The cat tracks were added later. So far as I know there are five of this style machine left in the world. I don't know which one this is since you didn't give a location. An Atlantic model 45 on tracks on static display under a roof at the Minnesota Museum of Mining in Chisholm MN. Marginally better shape than this one. An Osgood on wheels at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion Assn. Grounds in Rollag, MN. Operates labor day weekend. A Bucyfus Model 65 in Australia on rails in operating condition. One of unknown make or model in Saskatchewan, Canada. One of unknown make or model rumored to be outside in upstate New York, non operating. Edit , This one in the video is the one in LeRoy, NY. They had a three to four man crew typically, a main operator, a fireman, an oiler, and some had a man riding on the boom to trip the bucket. There were four steam engines, one for the bucket lift, ine for boom swing, one for propel, and one up on the boom for boom stick in and out (crowd). I've had the pleasure of being on the ones in Chisholm and Rollag. There are RU-vid videos of the ones in Rollag and Australia operating. If someone can add to or correct this list, please do.
There is a similar shovel, built by the Marion-Osgood Co., of Marion, Ohio (circa 1910-1914), located at the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion grounds, located in Rollag, MN. It is operational and operates every year, at the reunion, which is held for four days, over Labor Day weekend. The machine was moved from the Kosmos Cement Company's quarry, located in Battletown, KY. The machine was completely overhauled, and the boiler was rebuilt by the Larson Welding Co.,in Fargo, ND. The engines were freed up and the boom was completely rebuilt at the Belleview Sand and Gravel Co., located in Belleview, KY, under the direction of Wm. Rudicill and John Pelley. It took six semis to move the machine, countless volunteer hours, and about $250,000, to move and restore this machine. The boiler passed the MN Dept of Labor's annual certification, in June, 2020. Check out the Steam Shovel's page on facebook.
My grandfather was a railroad man, and had an original blueprint for the Marion 91, which I still own today. It's not easily done around here, but I intend to get a good quality flatbed scan done eventually so that I can share it. I contacted a college engineering department about the possibility of them using their high quality scanner and they didn't even reply. My own alma mater too! What a shame...
Caterpillar tracks were a style of tracks first used by either Holt or Best. Holt and Best merged to form Caterpillar Company. These machines were made with three options, railroad trucks, cat tracks, or steel wheels.
