Abnormal Load Convoy - Supergrid Transformer

[BDennis]

I rushed out after lunch to get some photos of this. It was the second of two 178 tonne supergrid transformers being delivered for National Grid to a new substation near Biggleswade Bedfordshire. It came from Tilbury Docks today up the M11 to Duxford then followed a route passing Royston Herts coming along the B road near our village. I'd hoped to see it coming around some Z bends but I didn't gobble down my lunch quick enough to get out in time and just saw it going up this hill. There are quite a few wheels on this low loader! It was taking up the whole road with only enough room for a bike to pass by the looks of it...and someones Ocado shopping delivery was going to be late.

Bill

[wornish]

Thats a big piece of kit.

[Olybirder]

That's rather awe inspiring. I hope somebody was there to sign for it when they arrived. They couldn't leave that on the doorstep.

Ron

[wornish]

How big is the crane that will lift it into place?

[BDennis]

How big is the crane that will lift it into place?

According to the hauliers Collett Transport a crane is not being used on the new substation site for this. On their Facebook page they said for the delivery of the first transformer it was moved directly onto the plinth:

"Upon arrival at the site, the transformer was skidded directly from the trailer onto the final plinth."

A local drone photographer got some great photos of the first delivery but they are all shared on Facebook, it does not seem right to screenshot the image and copy it here but if this FB link works it shows the photo of the site and I think the plinth is in front of the stopped vehicle with some orange coloured rails:

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=363124989832387&set=pcb.363125269832359

Also this Twitter link has some photos:

https://twitter.com/CollettLtd/status/1758446309084672364

Ah just found this website with some photos:

https://www.heavyliftnews.com/collett-transports-transformer-from-tilbury-dock-to-biggleswade-substation/

And on here they have some info on the skidding technique of off-loading these things:

https://www.collett.co.uk/corduff-substation/

Bill

[wornish]

Thanks for the links. pretty amazing stuff.

[DerekC]

Now there is great piece of engineering. The skill and planning it takes to get a load like this to its destination.

[Mark2112]

Excellent work Bill. Definitely worth rushing out to grab the shot.

[Walti]

That's rather awe inspiring. I hope somebody was there to sign for it when they arrived. They couldn't leave that on the doorstep.

Ron

It’s ok they can leave it with a neighbour!