05.08.2024

Lifting a Bullet Train

Japanese lifting gear supplier Nakamura Industry has supplied Modulift, Mod 34 spreader beams to handle Hitachi EMU3000 Bullet Train exports to Taiwan

The company designed a solution using two Mod 34 spreader beams with a 3.5 metre span to provide the four lifting points to which drop links and shackles were connected at each end, with synthetic round slings below the beams and wire rope slings above. This helped ensure that the train's weight is evenly distributed for both loading in Japan and unloading at the Hualien Port in Taiwan. The modular nature of the beams also allowed them to be dissasembled and then shipped with the train, before being quickly reassembled in Taiwan for unloading.

The Hitachi EMU3000 trains will be used on the country's East Coast line with delivery and installation scheduled for this year. A total of 50 traines with 12 carriages each will replace 30 year-old eight carriage trains, increasing capacity while allowing passengers to travel anywhere on the iisland in six hours.

Nakamura general manager Sumihide Haruta said: “The Modulift spreader beams' adaptable design allowed our customer to safely and effectively configure the lift for the EMU3000, while also being easy to disassemble for shipping, and reassembled before offloading."

Modulift managing director, Sarah Spivey added: “Modulift spreader beams proved the ideal solution for safely transporting the train from Japan to Taiwan. We are pleased to be part of this important project.”

Osaka based Nakamura Industry was named an official Modulift distributor in January.