Danbury in Fairfield County, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

NYC Crane, “GCT-1”

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 9, 2015

1. NYC Crane, “GCT-1” Marker

Inscription. Built in 1914 by Industrial Crane Works of Michigan, it is 90 feet long and is capable of moving 100 tons. It moved using third-rail power, but crane operation was powered by several large batteries on the roof. The short, stocky booms of the double ended crane show the designer’s intentiions for tunnel use. Of the three cranes like this ever built, this is the only one that survived the scrapper’s torch.

Erected by Danbury Railway Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 41° 23.837′ N, 73° 27.005′ W. Marker is in Danbury, Connecticut, in Fairfield County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of White Street and Balmforth Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Located in the Danbury Rail Yard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 White Street, Danbury CT 06810, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Boston & Maine ALCO 2-6-0 Mogul 1455 (a few steps from this marker); Wilton Semaphore (within shouting distance of this marker); CV Flatcar (within shouting distance of this marker); Hitchcock Picnic Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome Back Home Uncle Sam

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(within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Hitchcock Picnic Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Danbury Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Meeker's Hardware (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Danbury.

Also see . . .
1. Danbury Railway Museum. (Submitted on October 11, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Danbury Railway Museum on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 11, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 9, 2015

2. NYC Crane, “GCT-1” Marker

The "shoes" next to the wheels drew electrical power from the third rail.

New York Central Crane Car, “GCT-1” image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 9, 2015

3. New York Central Crane Car, “GCT-1”

Built for the New York Central Railroad for use in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal tunnels. Used third-rail power to move and large batteries for lifting. 100 ton crane at each end.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 9, 2015

4. New York Central Crane Car, “GCT-1”

The massive boom designed to fit in tunnels had a capacity of 100 tons.

Photographed By Michael Herrick, October 9, 2015

5. New York Central Crane Car, “GCT-1”

Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,870 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 11, 2015, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.