...And tilt costs rise
Page 6
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THOSE operators intending to use the German Railways' "piggy-back" service to take advantage of the preferential issue of haulage permits (CM Dec 17) will have to operate purpose-built or specially converted T1R tilts if they want to run into Austria and Yugoslavia.
Although vehicles with a height of up to 4m (13.1ft) can be used as far as Munich, rail tunnels and bridges beyond this point are unable to accommodate them.
Maximum height at the centre of the tilt for this journey can be 3.89m (12.8ft) but sides and corners must not exceed 3.6m (11.8ft).
In practice, most operators are likely to use flat top tilts with a maximum height of 3.6m (11.8ft).
To reduce the standard tilt to this size, 356mm (141n) has to be cut out of the uprights and the roof lowered. A standard sheet is still retained but tucked under.
This enables the trailer to be converted back to standard if permits become more freely available, at a later date.
For the operator who converts his own trailers, the cost could be as much as £200 per vehicle.
In addition, the trailer's carrying capacity is reduced by nearly llcu m (400cu ft), a reduction which could make the difference between profit and loss. Crane Freuhauf, the Hayes-based trailo maker, offers a conversion service for operatol and can build adjustable height tilts.
Its subsidiary, Rentco trailer rental is able t offer a one month rental of a low height tilt fc around £47 per week, although one-way hire i not possible, into Europe.
Boxvans, unless specially built, are unusabl except as far as Munich.
The York Trailer Company, however, offers . grp van which comes within the heigh requirement.
York Trailer can also supply its Kangaroo TH tilt which was specifically designed for rai transit.
The Kangaroo trailer has a special chassi which incorporates a high articulated suspen sion, to reduce possible axle overloading whel the trailer is loaded onto the rail bogie.
Straddle points along the chassis frame alloy it to be lifted if necessary onto the train.
Other manufacturers able to supply suitabi, vehicles and offer conversions include Cooks o Rainham and Northern Vehicle Sales.
Although the outlook is gloomy at presen there is one small ray of hope.
The Yugoslavian authorities are considerinl lowering the track by mounting it on a concret base, especially through the tunnel at th Austro/Yugoslav border.