10.06.2004

Thieves strike SRS Rail for second time in two days

UK road/rail equipment specialist SRS Rail System has today reported the theft of numerous items of plant from its Appleby Glad Industrial Estate facility in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

The items include a red HMF 2220 knuckle boom crane - serial number 870459. A special railway crane, the unit holds some unique features, such as a shortened pillar by 130 millimetres from the standard length meaning that the first boom cannot be fully extended. The unit also features HMF’s 5200 lifting control system, which is located on the base of the crane, and is one of only four in the UK. The crane also has damage on the transport position locks.

Also stolen was a 20-foot, flat deck module. This is a 20-foot container base with 600 millimetre aluminium sides marked 'SRS Rail System Limited'. The module stands on legs when removed from the vehicle.

The items were fitted to a road/rail truck with registration number DX03 AXY, which was found abandoned in Walsall earlier today. A yellow SRS rail-only trailer measuring 2 x 4 metres, serial number 150250305, was also among the stolen equipment. This particular unit is one of only six rail trailers in the UK with airbrakes activated on the rail wheels.

The theft follows yesterday’s reports of a stolen backhoe loader from another SRS member. David Smith at SRS Rail would be grateful for any information relating to the stolen plant. He can be contacted on 01483 773825.