Shovelling with steam Gallery
Peter Love looks at the largest preserved coal-fired steam shovel in the world today, the still-operable monster Bucyrus-Erie 50-B named Mary Sue.
Bill and Mary Sue Ridicill with their just-purchased Cat D8H.
It’s certainly an awesome sight. One that cannot be repeated in the UK at the moment.
It’s amazing how much of the 50-B is still original and is the only coal-fired example still in existence.
The International water tanker downloads two bulk loads of water on the ground before the 50-B can start to move round.
With the boiler filling up with water, the fireman gets ready to drop the fire.
Thanks must be given to the organisers for allowing the author access to a restricted area. When these machines were in action, they regularly worked 24 hours a day, hence the house lights.
Heading for the winter shed can be a long process, but is a great improvement on previous arrangements.
Some two yards of waste are held in the bucket of the 50-B. The firebox is located on the left-hand side of the machine, with access gained from the perimeter catwalk.
The ashpan door is open as the fire is dropped for the final time in 2009.
The crown engine even has its own gantry to allow access.
It takes a considerable amount of skill to make sure the 50-B doesn’t collide with the building.
Pulling out the track locking ring to enable the 50-B to move round on its tracks…
…pushing the locking ring back in place takes just as long.
The smoke extraction equipment is attached to the chimney on the 50-B.
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Current Issue: June 2012
• FOURTEEN PORTABLES ‘COME HOME’ FROM CHILE
• BEAMISH HOME FLEET
• BRYAN STEAM TRACTOR
• SS BADGER
A protected species?
• MINIATURE ENGINES
• A BUYERS’ GUIDE
• FREE POSTER INSIDE!
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• Next issue on sale: 21 June 2012