help us save these cranes before there lost forever!!!!

There are to diesel cranes are up for grabs http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1275706 if these are not saved in next 2 weeks they will be scraped and cut up.There. from steal works in kent. are trust has not got enough money to by and save them for the scrap valuw there in good working oder resantly had new ropes the scrap dealers are willing to sell them.if anyone is intrested ore can help us by them, pleas contact me asap.

 

It took me a bit of working out, but I think I get the gist of the post.

Two things: Firstly you haven't said what your 'trust' is. Anyone who might want to donate money obviously wants to know which organisation they are dealing with before giving any of their hard-earned cash.

Secondly, unfortunately I think these cranes fall under the heading of "You can't save everything." Useful as they no doubt are - to an extent, anyway - in this day and age hiring or buying/maintaining a road crane is going to be more cost-effective for jobs that rail-based cranes used to be used for. Just look at the national network or the number of preserved lines that use a road vehicle with a bucket on the front for coaling locomotives.

Given that the majority of enthusiasts froth over locos, with a lesser amount over carriages, wagons and signalling, I suspect that cranes come a fair way down the list. Unless you manage to find a rich benefector with a particular passion for diesel rail cranes (hens teeth, scotch mist and crew of the Marie Celeste territory, I suspect), it's probably best to let them go.

 

At the NYMR, C&W use a very similar crane both as a yard shunter and for lifting jobs on an almost daily basis, so I'd say it would quickly earn its keep versus hiring in a crane, if used on a similar basis.

 

It would be interesting to know how many lines already have a suitable crane/vehicle for such work (I suspect the majority) and compare it with how many are saying they need one?

 

Rail cranes are useful, as they can access locations that road cranes can't. They're needed for rerailing any derailments, and I suspect can also be useful for other jobs like putting up signals or lifting track panels.

AFAICT, Most preserved lines rely on ex-BR cranes. The questions are therefore (1) whether any lines need a crane and (2) whether these particular cranes would be useful. What state are they in (i.e. how much would it cost to restore them)? Are they of a standard design where parts (or drawings) are easy to obtain, and for which there may be an understanding already within preservation movement of how they work?

 

Good evening well we are the north Dorset railway trust at shillingstone on the somerset and Dorset. we have already saved the dogfish from the steal works and various tools and machines aswell as a 100 Foot shed whit 6 ton overhand gantry. But we have bin offerd from the scrap dealers the opatunaty to purchase these cranes for scrap price which whot thay brought them for before they cut them up. But we are naw out of funds at are last hurdle and miss this opatunaty http://www.bidspotter.co.uk/en-gb/a...0141/lot-47a5ced4-7723-4e90-b694-a21501055f3e

 

the condition of these crane are emasculate and in ruining condition no work needed and have resantly had new ropes fitted thay where used daily up until a week before the auction which was 13 days a go we have seen them running and working. they are a sound clean and sweet machines well worth saving.

 

How much wonga are you short? What is the price?

 

With buyers premium plus VAT in the region of £8.5k to £9k for one crane, assuming my maths is correct and the figures quoted on bid spotter are also correct

 

Does that incude transport costs? Also how long would you have to prepare for transport? Would that be by volunteers or contractor?

 

These cranes look as though they are of fairly limited capacity - probably ca. 6tons, which makes them of limited use for derailments and the like, but they're still immensely useful things to have for general lifting jobs in and around workshops and yards - most railways accumulate lots of heavy "precious things" that others might term junk, and these often need shifting on a surprisingly frequent basis, a job for which one of these would be ideal. I don't see why both are needed though - one and some spares would be the way to go.

 

one is 5 - 10 tons and the other is 5 tons.

The track looks like a more useful buy - unless it is in poor condition.

 

The guys asking if anyone can help please contact him, his not asking if people the rights and wrongs of saving them.

Stan

 

A competent appeal explains the rights of saving them. It's usually best spell-checked as well.

 

the cranes are being offered by the now new owners aka scrapys rather than cutting them up as there more use in one pece. There no time limet other than monie to stop them being cut up immanently. once a deal is made as they can stay on sight until transport is organist/dismantling. we own the erecting shed which all are funds went to as we have no under cover storage as of yet so we ran out funds when it came to the track and cranes. we however are getting bits of the track for sleepers and spars at limited cost .

 

Looking at this one I'd be more inclined top kick some money in if there was a proper address and details of how/who to make payments to rather than a request to contact the originator direct. Also having had some dealings with the North Dorset folk in the past their stuff has been both literate and costed in its presentation. Wonder if they are aware of this thread and the "need" for these cranes?

 

hello yes we are all well aware of the situation. I am the head manger of the PW department at shillingsone. We will be visiting the site in Kent where they are at present, this Tuesday to help strike a deal if possible, but we are still desperate for funds to help acquire the cranes. I will be going up with our secretary who is well aware of their importance to our future development.

have a look on our facebook for progress updated.
https://www.facebook.com/TheShillingstoneRailwaySociety?ref=hl

all our details are below and any donations are welcome.
please write crane appeal on any donation.

• The North Dorset Railway Trust , Shillingstone Station, St Patrick's Industrial Estate,Station Road, Shillingstone, Blandford Forum
• DT110SA Shillingstone

Phone 01258 860696
Email north_dorset_railway_trust@hotmail.co.uk
Website http://www.shillingstone-railway-project...

 

Have you ever thought the guy might be dyslexic which i think you"ll find he is, A bit of thought before comment please.

 

No, he's not. He just can't spell.