Nomination for "Best Supporting Actor"

Prince Rupert BC, 1959. Railroad photographers aim at the “stars,” the thrill of the chase, the nailing of a specific motive power, and perhaps building up “roster shots” of their favorite locomotives.

But there is a whole bunch of candidates for “best supporting actor” – MOW - Maintenance of Way equipment that enable the “stars” to shine.

One of my favorites was the Wellman Diesel self-propelled crane. She had a beautiful four chime air horn, and just kind of trudged here and there, doing this and that helping to keep the Skeena Sub Division running smoothly. Shown here at Terrace, BC, April 9, 1959, in her “traveling configuration” with her accompanying “boom car.”

The Locomotive Crane Division of Wellington Engineering Company in Cleveland, Ohio manufactured this machine. Built in the mid ‘50’s, she bore serial number 4364. This firm started in 1896 as the Wellman-Seaver Engineering Co., founded by the inventor of the first open-hearth furnace in the U.S., Samuel T. Wellman, his brother, Charles. H. Wellman, and John W. Seaver, to engineer and design steel mills and industrial plant equipment.

One of the company's executives, George Hulett, had invented the Hulett Unloader, which revolutionized the Great Lakes ore industry. There has been a loosing battle to preserve at least one or two of the more than 70 Unloader’s that worked the Great Lakes. The Engineering students at the University of Cleveland have created a fully functional model of a Hulett.

Or, if you are looking for a Christmas Gift idea, go for it!

In 1930, the corporate name had been changed to the Wellman Engineering Company. In 1954 the Cleveland-based McDowell, Inc., an international construction and engineering firm, acquired Wellman, and so on and so forth!

But, I digress. The Wellman Diesel Crane, with her 12 foot outriggers, could function with a clamshell bucket, as a snag puller with a set of tongs, using her magnet attachment, loading scrap rail in Prince Rupert, July 11, 1959.

Or as a pneumatic pile driver as seen at Kwinitsa, August 16, 1959. A nomination for “best supporting actor!”