The Pumpman.com - The Big Hook

In the days before bulldozers and heavy construction equipment, most larger railroads kept the wreck train on standby 24 hours-a-day. The Big Hook crane was just a part of the wreck train, but certainly the most impressive part. Some of these cranes were more than able to lift entire rail cars and have tremendous winch capacities. When the wreck train was called out it normally had right of way over most other trains so as to expedite the cleanup of the railroads property. Wreck trains actually consisted of several railroad cars specially equipped with all the tools and equipment to replace railroad trackage and to get wheels under cars so that they could be transported for repairs.

The scene above shows the" Big Hook" at work on a derailment. Train wrecks always brought out the populace and this crowd is certainly well dressed. The railroad and location is unknown but it was taken by a photographer who roamed Southern Ohio around 1921. His transportation was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle with sidecar and he was fascinated with steam and steam machinery.

The "Big Hook " at work on a derailment.