What is this trackside 'crane' for?

[Geoff_K]

This shows the equipment in question under construction on the Sidcup line, but I've also
noticed a few others along the line, and wondered what it is for?

 

[John Webb]

I think, from the adjacent pipework, there may be a pump or similar in a pit adjacent to this object, possibly removing ground water from the vicinity of the track? If so, then such pumps need to be lifted out from time to time for maintenance or if a fault develops. I'm a bit surprised they've not used a fixed gantry over the pit - I would have thought there was the potential for the 'jib' to get rather close to passing trains!

 

[Geoff_K]

Thanks for your reply John. Thought I'd managed to stump everyone.

You could be right, but would the box next to the jib not get in the way, if it has to swing towards us? Unless the box & jib are attached?

There are several more of these along the Sidcup line, all very similar to the above, and always on the 'up' side of the track.

I will try and get some photos of these, now they are completed, some time.

 

[John Webb]

It looks to me as if the jib is fixed to the box - I assumed the whole box pivoted on it's base when I made my reply.

I'm intrigued by the need for this system - at one time I knew part of the Sidcup line quite well. I went to secondary school in the St. John's/New Cross area 1957-64; in the first couple of years we'd travel by train from St John's to New Eltham station and then walk to one or other of the several playing fields in the area for football/cricket/cross-country running.

 

[Geoff_K]

Had a chance to look at these as I passed them several times over the weekend. The Jib is actually a couple of feet to one side of and behind the box.

 

[dgl]

Could be a hoist to allow a worker to be craned down, I believe we have something similar at work near a drain.

 

[eman_resu]

Could be a hoist to allow a worker to be craned down, I believe we have something similar at work near a drain.

Or used for rescue purposes, instead of having to erect an A Frame. It may be a deep pit that requires regular access, and then the worker involved will wear a harness and tether so that they can be recovered f they become incapacitated in anyway.

 

[Geoff_K]

Visited New Eltham Station today, where one of these installations can be easily seen from two road bridges at the country end of the station. A supply cubicle at street level was marked 'New Eltham Track Drainage Pump Station', and a quick Google revealed that it's purpose was to solve historic water-logging problems in severe weather which lead to temporary speed restrictions in the area.

In the second image you can see a blue cover over a presumably deep pit. As suggested above, the jib must be to either allow for equipment at the bottom of the pit to removed/inserted or to allow access to service/inspect the equipment.

 

[John Webb]

Visited New Eltham Station today, where one of these installations can be easily seen from two road bridges at the country end of the station. A supply cubicle at street level was marked 'New Eltham Track Drainage Pump Station', and a quick Google revealed that it's purpose was to solve historic water-logging problems in severe weather which lead to temporary speed restrictions in the area.

In the second image you can see a blue cover over a presumably deep pit. As suggested above, the jib must be to either allow for equipment at the bottom of the pit to removed/inserted or to allow access to service/inspect the equipment.

View attachment 111006View attachment 111007

That does make things clearer. The pump will be a submersible one near the bottom of the covered pit. The green flexible hose connects the pump output to the fixed pipework. There will be a non-return valve before the blue isolating valve so that if the pump is not operating but others are, water won't flow from the pipeline into the pump and its pit, but will let the water pass from the pump into the pipeline. The jib will have lifting equipment attached to it as required - judging by the graffiti there would be a risk of any permanent equipment being vandalised!

 

[Peter Sarf]

That does make things clearer. The pump will be a submersible one near the bottom of the covered pit. The green flexible hose connects the pump output to the fixed pipework. There will be a non-return valve before the blue isolating valve so that if the pump is not operating but others are, water won't flow from the pipeline into the pump and its pit, but will let the water pass from the pump into the pipeline. The jib will have lifting equipment attached to it as required - judging by the graffiti there would be a risk of any permanent equipment being vandalised!

I was thinking that if the blue cover was dispensed with there might be a reduction in tagging attacks !.