Specialist rail contractor Alan Blaylock Haulage Ltd. has purchased a bespoke tri-axle step-frame trailer from Andover Trailers, relying on the trailer’s durability to move road rail vehicles and other plant across the north of England seven days a week.

Alan Blaylock Tri-Axle Step-Frame

The business, based in Carlisle, operates a single tractor unit and trailer, with the Andover step frame bought to replace an older Nooteboom unit.

The SFCL 48 trailer, with rail lines on its upper and lower deck, allows Alan Blaylock Haulage to carry rail plant weighing up to 33 tonnes. It is fitted with hydraulic steady legs with large feet to provide maximum stability during loading and unloading, as well as BPW air suspension with raise/lower controls to make it easier for the driver to reach isolated sites.

Alan Blaylock, Managing Director of Alan Blaylock Haulage Ltd., says: “I first came across Andover when I was a driver for another company; I was really impressed with the quality and performance of the trailer so when it came time to purchase a custom-built trailer for myself, I knew they would be able to help me.

“90 per cent of our work is based around the railways, so the trailer not only needed the capacity to carry specialised loads, but the durability and manoeuvrability to reach sites across the rail network. The nature of this business means our delivery and collection points are not always located along surfaced roads, nor do they always have ample turning space.”

The trailer features a low deck height and a beavertail that provides approach angles that make it easier to load and unload machinery.

Blaylock adds: “The rail sector operates on razor thin deadlines; we need to use equipment that can be depended upon. We know that the Andover is strong enough to run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, should that be required.”

Worth more than £50,000, the trailer has been equipped with fold forward ramps which can reduce fuel consumption by up to 15 per cent.

The new trailer will operate with a powerful Scania R560 tractor unit and has been finished in matching red paint. It has also been supplied with yellow conspicuity markings and three pairs of LED flood lights that improve safety during night time operations.

Alan Blaylock Haulage Ltd. is currently operating to provide haulage services to Story Contracting, an approved Network Rail supplier.