30.12.2025

Crane & booms on tunnel renewal

UK based Ainscough Crane Hire used a 230t Liebherr LTM1230-5.1 to install new support beams in the Whitefield Tunnel on the Manchester Victoria to Bury heavy rail line in northern England, along with two articulated road-rail boom lifts.

The five axle LTM 1230-5.1 features an eight section 75 metre main boom, topped by an 11.5 to 20 metre bi-fold swingaway extension, additional inserts take the maximum tip height to 113 metres.
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The 230 tonner lifting old iron beams out and new concrete ones in

Two boom lifts, a 48ft Platform Basket RR14 Evo 2-400 and a 49ft Manitou ART 17 TH, were used both in the tunnel and outside, with the critical work carried out during a six day line closure.
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An inside view of the tunnel

Whitefield Tunnel, which was formally opened in September 1879, a recent investigation by the main contractor, Story Contracting, discovered that one or more of the tunnel's iron support beams had cracked and needed replacing.

The network decided to renew all of the beams in the tunnel, which is located beneath utilities and a live road. The new precast concrete roof beams and supports were installed during the critical closure period, with teams working around the clock.
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Metrolink network director Ian Davies said: “Replacing beams in the 145 year old tunnel was never going to be a simple task, and the close proximity of electric, fibre optic and gas lines, plus a water mains and the busy road, only added to the complex nature of the work."

“Thanks to everyone’s hard work, we completed the work and opened the track on time. We know work like this is disruptive to passengers, but it helps to make sure our tram network is safe, resilient and reliable for years to come.”