Would anyone be interested in the "Photography Game" here?

[Charlie B]

Wayne, thanks so much for answering this question. You have the proper pictures to illustrate the descriptions. I think your Crane and idler are fabulous. I don't remember seeing a picture of them.

Charlie

[Catweasel]

That one's probably used for a small crane, like this:



...but idlers are also used to accommodate oversize loads, such as this:



...or to allow a locomotive to switch areas from which it would be restricted due to weight or clearance issues. Here, it's clearance, but on a carfloat, it would likely be on account of the weight:



Wayne

Thanks for that. It makes sense of it's shape.

[Charlie B]

Doing what it was built for, with steam, June 8, 1977 East Palestine, Oh.    
Regards
Charlie

[bdw9535]

Central RR of NJ #5 at Steamtown, Scranton, PA on August 1999.

Bruce

[doctorwayne]

CN crane, working a wreck in Stoney Creek, Ontario:



Wayne

[Charlie B]

Here's a picture of the crane that worked from the other end.    
Regards
Charlie

[doctorwayne]

Both ends seen here:



Wayne

[Charlie B]

Here is another, CR 50207, in New Castle. It even has a railfan in the picture.    
Regards
Charlie

[doctorwayne]

....It even has a railfan in the picture.....

Yeah, those nuts are always ruining an otherwise good shot.

Wayne

[bdw9535]

CR 45210 at the RR Museum of PA, Strasburg, PA , August 2015.

Bruce

[Charlie B]

4/14/1978 Conrail GG1 4870 through Elizabethtown N.J.    
Charlie

[bdw9535]

PRR 4913 at Railroaders Memorial Museum, Altoona, PA October 8, 2009.

Bruce

[Charlie B]

GG1 4936 Etown April, 1978    
Regards
Charlie

[doctorwayne]

As much as I admire GG1s, how about another Mopac boxcar?



Wayne

[Charlie B]

MP GP9 1722, May, 1980 Chicago, Il    
Charlie