Self Propelled Modular Transporter Box Drive

This initiative was bourne out by the need to install a 6300T bridge under the West Coast Mainline during a 9 day closure of Europe’s busiest railway without the risk of any over-runs which would have had multi-million pound financial penalties, huge commercial liabilities and a loss of corporate reputation.

Traditional bridge slides would have taken too long so they designed a permanent structure around its unique transporter system, a Self Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) that would break the UK’s record for the heaviest bridge delivered by SPMT drive. This was designed and built specifically for this bridge and their Fulfen Wood Overbridge was designed and cast specifically to utilise this SPMT.

There were indications that Network Rail may reduce their blockade from 9 to 8 days due to other signalling and engineering work elsewhere on the infrastructure. They had to find another solution which would remove the risk of railway blockade over run and deliver the bridge on time.

The SPMT designers worked to effectively re design the bridge with some enormous temporary works. The bespoke SPMT design and how it worked with the concrete bridge allows the structure to be lifted and driven 150m and under the West Coast Mainline within the first couple of days of the blockade.