Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Wrecking Steam Locomotive Railway Crane
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
1. Wrecking Steam Locomotive Railway Crane Marker
Built by the Brown Hoist Company in 1952, this 75-ton crane was designed for both foreign and domestic service. Weighing almost 170,000 pounds, its self-propelled double hoist and secondary single-hook cable, provided lift capacity for loading heavy material and equipment. The advantage of two hoists was that the main one had a lift capacity for large loads, while the auxiliary one, although significantly less powerful, had a greater reach.
The entire boom, which provides all the lifting capability of the crane, measures approximately 25 feet with an extension of about 12 feet beyond the body of the crane. It was used mainly to lift derailed train cars and to remove debris from the tracks. The crane has the capacity to swivel 360 degrees so that the boom is able to reach its intended area without much difficulty.
This crane was issued in the 1950s to the 714th Transportation Battalion at Fort Eustis for student training and was used through the 1960s.
Erected by US Army Transportation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Forts and Castles • Railroads & Streetcars
this page online
Location. 37° 9.995′ N, 76° 34.472′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. It can be reached from Washington Boulevard just south of Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Virginias Peninsula, in Hampton Roads, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Petroleum Railway Tank Car (here, next to this marker);
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021
2. Wrecking Steam Locomotive Railway Crane Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 471 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
