Clayton Delaware Railroad Train Wrecking Car Real Photo Postcard

A wrecking car, also known as a railroad crane or breakdown crane, was a vital piece of railway equipment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These powerful, often steam-powered, machines were designed to clear derailments, assist with heavy lifting tasks such as bridge construction, and perform track maintenance. The visible Pennsylvania lettering on the adjacent passenger car suggests this wrecking car, numbered #487, was part of the extensive rolling stock of the Pennsylvania Railroad, a dominant force in American transportation during its operational peak.