellingup Station Ticket Sales - Cash Only

Click Here for "Conditions of Booking & Travel"

            Web site built by N. Blinco. Maintained by Karen Fisher - Webmaster - Pemberton Tramway Co