The turbine started its journey in Berlin, and was pushed by water to the port of Kelheim/Saal.
The weight of the load and its dimensions – 5m high, 6m wide – prevented it from being carried on large roads, which would have also allowed the company to run two trailers side by side.
But the country lanes that were chosen to take the load to its final destination of the Irsching power station, near Ingolstadt, were too narrow. Instead, P. Adams used split modules to create a 4.9m-wide platform with three pendular axles across, and 20 axles long.
The trailers were pulled and pushed with two 600 HP, four-axle MAN tractors at front and back.
The first section of the trip was covered at night to cross a railway line. It is the only point during the day when there is a long-enough gap between trains to allow a long time-slot. All overhead lines had to be cut for this crossing.
The next day’s hill climb was one of the most difficult, with a 1.5km (1mi) section with a gradient of at least 8%. P. Adams included a self-propelled heavy-duty module with 400 HP power pack as a back-up.
A vanguard of riggers from Alborn Co prepared the way for the 53m-long (175ft) and 7m (23ft)-high convoy by covering pedestrian crossings and traffic islands with steel plates. Bridges were reinforced using additional steel members. Traffic lights were removed and then reinstalled.
After a final ascent up another 8% grade, the turbine reached its destination.
Light rain does not stop the convoy Light rain does not stop the convoy The Goldhofer platform was split into three rows of axles The Goldhofer platform was split into three rows of axles
