West Highland line closed

[jopsuk]

With heavier engines, it is probably time Network Rail considered purchasing a couple much larger rail cranes.

Large cranes need stabalisation, especially if they are to reach something lying a distance from the track. If you tried to lift a heavy item sitting that far away from the track with something sat only to the tracks, or even just stabalised on the railbed, you'd have a derailed crane as well.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Large cranes need stabalisation, especially if they are to reach something lying a distance from the track. If you tried to lift a heavy item sitting that far away from the track with something sat only to the tracks, or even just stabalised on the railbed, you'd have a derailed crane as well.

Probably start pulling it towards the tracks with heavy winches. To then to start lifting/ dragging the engine (probably the first action would be the end closest) they would need 2 cranes. As the NR cranes cannot take the weight on their own, and if the weight suddenly went onto one crane........an unacceptable risk.

This is an impressive crane!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VlrV6W3CDiE

 

[fsmr]

According to page 97 of todays Railway Magazine 66734 could be left reclining on the lochside for months.

It's owner Porterbrook and the insurers can't decide what to do with it.

It's been covered in a tarpaulin and fitted with motion sensors in case it decides to go for a swim.

I thought you were going to say in case someone tries to steal it for scrap
Doubt even they could get to it in that remote position

The cost of getting heavy plant up there, which would have to be by rail and building any sort of stable platform to winch off and then lift would probably run to well over the price of a new loco before any repair costs

It will have to wait i think till 2048 when the new class 66 preservation group attempt a recovery in time for for Railfest York 2050

Unless the army plan to send their new secret 140 ton heavy lift chopper in for training

 

[sbt]

Unless the army plan to send their new secret 140 ton heavy lift chopper in for training

Point of detail: The UK's Support Helicopters are operated by the Royal Air Force (less a few operated by the RN for the Royal Marines). The helicopters of all three services are controlled by Joint Helicopter Command.

 

[marks87]

There's something slightly spooky about this photo of 66743.

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3062942

I think it's the buffers protruding from underneath the tarpaulin. I wouldn't like to pass it in the dark!

 

[michael769]

Unless the army plan to send their new secret 140 ton heavy lift chopper in for training

There are a number of Sikorsky Skycranes available for private hire (at a cost), but I fear they do not have the lifting capacity.

 

[fsmr]

There are a number of Sikorsky Skycranes available for private hire (at a cost), but I fear they do not have the lifting capacity.

Yep you would need at least 5 of them to lift a 66 and the top secret 140 ton Army heavy lift stealth copter is still on the drawing board

No best action is to de lube and defuel it and let mother nature do the rest.
There is a steam loco on Snowdonia that crashed on the first week of operation and was left .
Maybe 40 or 50 years back with cheaper labour costs and less H & S concerns it may have been possible to recover 140 tons ecconomically but not today IMHO

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Maybe 40 or 50 years back with cheaper labour costs and less H & S concerns it may have been possible to recover 140 tons ecconomically but not today IMHO

I would agree there, just up to the environment agency to ok it.
Probably someone will happen to look at it in a few years time and the diesel power unit will have vanished!!!

 

[DXMachina]

There is a steam loco on Snowdonia that crashed on the first week of operation and was left .

It was the first train on the first day of operation
And it was removed and sold for scrap almost immediately.

 

[GB]

What ever happens, there is no way they will leave the engine and other valuable bits in situ.

 

[robertclark125]

Is cutting up on site an option?

 

[fsmr]

It was the first train on the first day of operation
And it was removed and sold for scrap almost immediately.

Appologies i believed it was still down in the ravine slowly going back to nature