The LNER Encyclopedia

Does anyone have an image, or any history, of the NER's Steam Breakdown crane CME1, a 15 ton lift design built by Cowans & Sheldon? The 'Railway Operating Division' book has it as going to the War Department in 1914 but other than that nothing - especially interested to know if it's anything like the GEM/Fleetline N gauge Cowans SHeldon 15 ton steam breakdown crane kit

It may be better posting the query on the Breakdown Crane Association site.
Unless David Withers or Roger Cooke are looking in.

http://bdca.org.uk/index.html

What was the thread about 2 years ago with a loco in a hole with 2 NER cranes lifting it out?
A mystery location shot.
Was that the type of crane you meant?

Found it after a bit of searching.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1980&start=0

But its not a 15 tonner, sorry.

I'm not sure, but I recall scanning a MRC drawing of an NER steam crane. When I get up in the morning I'll fire up the pc and see which one it is for you.

Andy Greening

I've had a look, but the MRC article was of the NER 25t cranes. Getting LNER Wagons buy P Tatlow off the shelf he implies that the 15t cranes were Cowans Sheldon types with swan neck jib. Now I have a scanned drawing of the CR version (G&SWR one too) which look very much like the NB version on page 144. The NER cranes (And GN and GC ones too) were similar.

Do you want a copy of the drawing?

Andy G

There is a photo of a 35t crane in Belgium.
The breakdown crane is an ex North Eastern Railway machine requisitioned by the military in WW1.
See this thread on the Breakdown Crane site.
http://bdca.org.uk/forumtwo/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=205

WOW! What an absolutely incredible survivor!