The final movement and installation of a 198 tonne transformer into Dumfries and Galloway has been carried out by heavier haulage specialist Collett & Sons, writes Peter Brown.
It hauled the transformer from Heysham Port to Scotland’s Gretna Grid Stability Facility, employing a 24-axle 350 tonne capacity Scheuerle girder bridge trailer at a combined length of 77 metres.
Eric Crosby is the projects director at Collett & Sons. He said ‘the team strategically built the trailer around the transformer, ensuring efficient self-loading and minimal handling of the cargo’
The transformer is 10.2 metres long, 3.7 metres wide and 4.8 metres high.
Road conditions in the final four miles were not suitable for the girder bridge trailer, so the transformer was loaded onto a 16-axle self-propelled modular transporter for the final section, which was done at 1mph.
“The Gretna project required meticulous planning and coordination,” Eric explained. “We’re proud of our dedicated team for working extremely hard and providing a quality service to our customer.
“I’d also like to extend our gratitude to Lancashire and Cumbria Police for escorting the convoy, as well as to the local authorities and supporting service providers, whose assistance helped ensure a safe and smooth delivery.”
The final delivery was part of a broader project that also included a 234 tonne stator, which is the stationary component found in electric motors and generators, earlier in the year.
