Wreck & MOW
Reading Company Wreck Crane #90901
Background & History
Wreck Crane #90901 is a huge piece of equipment that is the heart of a “Relief Train”. The 90901 was purchased new by the Reading Railroad in 1956 for $211,792.61. It was built by the Industrial Brownhoist Company, is powered by twin diesel engines, and its 500,000 pound capacity means it and its sister crane #90902 could easily lift an entire Reading T1 steam locomotive. It was originally delivered in black paint and spent most of its life at the Erie Avenue Terminal in Philadelphia, PA. It was repainted in the 1960’s to match the yellow and green Reading Relief Train.
At 191-tons, it is the heaviest piece of equipment in our collection, even out weighing locomotives like the 5308 or 6300. The crane is currently painted as Conrail 45214, in black with red safety stripping. It is rare to see a wreck crane painted in anything other than basic black.
Wreck Crane #90901 at Leesport Yard. February 1997.
(Photo Courtesy Tim Weidner, MP&RE Collection)
Wreck Crane 90901 in its dressed up Reading colors in the early 1970’s.
Mechanically, the crane is in excellent condition and is fully operational. It will be part of our authentic recreated Reading Relief Train consisting of the following:
Wreck Crane, Crane Idler Car, Tool Car, Rider Car, MOW Gondola, MOW Flat Car.
Plans call for the wreck crane to be repainted into the Reading Green and Yellow that the car wore from 1960 into Conrail. This will be quite a task with all of the nooks and crannies. But we are up for the challenge.
Industrial Brownhoist
250-ton Crane Specifications
Builder:
Industrial Brownhoist
Bay City, MI
Date Built:
March 1956
Main Capacity:
250 tons (500,000 lbs)
Auxilliary Capacity:
60 tons (120,000 lbs)
Whip Capacity:
15 tons (30,000 lbs)
Length:
41’11” (less boom)
Weight:
383,100 lbs.
Axels:
6
Bearings:
Roller converted
Engine Model:
HBI-600 Cummins (2)
Type:
4-stroke diesel
Horsepower:
145 x 2
Cylinders:
6
Controls:
Air
Outriggers:
3 set (1 powered)
Transmission:
Twin-disk clutches,
torque converters
Brake System:
SA-2 straight air + train
Fuel Capacity:
75 gallons