breakdown crane
noun1
Rail transport, Railways, Transport UK A crane that can be used in the event of accidents and derailments, as well as for engineering work on the railway; the crane is usually coupled to another vehicle on which the jib can be rested when travelling, or when the crane is not in use.
- There are meetings to attend in connection with engineering work, such as bridge construction, where the use of the motive power breakdown crane is needed, or a meeting with contractors working adjacent to the railway who wish to hire the crane.1960 April 23, A. W. Bennett, “A Locomotive Shedmaster's Day”, in Railway Magazine, page 272: