Q Do you know of any recent developments in dual-purpose road/rail vehicles?
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AHead Wrightson Teesdale Ltd. has re
cently designed and built a road/rail vehicle with a load carrying capacity of 150 tons in either form. Crane Fruehauf Trailers Ltd., of Dereham, designed and built the road bogies, each of which have 40 wheels, have fully compensating hydraulic suspension and can raise or lower the bogie 1ft. Additionally, the hydraulic systems will lift the frame 2ft 4in. above the normal.
Two Scammell 6x4 long-distance Contractors powered by 358hp diesel engines are used for road work. In rail form the outfit is 128ft 5in, long overall; on the road, minus tractors. the length is 96ft 3in. between coupling eyes. It is to be used to carry heavy equipment from the port to the Kainji power station in Nigeria. Maximum load dimensions are 28ft by 12ft wide and 13ft 9in. high. Tare weight is 120 tons.
Another interesting road/rail development comes from Switzerland where a Ford Transit van has been fitted with special sliding clamps on its axles to locate the wheels to the rails. It is being tested by Swiss National railways for overhead power maintenance. Similar vehicles were investigated some years ago for track maintenance in Scotland.