wrecking crane

noun

, Railroads.

1. a crane for lifting and removing wrecked rolling stock.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wrecking crane¹

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75

Example Sentences

And when the wrecking crane finally comes: “The sheared towers revealed dozens of brightly colored rooms, like a box of pastels.”

From Washington Post

During the many lulls in the story, viewers can pick out elements from other films: The design for the Doberman evokes "Up," one potential buyer imitates Edna Mode from "The Incredibles," a tracking shot through the engine of a wrecking crane recalls a clockwork sequence in "The Great Mouse Detective."

From Los Angeles Times

Phillips is nothing more than a massive ball on the end of a wrecking crane.

From Time Magazine Archive

He pulled back on one of the several levers recessed into the hull and the big wrecking crane swung smoothly out of its cradle and over the wreckage.

From Project Gutenberg