MTR X-1

On my way home from my # 71 visit, I stopped at Dennison to check out the Montour crane X-1. It sits on a spur along the road at the edge of Dennison. The Ohio Central main line runs through Dennison and right past the crane.

I don't think it has moved in quite a while. The track has been removed behind it, and the tree at the side of the tank car in front of it is growing between the running board and the tank. The tree is about as big around as my wrist, so it has been growing for a while. Bring an axe if you want to get X-1 out of there...

Gene's book says X-1 was retired from the Montour in 1983 and sold to Briggs & Turvas, who had moved to Dennison, Ohio by that time. Tim says X-1 was purchased by the Ohio Central from a fabricating company that succeeded B&T at Dennison. It had numbers re-stenciled onto it, but still retains the Montour lettering and markings.

The left side shows the Montour logo and number. X001 has been added below them. On the side frame, MONTOUR is still visible.

The right side is in poorer shape due to sun & weather, but the logo, number and lettering on the frame is also evident.

On this detail of the front of the cab, MTR is stenciled - a similar one is on the other side. So, there is no doubt as to where this crane came from.

I don't know when the last time it was operational. It is no longer working - and probably never will - but it is still in existence. Just off of Rt250 along State Rt800 as you come into Dennison. There is also a rail museum at the old station in Dennison with some PRR coaches, freight cars, an 0-4-0T and a C&O steam engine on display. The station is from the old PRR Panhandle days and has been refurbished.