Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd. (RSS) has provided rigging equipment for use below-the-hook of a Liebherr mobile crane, as the UK’s Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) West project continues.

TRU is a major, multi-billion-pound programme of railway improvements; it will bring better journeys to passengers travelling across the Pennines between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York. The latest phase of the project covers a range of multi-disciplinary railway upgrades.

The mega project relies on frequent contract crane lifts to stay on track. In a recent example, a 750t capacity Liebherr LTM1750-9.1 — part of heavy lifting and transport specialist Mammoet’s fleet — was used for installation of hulking cills units and beams. These works were part of the Span 29, Huddersfield, phase of the contract.

This particular scope of work centred on installation of four 68t beams and a single 115t cantilever beam. The cantilever beam was made from 70.5t horizontal standard and 44.5t cantilever beams, cast together. It was 21.5m long, 2.1m wide, and 2.5m high.

At the centre of the rig supplied by RSS was a 200t capacity MOD 110H spreader beam. At the top of the rig were two 100t, 10m endless slings; two 150t bow shackles; and two 120t bow shackles. Below the beam were two 45t master rings (supplied by a contractor); four 30t, 10m chain blocks; four 35t, 3m wire rope slings; four 120t bow shackles; and two 35t bow shackles. Beneath the hook of the Liebherr, meanwhile, were 100t, 10m roundslings.

Stephen Littler, regional manager at RSS, said: “We continue to provide lifting and rigging services to some of the region’s most demanding, important infrastructure projects. TRU West is another example of a multi-site construction enterprise, that requires high-quality products and expertise, to exacting requirements to precise and short lead times. We were pleased to be part of another landmark contract crane lift — with our below-the-hook equipment at its centre.”

These lifts took place overnight on three consecutive evenings. TRU West continues.

Littler recognised

RSS recently crowned Littler’s Warrington facility Depot of the Year, while he himself took home the Manager of the Year trophy. The winners of the first ever company awards were presented at a gala evening in Swansea, Wales.

“I was really surprised and taken aback by the awards evening,” beamed Littler. “I love the work we do here at RSS so to get the recognition was very overwhelming.  But I couldn’t do it without the fantastic team I have around me. Everyone puts in 100% — every day.

“This year is looking strong already,” he continued. “We started with a record month for the Warrington depot — and the rest of the year looks very promising.”

Caption: Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd. delivered a spreader beam and rigging gear for another contract crane lift at Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) West.

For editorial enquiries: Steve Hutin, managing director, Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd., steve@rssgroup.co.uk