30-ton CS ex-WD crane in Strasshofmuseum, Vienna, Austria (1)
Photo © Martin Allen
Date: 4th July 2001
The axleboxes are marked 'LMS'. The jib runner is numbered 96704. The Austrian running number was 966 300. There were no works nameplates on the crane.
Chris Capewell provided the following information:
The circumstances of this crane's arrival in Austria are uncertain. It is one of two Cowans Sheldon 30 ton capacity ( CS 7869 and 7870/1942 ), ten wheelers built for the Ministry of Supply in 1942. It appears possible that it may have been in the Arnoldstein/Graz area in 1945 being used by British Army R.E. units engaged in bridge rebuilding. (The other CS 30 tonner became MoD 62007 at Shoeburyness until the mid 80’s, latterly converted to Diesel power.)