I am in the process of re-reading some of my collection of RTCS Railway Observers from the 1960 -1990 period. Unlike most publications of that period the RTCS did occasionally refer to Breakdown Cranes. As I come across these references I will detail them here for anyone interested.

RO - October 1961
36 ton Salisbury breakdown crane DS37 and match wagons DS3085/86 were present in Ashford works for a General repair on the 7th September 1961.

RO - October 1976
Wimbledon based 75 ton diesel breakdown crane ADB965186 whilst involved in the clear up of an incident at Rowlands Castle on the 10th August 1976 toppled over and had to be itself re-railed.

Fascinating stuff, John, many thanks for posting. Please keep these coming!

Roger

RO - November 1976

On the 4th September 1976 two Mermaid engineers wagons derailed on points just south of Orpington station. 33054 was in attendance with the Hither Green breakdown crane ADS1560

RO - November 1976

The Landore Breakdown Train now consists of 45 ton Ransomes and Rapier steam crane No.18, match wagon ADW150442, ADB975082 (ex MK1 BSO W9261), ADB975149/50 (ex MK1 BSK's S34634/36) and ADB975480 (ex MK1 BSK E34729)

Came across this of 96704 in action

http://www.railphotoarchive.org/rpc_zoo ... 3020079000

RO February 1977

ADE330115 last recorded at Cambridge and ADE330136 (Ransomes and Rapier 30 ton crane 3879 of 1942 ex Ripple Lane) were sent from York to Arnott Young, Dudley Hill, Bradford for breaking up on the 30th November 1976.

RO April 1977

75 ton steam breakdown crane TDM1093 entered Derby works for conversion to diesel.

RO May 1977

Haymarket steam breakdown crane is ADM1054, a Cowans Sheldon 50 ton crane built in 1930 with match wagon 299855.

Edit: Match wagon number corrected.

Came across these which may be of interest

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_davi ... /contacts/

and this

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dbdi/68763 ... otostream/

Extract from the official accident report
"breakdown cranes from Nottingham. Derby and Wellingborongh were called out to clear the line. No. 2 Down Goods line was re-opened to traffic by 5.10 pm. the same evening and the remaining lines were cleared and relaid with plain track by 2.30 pm. on the following day."
http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/docume ... te1963.pdf

Thanks to John for the link to Chris Davis's photo of a breakdown crane in King's Cross station in the mid-1970s. Chris couldn't recall why the crane was in the station so I asked Allan Baker, supervisor of the Finsbury Park 75-tonner at the time, if he might have any idea. (Allan is a member of the BDCA but not a regular visitor to the forum.) His reply follows:

The crane was always kept with its jib facing north as the 75 tonners are slightly more manoeuvrable using the jib that way. If it was needed the other way round on a civil engineering job, if it was not going to be turned in its natural way to the job, we would have it turned specially via Dalston on the Friday before and then turn it back afterwards. I can only conclude that as it's facing south in this view, it was at KX for some engineering job.

To use it for a derailment at KX, it would have to have been a very serious one as the congestion it would cause would be enormous. If we had an engine off in the Pass Loco we would always try and do the job by road in my time. We kept some jacks and packing there so the lads could start the job before the main gang arrived to save time. Any disruption in the Pass Loco was critical, especially if engines had to be ferried out to The Yard for attention.

I cannot recall the particular occasion and I only remember one occasion when we needed the crane at KX for a derailment and in that case, the jib would have been the other way round. We did use it at KX at weekends on several civil engineering jobs in connection with the electrification works and throat remodeling etc.

It's a pre BRUTE shot so I would say before 1975. I went to 34G in the late summer of 1974.

Shortly after I arrived, I had the Cowans Sheldon letters highlighted in white and Finsbury Park painted on the jib!

RO October 1977

75 ton Cowans Sheldon steam breakdown crane TDM1094 from Carlisle Kingmoor has arrived at Derby for conversion to diesel. The 50 ton Craven crane at Longsight, RS1013 has moved to Carlisle to cover TDM1094. Currently in Derby works under going conversion is TDM1093 from Willesden and 45 Ton Ransomes and Rapier crane, RS1097 from Saltley is on loan to Willesden as cover.

RS1097 - http://www.flickr.com/photos/pics-by-john/6416909851/