About the Project

The depot concerned needed to service heating and ventilation units fixed in the roof of locomotives. Access had to be from overhead in a narrow shed with restricted height. A difficult situation made worse by utilities running along the walls which were in the way of clear lifting.

The solution was an overhead crane with a “dog leg” beam. The ventilation unit was lifted into a restricted clear space above the cab and then driven away by the overhead crane where it is taken over the platform and runs parallel to the locomotive and is lowered to a receiving cart. A replacement unit could then be picked up and run back to be fitted. The system has high level platforms on both sides of the train with flaps that can be lowered to seat on the roof. Once lowered and locked operators can pass over the roof with easy work access.