DERAILMENT Cleanup Machines

I operated an Orton 200 Ton wrecker for CSX out of Atlanta for several years and sometime later a Pettibone 125 ton OTR crane. The side boom tractors could be very helpful in some circumstances and were often welcomed by the members of our wrecking crews. However,,,,,the non-union private contractors paid substandard wages and were able to eliminate the so called Big Hooks, They were not more efficient, but due to the lower wages and lack of protections they simply undercut those of us who had been doing this work for many years. Our crew consisted of a derrick operator (myself), four ground men or riggers a cook and a foreman. We did have a dedicated assemblage of cars including panel rail cars, a tool car, a firefighting car, a sleeping car and a diner car. Compared with the contractor's contingent we were trim but in my opinion the railroad simply wanted to eliminate any union employees in order to return more profit to investors.

My son works for Hulcher, NW Ohio, proud of him!

The tractors are referred to as Cat Pipe Layers. I manufactured almost every part on most Cat Equipment from links to the 3400 series engines. From 4 buildings in East Peoria to almost every building in Mossvile Illinois.

I worked a lot of derailments on Union Pacific Railroad . The experience of watching two Side-Winders moving a locomotive up the dump and setting it on the rail . An AMAZING sight to witness . Side-Winders can do awesome tasks cleaning up derailments and other railroad needs . Great video .

Great video ! When I hired out with Conrail in August of 1979 , the company had a steam "hook" on a ready track in Croton-Harmon NY.... The only time I got to see it operate was in 1980(spring) at the GM plant (Chevy yard) in Tarrytown, NY . The switcher that serviced the plant ,picked the switch going into the north end of the yard....I was just turned 19 years old and was amazed by the machine and the "wreck crew" that worked specifically with the old stream crane ....your videos are a wonderful trip down memory lane ...thanks !!

I spent a bunch of years on the Southern Ry/NS “Spencer Derrick”, a 250 ton Brownhoist monster out of Linwood, NC. Two big Detroit diesels along with a smaller diesel light plant occupied the rear part of the Derrick body. Unlike the joystick cranes of today, those derricks were a bear to operate because of the wall of controls, valves, clutches, brakes etc., none of which was labeled! The sidewinders, as we all referred to the pipeline dozers, pretty much made all the derricks across the US obsolete! The first time we ever saw a sidewinder was on a derailment at Ansonville, NC on the Winston-Salem Southbound Ry. (Owned 50/50 by NS & CSX), and had 4 SD’s down a large embankment. CSX’s Hamlet, NC hook was there also, another 250 ton behemoth, and it took booth hooks and several sidewinders to clear it all up over a couple days. Within 2 years or so, the Spencer Derrick was idled, and an era ended! It was crazy hard work, but the pay was more than worth it! Another thing about sidewinders, if you notice, they’re all older units. The new ones are all electronic with load limiting circuitry, whereas the older ones were operated by levers attached directly to the hydraulic valves. The newer machines would severely limit how far they could push the thing, so they only use the older stuff that they can push to, or beyond, their limit! Old school rules!

My Daddy worked for Illinois Central Railroad for thirty years. He loved overtime when there was a derailment. He was strong and out worked most of the younger guys. I am not sure what kind of heavy equipment was in use, but once the foreman took charge, Daddy followed orders and worked tirelessly.

I remember seeing Southern Railway wreck boom hoist Oyama Yard Hickory . NC as kid I was 🎣ed on MOW trains . Great video representation of men & women do these jobs .

Great quick overview. Wreckers and rerailers are the unsung heroes that keep railroads fluid in times accidents / emergencies. Thank you!

That's Hard Work For Those Worker's To Clean Up The mess

I still see a small handful of Union Pacific's railroad crane's on their mainline trains typically near the head end of mixed freights. Every now and again.

I had my share of wreck trains sitting there watching those guys work and when it was time to eat man those converted kitchen camp cars were great, ate alot of steak and tossed salads and fresh Italian bread, most of the guys were car department guys and Italian…… loved those guys they never forgot the train crew…biggest part of them are deceased now but I certainly haven’t forgotten them….those were real railroad days……ms~~~

I saw one of the big hooks at the railroad museum of Pennsylvania.

I've seen and recorded the pan am wreck train and it's a great sight

For a time the Delaware Lackawanna Railroad, a shoreline operation in Northeastern PA used a wreck train crane to conduct repair work on there locomotives. The United Railroad Historical Society of NJ also does the same at there Boonton restoration facility to save on contractor costs.

Corman, Cranemasters and Hulcher are the big 3 in our neck of the woods. All three are impressive outfits with a ton of cool, good looking equipment.

"Surf or repair rail", with apologies to Robert Duvall. I'm never bored watching those monsters pick up engines, etc., and set them down on the rails. Great video, V12! Cheers, Bob

I used to be a longshoreman working at ITO in Searsport. (International terminal operating company) The Bangor in Aroostook railroad Bouys had a minor engine derailment out in front of the office in the snow. Those poor bastards were out there with blocks of wood, bars, and pneumatic bottle jacks! It took them almost all day to get it back on the rails! We teased them and said they finally earned their money that day!!! We used to go back-and-forth with them, it was all good.

Metro North still uses a wreck crew and smaller wreck crane. Amtrak also has a wreck crane though not often use for that. Its a kirow Crane

Real Good Video !! I worked at Conrail elkhart yard in late 80’s . They had a huge wrecking crane their from the New York Central days . Seen it a few times in use their inside the yard !!