Only two more hoppers to re-rail at Lyons Hump in 1951 - These derricks were used on the non-mainline trackages on account of their limited capacity - 100 tonners vs the 250 ton Big Hooks located at major terminals such as Indianapolis, Elkhart, Toledo, Cleveland, etc. Lawrence Baggerly Collection.
Great Photo. Though I've always been curious why and how those rail-mounted cranes worked derailed cars from a distance with their hook lines laid out at such a shallow angle. Whereas today's side-mounted tracked cranes have their hooks almost straight overhead of a car. I would think those old hooks would be dragging a car a long distance along the track, ripping up good ties and roadbed in the process.
I have always been fascinated with the railroad cranes. They must have been very heavy, because I have never seen any outriggers or any other means of balancing them. That's another great shot, Roger. :tb-biggrin:
Using the word dinosaur is interesting. I never viewed them from such a perspective, but now that you mention it, there is some resemblance. Boxcab E50
