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(Click image to see larger version) Pettibone invented the "do it all" rail crane. |
The Northwest Railway Museum first adopted a Pettibone Speedswing in 1994. With Hyrail gear and more than 30,000 pounds it has been used to deliver railroad ties, clean up minor incidents, perform rail exchanges, and reconstruct and demolish track up and down the line from North Bend to Snoqualmie Falls. The original machine is a model 441B built in 1979, but it has been showing its age. |
(Click image to see larger version) The new 441C pauses for a photo outside the Railway Education Center. |
When Maintenance of Way Equipment Inc. delivered the Museum's newly purchase tamper in mid June, one of the principals commented on the age and wear on the Museum's Pettibone. A few weeks later, the Company offered to donate a new model of Pettibone and asked if the Museum was interested. Naturally, the Museum accepted their kind offer.A low boy truck delivered a model 441C on a pleasantly cool weekday morning. Just out of service on the BNSF Railway, it had called Havre, MT and a steel gang home for some years. It was completely rebuilt in 2009 and has no reported mechanical or electrical defects. This machine has already been placed in service helping maintain the track and perform maintenance at the Conservation and Restoration Workshop.
Special thanks to Maintenance of Way Equipment Inc for their generous contribution!
