Allelys completes multi-unit seaside transport

Specialized transport company Allelys completed the removal and replacement of two 40 tonne Class 158 diesel multiple unit (DMU) railway trains in Barmouth, wales.

Due to the closure of an essential bridge at Machynlleth, the Allelys team completed the transport by road rather than rail. 

The Class 158 units were transported using six axle rail trailers and two tractor units. The vehicles were 30.8 metres long, 3 metres wide, 4.85 metres high and weighed 90 tonnes.

Allelys was tasked with the removal and replacement of two class 158 units in Barmouth. Wales

The size of the transport meant the route for this project was a total of 240 miles (390 km), beginning in Barmouth and moving through Llanuwchllyn, Corwen, Oswestry, Shrewsbury, Telford, Wolverhampton, Gloucester and Newport before being delivered in Cardiff two days later. The replacement units then completed the same 240 mile, tw-day route back to Barmouth.

The transport route out of Barmouth, with the removed units, allowed the vehicles to travel in the correct direction of the one way system. When the replacement train units were transported, however, Allelys co-ordinated with the police to temporarily close the high street to enable the vehicles to travel against the one way system.

“This was a challenging project for the team to work on due to the complex route to Barmouth and the intricate roads through the seaside town,” explained Jamie Woodland, Allelys assistant transport manager. “However, it was also interesting for the residents to witness their local rail stock being transported through their streets using this method of transportation.”