Recently, the first domestic improved 200-tonne railway crane has passed the lifting acceptance at Shuohuang Railway Comprehensive Drill Base, marking a milestone in the enhancement of heavy-haul emergency support capability of Shuohuang Railway.
As a typical mountain railway, the western section of Shuohuang Railway links up bridges and tunnels, where terrain and geological structure are complex. With an elevation difference of 1,527 meters, a maximum limiting gradient of 12‰, and a minimum curve radius of 400 meters, these conditions present many uncertain factors for the safe railway transportation. In case of an accident on the mountain railway, it is difficult for large machinery to function, making rescue challenging. In response to such problems, Shuohuang Railway has introduced an improved 200-tonne railway crane featuring high degree of automation and better safety performance. Its unique lifting modes of full circle swinging and double circle swinging can make crane jib achieve lifting circle swinging at the range of ±30 degrees, while the counterweight remains level with the railway line, solving the problem of restricted working space in the tunnels and realizing the integrated lifting operation of heavy locomotives and heavy-haul vehicles. The crane is equipped with 170 sensors to conduct safety control for the motions of all mechanisms, improving the control safety performance and providing safer, more efficient and intelligent support for accident rescue. This crane can be used for bridge erection, loading and unloading of major goods or building components, installation of large equipment, and replacement of railway turnouts, bringing considerable economic and social benefits.
The successful lifting test and acceptance of the improved 200-tonne railway crane supports heavy-haul railway emergency response in terms of equipment and technology, improving heavy-haul railway emergency system, and ensuring safe and stable railway transportation.
