Congratulations are in order for the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, after their six wheel crane was been shortlisted at The Annual Heritage Railway Association Awards.
The crane has been shortlisted in the Morgan Award for Rolling Stock Preservation sponsored by Paintman Paints.
The team at Isle of Wight Steam Railway will find out next week whether they will be bringing home the prize from the Brighton awards ceremony.
What’s special about the crane?
This 5 ton crane was amongst a quantity of stock purchased by the Isle of Wight Central Railway from the Midland Railway in 1912. The match wagon is believed to be of London and South Western Railway origin, its date of construction is unknown.
Both vehicles were acquired for the Vectrail scheme, when this foundered ownership passed to the Wight Locomotive Society in 1971.
A remarkable relic
That this old crane, still having grease axelboxes, survived into preservation is remarkable. It saw much use during the early days of the Steam Railway being particularly active during the construction of Wootton Station.
It has now been honourably retired from active use and is on display in the Train Story Discovery Centre.
Find out more
Find out more about Isle of Wigh Steam Railway by visiting its website or following on Facebook.
