The transport of several tram vehicles from China to Samsun in Turkey resembled a lesson in modern logistics involving air, land and sea transportation. Owing to certain problems in using the sea route, the first streetcars arrived in Samsun on an Antonov AN-225 and were then subsequently transported by ship. Moving the 35 t tram from the port and airport to the tram depot was carried out with an 8-axle SCHEUERLE-NICOLAS Superflex in Turkey. CABA Transport has successfully used it for transporting railway vehicles of all types. However, this is not everything that the versatile all-rounder Superflex has to offer.
Construction of rail-bound vehicles for public transport travel is expensive. This is particularly so when entire fleets are purchased, resulting in considerable amount of money being invested. Public transportation providers therefore compare offers very accurately and ensure that the tendering process is done on a global basis. At the same time, the question arises regarding safe and efficient transportation logistics in order to deliver the rail vehicles, as in this case, from China to Turkey. For example, when transferring from a harbour to the installation point in the rail network, special vehicles are usually required for this purpose. However, if there are no rail-bound vehicles to transport, they remain unused.
CABA Transport, therefore, made a conscious effort to become “super-flexible” through the purchase of the SCHEUERLE-NICOLAS Superflex. It is not only ideally suited for the transport of rail vehicles but can also accommodate numerous other loads. As a result, expensive downtimes can be minimized or avoided. With a 7m telescoped length, the Superflex features an up to 4m longer telescopic extension when compared to other manufacturers in spite of the low deadweight.
Even articulated vehicles can be securely loaded and transported on the SCHEUERLE-NICOLAS Superflex with the help of load distributors. The length of the telescopic loading area is easily and simply adapted to match the dimensions of the cargo. If the freely moveable two-axle module is not required, it can be removed without auxiliary means. This is unique in the industry and saves on the use of a crane or forklift.
“This clever vehicle solution shows once again that the TII Group, with SCHEUERLE and NICOLAS, confirms its own understanding as an innovative world market leader in the manufacture of heavy-load vehicles. “Once again, we have considered the situation from the perspective of our customers – that makes the difference,” said Mathias Hobusch, Project Engineer at SCHEUERLE.