Crane at Poplar Dock, London, c 1900.

Cranes were an invaluable piece of equipment in goods yard, to lift heavy loads on and off wagons. They were also widely used in railway workshops to move carriages, and at accident scenes to remove damaged carriages and locomotives. London's docks had expanded rapidly at the start of the 19th century. The coming of the railways helped this expansion by transporting goods to and from the docks.