ER puts first 44-tonners into inter-modal service
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• The first working 44-tonner operation on UK roads is thought to be a steel load carried to the Manchester Euroterminal from Rotherham a week ago (16 June) by European Freight Logistics, the intermodal haulage specialist launched last month.
A second 4-1-tonner arrived last week at the Willesden railhead in North London with a load of paper from Sittingbourne, Kent bound for Italy.
The 1000 Series Foden 6x2 with Montracon triaxle trailer is also operated by EFL. It is part of Railfreight Distribution's fleet of 55 tractors and 110 trailers with 44-tonne capacity. The unit has air suspension all round, as required by the new regulations.
The trailer—a standard 12m unit rather than the new 13.6m maximum—was re-designed and re-plated to work at 44 tonnes. EFL will livery the vehicle in its yellow and blue colours (based on the EU flag) .
The company has put 18 41tonners on the road this week. It is a preferred haulier under a contract with CTL, one of the big three who have bought space on the Railfreight Distribution's Channel Tunnel trains.
Under its deal with RID, the private haulier can call on units from the state company's fleet and then is committed to keep them for a set "substantial" contract period, says Bennett.