Old steam crane owned by the family Briggs 2011

he who must rome · Apr 15, 2011

As I was passing this location (like I have many times over the many years) I kept seeing a crane boom but no one ever in the yard until today !, Reet I had to ask so pulled the car into the top of the yard a weathered looking bloke strong in stature came over to my car which by now I had got out of and I asked if I could take some photo's some time in an evening when it drops dark (night time photography) his reply was 'NO' and so I said sorry for wasting his time, I was just about to leave when he asked who are you, what do you want the pictures for and why at night which I replied with my name and that I was an engineer who also was into photography and caving/potholing etc also I have my portfolio in the back of the car if he wanted a look.....after a few seconds he said yes i'll look at your photo's around 10-15 mins later seeing pictures of bigger wire controlled cranes from the Coniston area and many mine/potholing pictures he shut the book, gave it back to me then said 'come look at this'.....I didn't need to be asked twice....off we tootled round the back of the buildings and hell I didn't expect what I was shown a fully operational steam crane and not only that but it was mounted on a set of railway lines and it could self propel in both directions, it even came with its own flat carriage for hauling goods on and both units were in very good sted.Both myself and Mr Briggs talked about engineering and my full job role etc.......I must state I felt 'reet at home ere' amongst the muck and grime of engineering from the past.

When I go back I will obtain as much info on the crane including locations it worked and owners if possible but for now here are some pictures...