Nairobi Railway Museum: steam crane

[John Ashworth]

A steam crane has appeared at the museum recently. Maurice rescued it from somewhere in the depth of the workshops.

Photos by John Ashworth, 31/01/11

[Andreas Umnus]

This steam crane seems to be very old.
Have you got anyinformation of the year when the crane was built?

[John Ashworth]

There's no manufacturer's plate on it. I'll try to ask around and see if anyone knows.

[bernarddodd]

Might be worth looking at.
http://www.sandstone-estates.com/index. ... rane-saved
Seems as though it could be of help
Cheers Bernard

[John Ashworth]

Thanks, Bernard. Very interesting. The list of preserved Grafton cranes on the Sandstone website shows two in Nairobi. Unfortunately one of them has now been scrapped, as far as we know, and only one remains. I'm not sure which one it is. The date of manufacture didn't jump out at me - did I miss it or is it not there?

[bernarddodd]

The Sandstone list includes 3 Graftons at Nairobi, G630 of 1900 is unlikely to be the one now in existance which leaves G2110 and G2152 both recorded as built in 1923. these numbers corresponding well with the numbers and dates of the many other Grafton cranes still in existance around the world.
Also worth a look... G2671 built 1928.....
http://www.prestonservices.co.uk/locomotives.htm
Cheers Bernard

[Derek Walker]

There was also a 10 ton Grafton crane at Sanrasm.

grafton.jpg (87.09 KiB) Viewed 7864 times

[Andreas Umnus]

Thanks for all the links. So it seems that the Grafton crane is built around the years of 1900 til 1920.

The restored steam crane in the first link looks pretty good.

And Derek, you wrote "There was...". I assume the crane was scrapped even if he looks quite good on your picture?

[Christopher Capewell]

EARH No. 1106 Grafton 2 Ton Steam Crane. Circa mid 1920s.
Graftons rarely carried date of manufacture. The works plate usually carried neither works number nor date.
The works number is cast in to the base plate of the crane.

See attached – can it be read from an original photo?

The bases for different sizes of crane were cast in batches of 6 to 10 number and used as orders for that capacity of crane came in. It is thus difficult to be exact as to date of order for some sizes of crane.
Other numbers found on various parts are casting pattern numbers e.g. 312 for the cheek plate of this size of crane – complete with manufacturers name.
This crane is not 630 as it has the later form of revolving carriage.

[Christopher Capewell]

Perchance please.

Anyone know the works number of the crane that was at Sansrasm?

And I assume the 'was' is the case i.e. scrapped.

[John Ashworth]

Thanks, Christopher, for this, and for the information you have given on other cranes. I'll have a look for that manufacturer's plate again next week.

[Daniel Osvaldo Caso]

Hello John and all

After seeing this thread a few minutes ago, I decided to join the forum.

I want to model a small steam crane and the one at your photos looks ideal for my needs.

Would be possible to get more photos of it?
From general views to small detail all will be welcome!

Thank you.

Daniel

[John Ashworth]

Welcome to the forum, Daniel. I'm in South Sudan at the moment but I'll be happy to go and take more detailed photos of it when I'm back in Nairobi during the Christmas break, if that's not too late for you.

[Daniel Osvaldo Caso]

John

THANK YOU!!!

Don;t worry about time.
I've been searching for such a beauty for more than a year now so waiting a bit more won't be a problem.

I would like photos of every detail but also a couple of (both) side views and one of the back.
But I assume you are human so I will be very happy with what I get.

I live in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and if you want any information that I could get here just let me know.

B.t.w., what a great forum!

Daniel