Kenya: another breakdown crane

[John Ashworth]

This 1952 crane was converted from steam to diesel electric in 1993

Photographed in the old steam shed, Nairobi, by John Ashworth, 01 May 2010. Sorry about the poor lighting - my compact camera couldn't quite cope.

[Christopher Capewell]

EAR 1130; one of two 76 ton capacity machines, ordered from Ransomes and Rapier in 1952.
They were tested at Ipswich in August 1954 and August 1955 respectively and commissioned into service in 1955-6.
For many years 1130 was based at Nakuru.
They had hydraulically operated six wheel relieving bogies, and an articulated jib foot.
Sister crane 1129 toppled in the early 1990s, shortly before it was due to be converted to diesel power, and was being used for spares. ( Is it still dumped in the yard?, with its jib in a bogie wagon? )

These cranes were Ransomes and Rapiers largest capacity railway breakdown crane for a non military customer.