A locomotive crane consists of a welded steel carbody, rotating machine house, lattice boom and two sets of trucks designed to run on railroad track. The major components include a diesel engine, generator, traction motors, axles and various mechanical and hydraulic systems and controls. These cranes have a lifting capacity ranging from 25 to 250 tons depending of their size and how they are equipped.

A unique feature of locomotive cranes is their ability to perform lifting operations while serving as a locomotive for one or more attached rail cars. They can quickly travel miles to remote job sites under their own power, if required. Precision engineering and careful couterweighting enable them to work with very heavy lifts while maintaining their center of gravity over a narrow wheel base.

Photographed by Bob Niesyn, April 25, 2004.
Added to the photo archive by Robert Niesyn, April 25, 2004.
Railroad: Valley Railroad.

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