Smiths, Rodley DW35 6-ton steam crane

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Smiths, Rodley 6 ton crane DW35 and crane runner DW75 (Highley 2015)

DW35 is a 6-ton capacity steam crane, built by Smiths of Rodley, Leeds in 1949 for BR(W). The crane was mostly used at Radyr before being declared surplus to requirements at Swindon.

Contents

Preservation

DW35’s predecessor, 2½-ton capacity ex-GWR steam crane GWR RS38, was used for engineering duties from 1968 until after the opening of the SVR in 1970.[1] DW35, with its greater 6-ton capacity, was acquired by the SVR in 1974 (the year services extended to Bewdley), arriving from Swindon on 31 May together with its crane runner match truck.[2] By winter of that year it was in use for permanent way work, having been "rejuvenated by the provision of a new boiler".[3] One if its first tasks was the considerable changes made in both track layout and position of signals at Bewdley that winter,[4] followed by the completion of Arley loop in spring 1975.[5] It soon became "the steam crane", with RS38 leaving in 1978.

Over the following years, DW35 continued in regular service on Permanent Way work up and down the line. It acquired the nickname Toby Jiblets which originated with Tommy Smyth, the redoubtable P.W. foreman for many years[6]. It was used on a number of major infrastructure projects, such as the refurbishment of Cleobury Road Bridge in winter 1978-79.[7] More routine work included the relaying of sleepers although, due to the crane's limited reach, it could only lay in half the sleepers in a 60ft length with the rest being lifted and dragged in by hand. In 1982 this resulted in the first use of a tractor fitted with a hydraulic arm,[8] foreshadowing the more recent use of On-track Plant such as Road-Railers.

DW35 was used on another major infrastructure project, the installation of Bridgnorth Bypass Bridge, during which it became the first vehicle to cross it on 27 February 1983.[9] The following year it played a major role in the construction and opening of Kidderminster station.[10] On 31 July 1994 it scored another 'first' by becoming the first item of rolling stock to be turned on the newly installed Kidderminster Turntable.

Use on permanent way and similar work continued well into the new millennium, for example helping with a major clear up at Kidderminster Carriage Shed in 2006 ahead of the opening of the new carriage washing plant.[11] It was also used after the 2007 Storm Damage; a picture of DW35 carrying out repair work at Highley appears on the front cover of Phil Sowden’s publication 'The story of the Big Flood'. However in recent years, lighter work of the type it used to carry out has been taken over by On-track Plant such as Road-Railers, with occasional heavier lifts being carried out by the Cowans Sheldon 30-ton steam crane. Consequently as of 2020 DW35 is stored in the siding at Eardington.

The crane is paired with Crane Jib Runner DW75, which was built by the GWR at Swindon in 1927 for an earlier steam crane.

See also

References

  1. SVR Stock Book Fourth Edition
  2. SVR Stock Book Fifth Edition
  3. SVR News 34
  4. SVR News 35
  5. SVR News 36
  6. SVR forum
  7. SVR News 50
  8. SVR News 63
  9. SVR News 67
  10. SVR News 73
  11. SVR News 156

Links

SVR Wiki

Main Page

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Welcome to the Severn Valley Railway Wiki

From this week's featured article
Trimpley Reservoir can be seen to the west of the line between Bewdley and Arley. The reservoir, which is managed by Severn Trent Water, was opened in 1968 and covers 29 acres. It is open to the public and is used by the Trimpley Sailing Club, while other activities include angling, wildlife watching and walking. (Full article...)
Schematic Map of the SVRSevern Valley Railway
BridgnorthEardingtonHampton LoadeCountry Park HaltHighleyThe Engine HouseArleyVictoria BridgeNorthwood HaltWyre Forest LineBewdleyStourport BranchBewdley TunnelConnection to Network RailKidderminsterMaps#Schematic maps of the pre-closure SVRMapandlinks.png
Click on the map for a
larger interactive version

For 101 years between 1862 and 1963, the Severn Valley Railway formed part of the national railway network, running for 40 miles between Hartlebury and Shrewsbury. Established as a separate company, it was mainly operated by the Great Western Railway (GWRGreat Western Railway) and later by British Railways (BRBritish Rail or British Railways).

The present day Severn Valley Railway (SVRSevern Valley Railway) was established in 1965 to preserve part of the line as a heritage railway. Today it has six stations and two halts and runs for 16 miles along the Severn Valley between Bridgnorth in Shropshire and Kidderminster in Worcestershire, following the course of the River Severn for much of its route. Operations involve a mixture of steam and heritage diesel-hauled services.

This unofficial website is a project aimed to collect information and record events relating to the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both past and present.

For timetables, fare information, and news about special events, please visit the SVR Official Website. Other news and information of interest to members, shareholders and enthusiasts can be found on SVRLive.

In April 2023 the SVRSevern Valley Railway announced the launch of a Survival Fund to enable it to overcome the current financial crisis and implement longer-term plans for its future. Information and details of how to donate may be found on the SVRSevern Valley Railway's Survival Fund page.

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Unsurprisingly, there are a large number of questions about the SVRSevern Valley Railway, both in pre-preservation days and for a number of historical items since then. Take a visit down to Query Corner to see if you have a recollection relating to some long forgotten event, or know of a reliable source (maybe an early edition of the SVR News?) that might have the information we need!

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