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Caption: A summer day in 1965 finds CNR big hook 50008 all steamed up, likely for Belleville Railway days which occuredlate June/early July. 50008 is a Bucyrus Erie, 250 ton crane, built 1946 with serial number 36210. Supplying the coal is tender 51585, and out front is boom tender 60033. According to Bruce's notes this was the last steam big hook on the CNR roster, and would be converted to diesel in the near future. Note two plows; CNR 55369, CNR 55396, and at least 3 flangerss visible in the yard. Thanks to Paul O'Shell for information on this crane, as well as MOW equipment in the rest of Bruce's collection.
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How would they stoke it? Automatic feeder?
Beautiful image!!!
Steam cranes had an assigned operator and an assigned oiler/helper back in the day. It was the oiler/helpers job to get the crane (or shovel, or ligerwood) fired up each day, and dump the ashes each end of shift. Coal was manually transferred from the tender or other support car into the firebox of the crane. As these wrecking cranes as well as Engineering assigned cranes became dieselized, the oiler/helper position was eventually abolished.
Bruce was always interested in steam cranes and other types of machinery.