While the 75 t SWL cranes built by Cowans Sheldon and used on the UK network are well known to this forum, what is perhaps less well known is that two cranes of the same design, but with a different carriage and relieving bogies to suit a narrow gauge network, were bought by New Zealand Railways (now KiwiRail) around 1979. Of these, one survives (C-S #31658) and is currently being overhauled and extensively modified for use as a multi-tasker type infrastructure crane.

Hi Jack
Have you any photos, it would be good to see what she looks like.

Hello Mick,

The photo is of how it was before overhaul and modification. The modification retains the original 2 section 60 t SWL boom, but gives the option of an interchangeable 3 section 20 t SWL rated for use fully extended horizontally giving the ability to lift 20 t at 13 m measured off the short end headstock. This work is currently in progress.

Perhaps of interest, the NZ version of the UK 75 tonners was downrated to 60 t mainly for reasons of stabiliser capacity, the slewing works being identical to the UK cranes. There remains the option to upgrade to 75 t capacity should the need arise.

More photos to come once it looks more like a crane and less like a dismantled shell.

Thanks for that Jack.

What's the gauge? 3ft?

_________________
Bryan

http://www.nymr-pway.co.uk/

Hello Bryan - the gauge is 3' 6" (1067 mm).