On the 27th June 1994 the Thornaby crane was called to Morpeth, I attach an image of it. The train was empty postal stock being hauled by 47783. The locomotive and many of the postal vans had overturned, the track was severely damaged and some of the overhead wire structures lay horizontal. The postal vans were recovered without much difficulty using the BDC but the locomotive was left because it was clear of the main line and the priority was to re-open the line. The locomotive was much more of a challenge, it had come to rest approximately sixty foot away from the nearest rail and the use of carnage was not an option so the locomotive was jacked upright and then jacked sideways at the same time being manoeuvred between overhead wire structures and then onto the track. The track at that point has a cant of 150mm (the maximum) and the locomotive was lifted over the high side of the cant. This was the most challenging jacking job that I have been involved with and very satisfying to complete. The M.F.D. jacking equipment is a good kit and is probably the main reason for the vast reduction in Breakdown Cranes.
Dick
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