Wrecker Crane, Industrial Works, construction #2927, 1914

This steam powered 120-ton (lifting capacity at 17 feet radius; capacity decreased as radius increased) crane was used for heavy lifting work often required for cleaning up derailments and wrecks, hence the name “wrecker.” It was built in 1914 for the St. Louis Iron Mountain & Southern, a predecessor of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, as their #Z-8. At the time, it was the heaviest self-propelled wrecker built by Industrial Works. It received its present number in 1928 when StLIM&S was merged into the Missouri Pacific. In 1953, the boiler was converted to burn oil (it originally was coal fired). It was last used in the Poplar Bluff, Missouri area. In 1967, the wrecker was retired and donated to Mid-Continent. It arrived at North Freedom in October of that year.

#X-105 contains an oil-fired boiler operating at 125psi which provides steam for a twin-cylinder 300hp stationary steam engine that drives the crane cable. The wrecker can move under its own power. To counterbalance the immense weight of lifted loads, weights are placed at the rear of the crane body. #X-105 is accompanied by an “idler” flat car to protect its boom when coupled to other cars. Storage tanks for water and oil to supply the boiler are contained within the crane body. When #X-105 was donated to the museum, it was paired with a Missouri Pacific ex-steam locomotive tender which increased water and oil capacities. That tender is presently mated with the OSL #762 rotary snow plow. MP #X-105 was functional and occasionally used for special events and work service at Mid Continent. MP #X-105 was later removed from service pending repairs. It was sold at auction in 2015 and purchased by a scrap dealer.