Quattro AC55 Rail Crane Makes Light Work Of Seaside Footbridge
Last week a popular footbridge located between the seaside towns of Sandown and Shanklin on the Isle of Wight was removed for refurbishment and repainting.
Working with Beaver Bridges, Quattro was on hand to plan, oversee and execute the job safely.
Using the specialist AC55 Rail Crane the 9 ton footbridge was lifted comfortably from its foundations and positioned onto the nearby transport steering trailer. It will be broken up into three smaller pieces and taken off-Island for repair.
‘Our Rail Cranes lift many bridges in many different locations around the UK’, said Andy Johnson, Rail Crane Operations Manager for Quattro. ‘It takes a lot of planning and discussions with our different clients and Network Rail in order to ensure we position the correct rail crane with the exacting specifications needed for radius etc for any particular bridge. The Skew Footbridge has now been moved successfully and Quattro will return to put it back again when the job is ready.’
The AC55 Rail Crane used to move the footbridge, weighing 46 tons, was transported back to Lichfield on a specialist Quattro wagon.
The metal footbridge structure, used to cross Island Line train tracks, is due to be returned in June, when Quattro will travel back to lift and position the new improved bridge before dawn.
Quattro MD, John Murphy added,
‘All of our cranes are based in Lichfield, so it will be another trip on the ferry to start work during the night. Who doesn’t like to be beside the seaside?’
WATCH VIDEO OF THE FOOTBRIDGE BEING MOVED
Pictures by Sean Gwilliam.
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