Ransomes RapieR W90 Walking Dragline
Serial number 2321 Manufactured 1948

Weight 108 tons
Overall width including feet 8.1m
Boom length 34.7m
Bucket 1.5 cubic metres <br>
Engine 5cyl National R.A.5 200 hp @ 600rpm
Starting air compressor Broom and Wade 2 stage 350psi
Winding drums and walking gear driven through master clutch and spur gear
Slew by electric motor
Generators (2) driven from transfer case on main drive line.
Control air supply from electrically driven compressor
Electropneumatics control the clutches and some brakes(Main hoist and lifting brakes are manual).

Slew track for turning the dragline on the base

The cam that rotates the shoe

Back at the club the dragline underwent thorough restoration as it was re-assembled. 

The coal dust has taken its toll on steelwork. Welding repairs and/or replacement of a significant number of components was required. The A-frame superstructure was re-erected on top of the cabin in February 2010. The cabin roof was replaced over the winter and a coat of paint improved its cosmetic appearance as well as protecting from further corrosion.

Unfortunately corrosion had set in on the boom and rust pockets developed between most joints weakening the structure. painting the boom

Nearly every joint had to be pulled apart, needle gunned and painted before reassembly. Many of the struts have had to be replaced. The whole structure had three coats of two pack paints. Those members involved are hoping the paint is good enough that they will be too old to be asked when it next needs painting.

In February 2011 the boom was reassembled and raised into place. "BIGFOOT" took its first steps in time for the 2011 annual Steamfest rally.

The club has owned Rapier W90 dragline since 1992 but until July 2008 it was stuck at the bottom of the  Hazlewood power station at Morwell in the Latrobe valley 150 km east of Melbourne. It has now been transported to the club thanks to a donation from International Power Hazlewood and a substantial restoration exercise has got it back to good working order. 

In the first couple of years of the club's ownership a massive exercise was undertaken down at the mine to get it going. It had last operated at the end of the 1970's and much was required to get it  operational. The motivation of those involved was that this unique piece of equipment should not be lost. Ideally it should be on public display, preferably at the club premises. Although the machine was restored to operating order getting it out of the mine and on public display proved beyond the club's means at that time. Every now and then it had to be moved to accommodate mine operations. The last of these moves was in June 2008. Following this last walk at the Mine International Power Hazelwood assisted the club in moving the dragline to Scoresby.

Preparing to move the dragline.
A covering of damp coal dust had corroded air lines that operated the dragline controls

in all the most inaccessible spots

Preparing to transport it to Scoresby
Removing boom and gantry

The dragline body was lifted using 4 big jacks and the trailer was backed into positionloading

Two pulling one pushing and up she comes out of the pit

After a midnight start from Hazelwood arriving at the club