The Recovery Train

The Recovery Train, officially known as the Breakdown & Recovery Train, is a breakdown train operated by Tri-ang Railways. It is often called to the sites of minor derailments but also to sites of disastrous collisions.

History
The Recovery Train was first formed in the 1880s as the idea of locomotives carrying rerailing jacks was seen as too expensive and saw a special breakdown and recovery train as far cheaper and logical solution. It wasn't until 1898 when TR orders four 30ton cranes from Cravens based off a design by competitor Cowans Sheldon which two were delivered by 1900.

Vehicles
Over the years, the Recovery Train has been changed and expanded as second-hand rolling stock came on the market. Rolling stock used on the Recovery Train are as follows:


 * Cravens 30ton cranes (based off Cowans Sheldon design)
 * Cowans Sheldon 75ton cranes
 * TR "Second-Gen" coaching stock
 * BR Mk1 coaching stock

Livery
The liveries used on the cranes used on the Recovery Trains differs between eras, known as "marks" by TR.

Mark 1 (1900-1918):


 * Crane body: Olive green wt TR emblem
 * Crane arm: Olive Green
 * Frame: Olive green

Mark 2 (1919-1953):


 * Crane body: Dark Brunswick Green with TR emblem
 * Crane arm: Dark Brunswick Green
 * Frame: Black wt Dark Brunswick Green

Mark 3 (1953-1993)


 * Crane body: Black wt TR emblem, white 'ENGR DEPT.' font and red highlights
 * Crane arm: Black wt red tip and highlights
 * Frame: Black

Trivia
The 'ENGR DEPT.' during their Mark 3 livery means "Engineering Department", referring to which sector or department the equipment allocated to.

The reason Cravens instead of Cowans Sheldon is seen on the cranes is because in Australia, where the series is filmed, many cranes there were mostly built by Cravens.