MARKLIN 18820 STRABENSCHWERLASTFAHRZEUG SCHEUERLE TYP LS 250

Large transformers for power plants and substations are designed for transport with special heavy duty railroad cars and trucks. Gooseneck support brackets are mounted on both sides of the transformer and are used to set these monsters on the transport framework. The process of moving the transformer for further transport by truck is a particularly delicate act. There are special transfer locations with bases having the appropriate load handling capacity for this operation. Hydraulic presses lift the load on one side, and then the switch is made from the railroad car to the truck or vice versa. After that the load is lowered again with the gooseneck / "Schnabel" support brackets. This procedure is repeated for the other side. The heavy-duty depressed floor trailers no longer have anything in common with the earlier road rollers. The former are self-propelled high-tech platforms, in this case with 52 swing axles and 208 tires. Each swing axle can be turned and lowered individually by hydraulics. This means that every platform can be driven straight, on curves, diagonally, sideways or in circles and move and stop within centimeters. The total weight including the tare weight reaches 1,344 metric tons. The transformer is set on its base at the destination. The gooseneck support brackets are removed and transported back. This special type of combined transport is also a challenge on a model railroad layout. The transport by rail as well as by road must be planned in detail and must be monitored. The transfer process is an attractive theme involving a great deal of model technology.

Also I show how to remove the transformer frame from the trix marklin rail wagon without damageing the paint.