GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Hockley Station: gwrhd2617

The 25 ton Goliath travelling gantry crane at Hockley Goods Yard unloading a transformer from bogie boiler trolley (telegraphic code crocodile H) No 41974. The travelling gantry crane with its steam hoist and traverser cabin was manufactured by Joseph Booth and Brothers Ltd of Radley near Leeds. It was the largest capacity crane in the Midlands prior to 1939. This photograph has been set up for a publicity shot to illustrate the facilities and special vehicles that existed for the conveyance of exception loads by goods train. Notice the white screen positioned behind the load to obscure the background (see 'gwrhg2620').

Robert Ferris

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