- “Cranes are airy fairy things! They need a lot of attention, like me in fact!”
- ― Gordon, Cranky Bugs, fifth season
Besides Cranky, Big Mickey, Colin, Merrick, Reg, Beresford, Carly, Ol' Wheezy, Hee-Haw and Happy Hook. There are several other Cranes that are used around the harbours of Sodor and the Mainland to lift heavy cargo from ships and other things.
The Rolling Gantry Crane
The Rolling Gantry Crane is a rail-based crane used for loading and unloading cargo from ships. It was used as background stock at Tidmouth Harbour, Knapford Harbour and Brendam Docks.
It first appeared in the Railway Series book, Henry the Green Engine and has been stationed at Tidmouth Harbour since. In the television series, it first appeared in the first season up until the seventh season. It last appeared in the spin-off series, Jack and the Pack episode Jack Owns Up.
Merchandise
- Wooden Railway (discontinued)
Miniature Cranes
Some miniature cranes used as background stock from TUGS also started appearing in the television series from the second season onwards and they were animated to appear past the switch-over in the CGI Series. The cranes were seen across the Island of Sodor in different locations mainly used at the harbours. One of the miniature cranes is currently on display at Drayton Manor.
They can be found at Brendam Docks and Whiff's Waste Dump.
Merchandise
- ERTL (discontinued)
- De Agostini (discontinued)
- Thomas Engine Collection Series (discontinued)
- Departing Now (discontinued)
- Nakayoshi (discontinued)
Steam-Powered Cranes
Various stationary Steam-Powered Cranes have been used as background stock in the television series. More specifically these cranes have been seen at the Timber Yard, Fishing Village, Boulder Quarry, the Works, Knapford Sheds and the Wharf.
There have also been several named steam-powered cranes featured throughout the series, including Colin, Hee-Haw, Ol' Wheezy and four other stationary steam cranes named A.J.R. No.1.
Trivia
- The large-scale model of the Narrow Gauge Breakdown Crane was briefly reused as a stationary crane used for set dressing at the Works and Knapford Sheds in the seventh season episodes, Something Fishy, Gordon and Spencer and Bulgy Rides Again.
The Wellsworth Scrap Yard Crane
A small crane was used at Wellsworth Scrap Yard during the second season. Since Tale of the Brave it has been replaced by Reg. It's job was to load pieces of scrap into the trucks of the railway.
Livery
The crane was painted brown.
Tower Cranes
Tower Cranes are very tall and can reach higher places. They made frequent appearances behind Knapford in the first and second seasons. They were used at Boulder Quarry, and Brendam during the fifth season.
Livery
These cranes were painted brown and red.
The "Grabber"
The "Grabber" is the nickname for a crane with large retracting claws used for dismantling, smelting and scrapping machinery based at the Sodor Ironworks.
Once, 'Arry and Bert wrongfully shunted Stepney underneath the giant grabber, with the intention of scrapping him. Thankfully, the Fat Controller arrived in the nick of time and shut the grabber down.
Trivia
- In the fifth season episode, Stepney Gets Lost, the narrator implies that the "Grabber" is sentient.
Merchandise
- Tomica (discontinued)
A.J.R. No.1
A.J.R No.1 are a series of four stationary steam-powered cranes along the Skarloey Railway. Two of them are located at the Wharf, one is located at the transfer yards, and one at the quarry.
Appearances
Trivia
- It is unknown what the letters "A.J.R." stand for.
Mainland Cranes
Two cranes appeared at a dockyard located on the Mainland. Another one will be based at The Steelworks.
Livery
The cranes were painted brown.
Basis
The cranes are based on photo references of various cranes from the 1920s to the 1950s. Cranky is also a member of this class.
Appearances
- Specials - Journey Beyond Sodor
- Videos - Gina the Smart Engine
Other Cranes
Other various types of cranes have been used as background stock in the television series. These can be found all over the Island of Sodor.
Merchandise
- Wooden Railway (Various versions)