Great Northern X1735

Derrick

Great Northern X1735 is a 150-ton Derrick. Also known as a "Big Hook" or just "Wrecking Crane," it was designed for putting cars and locomotives back on the track after a wreck. Derricks typically come in 100- to 250-ton capacities, so X1735 is a medium-sized example.

X1735 was built in 1914 by Industrial Locomotive Works, construction number 3009. It was originally steam-powered, with its own boiler. Later in life it was converted to diesel power. Its original road number was GN 96014. Later it was renumbered X1735, and after the merger it became BN D158, the number it still wears.

As of 1970. X1735 was stationed in Superior, Wisconsin. At the merger, it was one of three 150-ton derricks on the roster. It was retired in the mid-80's and conveyed to the MTM on 10/27/1985, along with boom car BN 959439. MTM stored it for many years in the Twin Cities Army Amunition Plant (TCAAP), for lack of track space elsewhere. In September 2006, it became the last piece of MTM rolling stock to leave TCAAP when it was house-moved to Jackson Street for display.

The photograph above was taken just after the house mover finished unloading it. Several items (mostly exhaust stacks, work lights, and foot stirrups) which were removed for the move need to be re-attached.

A working Derrick would spend most of its life stationed in readiness at a main shop, accompanied by flat cars for wreck clean-up gear and retired passenger cars for wrecking crew accomodations. When a derailment occured, the derrick and its train would be dispatched to the location. Once positioned to grab the derailed equipment, the outriggers (three each side) would be extended and blocking and jacks placed underneath to give the derrick a wide stance. Then the tie-downs could be released and the heavy lifting could begin.

Today very few railroads keep derricks. It is more cost-effective to outsource wreck clean-up to firms like Hulcher Services, Inc. Such companies use large side-boom bulldozers for the heavy lifting derricks once did.

Sources:

1. "GN Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment" by David H. Hickcox; text, photo p108.
2. E-mail from John A. Taubeneck, date 05/27/2001.