Preparing the hook. Members of the Nevada Northern Wrecking Crew scurry around Steam Crane A as they prepare her for a late afternoon operation to re-rail a hopper that has become a victim of the ice jams that plague the Ely Yard in the wintertime. In this view, you can see that the crew has extended the crane's outriggers and is in the process of blocking them up to stabilize the crane laterally. If you look closely at the back of this machine, you can see that a pair of clamps have already been installed and tightened, literally clamping the crane to the rails below it. Up in the cab and out of view, a fireman has already lit the match in the firebox and the steam-up has begun. The red car coupled to the front of the crane is a companion tool car that pretty much stays with the unit all the time. While out on the line, it serves as an idler car, allowing the crane to swing on the curves. It also carries all of the stabilizing blocks, cables, slings, hoists and tools that the crew might need for the toughest of jobs. The process of making this crane ready to work from a cold start takes a crew of about half a dozen men approximately 2-3 hours to complete.
A tribute of appreciation to the workers who maintain the track, keeping our railways in shape regardless of weather and danger, and keeping them running effeciently.
