Railway Cranes Volume 2

First published in 2013 to critical acclaim, Railway Breakdown Cranes Volume 2 details the larger breakdown cranes of 36 tons capacity and above that were used by various railway companies as well as British Railways. Also included are cranes operated by the Ministry of Supply. As with the other two volumes in this series, Peter Tatlow, a now retired professional engineer, describes the types of cranes covered in great detail supplemented by his expert scale drawings. Information contained within includes the make up the cranes, their technical details, weights, sizes and other relevant information and just as importantly, many illustrations of cranes at work in a variety of situations. This is a reissue of a book which has genuinely been sought after by many and will enable those who did not get a chance to buy it first time out, to complete the three book series which has become the definitive reference source on British railway cranes.

About the Author :
Peter Tatlow is well known for his contribution to railway research over 50 years. An interest in railways and railway modelling has been his main pastime for as long as he can remember. Born during the age of the 'Big Four', some of his earliest memories are of journeys undertaken during World War 2. Following military service in the Royal Engineers, he joined the Chief Civil Engineer's Department of the Southern Region of British Railways. He left BR over ten years later having qualified as a chartered civil engineer and then worked on the design and construction of bridges, in both United Kingdom and overseas. He is now retired from full-time employment.

Review :
This much-requested reissued second volume in the series on Railway Cranes is mainly focused on the larger breakdown cranes used on the railway - pre and post Nationalisation - through the decades. Peter Tatlow's incredibly detailed research is showcased to superb effect with an impressive collection of photographs, tables and diagrams and covers pre-Second World War developments, wartime 45ton cranes, LMS 30ton cranes, later modernisation cranes (30ton and 75ton examples), 75 tonne telescopic jib diesel cranes and the conversion of the 45ton and 75ton steam cranes to diesel - and more. Alternative re-rerailing methods are also outlined - such as the use of the Bruff road-rail vehicles - as are the accompanying Mess and Tool Vans, together with diagrams of the layout for these vehicles, outlining the equipment carried. Whilst many accidents and mishaps are illustrated, there are also a few involving the cranes themselves! A superb collection of black and white colour images have been gathered to illustrate the detailed history surrounding breakdown trains through the years, while the appendices also include some fascination facts and figures too, including an account of a derailment in the 1960s involving two diesel locomotives and their subsequent recovery. Detailed diagrams of the cranes and match wagons also accompany the text, which will certainly aid modellers wishing to replicate some of these impressive machines. A must-have addition to the modelling library. This is the second edition of a one of a trio of volumes by the author on railway cranes, the original having appeared in 2013. It deals with larger breakdown cranes (36-ton capacity of more) and describes in detail the significance of relieving bogies, invented in 1904, which allowed crane weights to be greatly increased without compromising axle-loadings; they were thus able to cater for larger locomotives and items of infrastructure such as major bridge girders. In fact, the invention spawned a whole new generation of cranes which continued to be delivered until well into BR days, when a number were later converted steam to diesel. There are additional chapters on cranes at war, crane accidents and future policy. Nowadays, railway cranes are largely superseded by road-based machines and alternative re-railing techniques, more suited to routes without overhead catenary, and so very few of them survive. This may seem like rather specialised subject, but the book presents it in a fascinating way that should certainly appeal to the more generalist reader. It is based on painstaking research, combined with high quality line drawings and a generous selection of interesting and sometimes dramatic photographs. The readable main text is supplemented with appendices containing statistics, mechanical details and even a note on the Breakdown Crane Association. In all, an excellent production and offering value for money. This is a re-run of the work first published in 2013 and covering the history of the larger rail cranes of 36 tons or greater capacity. If you have an interest in rail cranes, and missed this one first time around, the quality and production of the work is excellent. Well-illustrated (with diagrams of several types of crane included), together with much informative text, it probably isn't a book for the generalist, but thoroughly recommended if the subject is within your interest range and you did not obtain a copy first time around.