Locomotive Storage Limited has purchased four Street cranes, placing them at a refurbished facility at Crewe Diesel Depot.

The main tenant is LNWR Heritage, which is responsible for overhauling main line steam locomotives, including boilers and carriages. The site includes a locomotive and carriage workshop, storage area, heavy lifting shop, and a boiler department that manufactures new components.

A 40t capacity Street crane and three new 5t overhead cranes are used to carry out heavy maintenance lifting and general workshop duties.

The three new Street cranes are all double girder construction and designed to maximise hook lifting clearance within the depot and feature ZX hoists making them quick and easy to maintain. Two of the cranes include anti-collision software ensuring optimum safety when used in tandem.

Bob Samples, Locomotive Storage’s Depot Manager, said: “The railway industry has used overhead cranes for many years to help lift heavy components and ensure that operations are efficient and safe as possible.

“The new Street cranes are much more advanced than the ones we’ve used previously as the technology has advanced considerably. They’re easy to operate, reliable and almost completely maintenance free which is a major benefit, ensuring we can work without worrying about downtime.”

Locomotive Storage places Street cranes at rail depot