Mediaco developed a safety plan for the train removal, and a method of preserving parts of the train for analysis by insurance inspectors, and representatives of the train manufacturer and operator.
After meetings with the SNCF and train operator ETF, Mediaco won the public tender for lifting and transport of train elements (400t) and also the removed section of the bridge that was damaged (115m, 450t).
Mediaco used a Demag CC 2800 SSL with 300t counterweight for a lift on the central span of the bridge (in the middle of the river Rhône, carrying 60t at 65m radius). The difficulty in this operation, the company says, was the obligation to work underneath live overhead power lines on the adjacent tracks, which had only a one hour and ten minute power cut in the morning and another for two hours and 15 minutes in the afternoon.
The SNCF scheduled the job to be carried out between 28 October and 30 November 2006.
Two Mediaco teams – one for bridge cutting, the other for lifting operations – used two 100t capacity, and one 70t capacity, telescopic cranes, the big Demag and two special trailers with six and eight axles to get the job done.
The 20-strong team finished lifting train and bridge section in half the time alloted: only 16 days.
Mediaco uses a Demag CC 2800 SSL to lift a damaged railcar on the Culoz bridge, France Mediaco uses a Demag CC 2800 SSL to lift a damaged railcar Mediaco team transfers the carriage between cranes Mediaco team transfers the carriage between cranes Riggers on the Culoz job Riggers on the Culoz job
