UPGRADING UK RAIL

IMPORTING LOCOMOTIVES, GETTING UK RAIL ON THE RIGHT TRACK

The UK’s rail network is ageing, which means the rolling stock, buildings and bridges all need updating. Some of those assets are manufactured overseas and their size and weight present a unique challenge.

With all our own heavy lift equipment, Osprey can promise supply surety with safe can capable logistics that run on time. We also have in-house Customs expertise, so our teams can handle the import/export paperwork and needs of overseas suppliers.

TEAMWORK EXTENDS CAPABILITY OVERSEAS

• Our client knew we have a huge inventory of heavy-lift equipment and transport at our disposal. We were asked for an end-to-end engineered solution that could import fully-commissioned, rail-ready locomotives.
• These locomotives were manufactured in Spain, which isn’t serviced by UK rail gauge. In short, this meant they couldn’t be transported overland by rail to their destination.
• Instead, we took our heavy lift team out to the site, along with all the equipment needed for tandem heavy lifts – gantries, cranes, and SPMTs.
• Collaborating from the outset, we brought all the right haulage partners together and loaded the locomotives into vessels ready for transport to the UK.

JOINED-UP APPROACH ENSURES SMOOTH OPERATION

As well as having the right heavy-lift equipment in-house, the paperwork was handled through our own port services team. This meant no part of the Customs process went unplanned, and we could guarantee scheduling in advance.

International transport plans need precision timetables. Osprey’s multi-disciplined teams believe in taking a joined-up approach to every aspect of a project, and our clients often comment that Osprey’s internal culture is a driving force that ensures smooth operations throughout.