Street goes full steam ahead with specialist rail project

New lifting equipment supplied by Street Crane is playing a key role at a specialist rail depot, which helps to preserve heritage rolling stock, including main line steam locomotives.

The once derelict facility at Crewe Diesel Depot has been completely refurbished by new owner Locomotive Storage Limited. The main tenant is LNWR Heritage, which is responsible for overhauling main line steam locomotives, including boilers and carriages.  The site includes a locomotive and carriage workshop, storage area, heavy lifting shop, and a boiler department that manufactures new components.

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In addition to an existing 40-tonne capacity Street crane, three new 5-tonne overhead cranes were purchased by Locomotive Storage. Specified for regular daily use, the new Street cranes carry out heavy maintenance lifting and general workshop duties.

Bob Samples, Locomotive Storage’s Depot Manager, said: “The railway industry has used overhead cranes for many years to help lift heavy components and ensure that operations are efficient and safe as possible. 

“The new Street cranes are much more advanced than the ones we’ve used previously as the technology has advanced considerably. They’re easy to operate, reliable and almost completely maintenance free which is a major benefit, ensuring we can work without worrying about downtime.”

The three new Street cranes are all double girder construction and designed to maximise hook lifting clearance within the depot and feature ZX hoists making them quick and easy to maintain. Two of the cranes include anti-collision software ensuring optimum safety when used in tandem. 

Chris Lindley-Smith, sales director at Street Crane added:

“We have more than 50 years’ experience of the rail sector and providing cranes for depots of all different sizes and functions. Whether for manufacturing the industry’s latest trains or more specialist work such as that carried out by LNWR, we can provide a range of cranes to suit specific needs and ensure that operations run as smoothly and safely as possible.”