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Cravens 1902 25 tons Plate
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Author:  Covade [ 30 Jun 2020, 09:02 ]
Post subject:  Cravens 1902 25 tons Plate

Hi,
I'm trying to get some more information on the enclosed plate. From the 'design & development' section of the website I can see that Cravens built some 25T for the NER in 1907. The plate precedes this by 5 years. Any suggestions please on what it might be off?

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Author:  Roger Cooke [ 01 Jul 2020, 16:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Cravens 1902 25 tons Plate

It is hard to say with certainty, but I think it is likely that it is from an industrial crane rather than a railway crane, since at that period Craven Brothers were very productive in the industrial arena. Possibly and overhead travelling crane? In 1902 a 25 ton railway crane was pretty substantial and certainly if British, would be known.

I imagine that you have seen the Graces Guide page for Craven Brothers (link below), which has a picture of a very similar 50 ton plate dated 1894 but frustratingly doesn't say what it is from.

link: https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Craven_Brothers

Your plate is certainly very early and is a nice find, it looks on good condition too.

It is quite possible that some of the forum's more learned Craven contributors will be able to shed more light on it.

Author:  Covade [ 02 Jul 2020, 07:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: Cravens 1902 25 tons Plate

Thanks Roger,
Having given it some more thought, I'd think you're probably right about the plate being from an industrial factory crane, I guess the bright yellow tends to give it away! Also, there is no rust which would indicate it hasn't spent the last 100 years+ outside.
For the record, I got the plate from a salvage yard in Birmingham, under the canary yellow paint, the original colour is a kind of yellowly/ochre.
I'm going to clean it up and hopefully turn it into a coffee table-pics to follow once done....

Author:  Roger Cooke [ 02 Jul 2020, 09:06 ]
Post subject:  Re: Cravens 1902 25 tons Plate

With the amount of regeneration (or, depending on your viewpoint, extirpation of industrial heritage) that Birmingham and the surrounding area has seen in recent years, my initial guess would be an overhead travelling crane from a now-demolished factory.

Whatever its origin, it was a great find and I am glad that it has been saved.

Author:  Covade [ 14 Sep 2020, 15:53 ]
Post subject:  Re: Cravens 1902 25 tons Plate

Finally got around to shot-blasting it and repainting!

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Author:  Roger Cooke [ 14 Sep 2020, 20:43 ]
Post subject:  Re: Cravens 1902 25 tons Plate

That is looking lovely, an outstanding job!

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