EU: The lessor’s European arm used the wagon to deliver a consignment to a waste-to-energy plant during the trials.
A six-axle Sggmrss flat wagon has been fitted with an Abroll Container Transport System (ACTS), enabling intermodal operation. The technology is widely used in road transport for carrying containers to the DIN 30722 standard, which are common in the construction industry.
The ACTS installation on the wagon incorporates four rotating frames for container carriage. According to GATX, the wagon is designed to carry both 5.95 m ACTS-standard containers and 20 ft ACTS ISO hybrid containers.
The rotating frames allow horizontal loading and unloading between rail and road using the standard equipment fitted to heavy goods vehicles. Vertical loading and unloading using a crane or reach stacker is also possible. The containers can be used to carry light bulk commodities such as wood chips and waste.
GATX says that, following the trials, the rotating frames will be refined and optimised. A further series of tests will then be carried out to assess the full range of industrial applications.
Austria’s Boxmover has previously announced production of a wagon fitted with a rotating frame. The base model for that project is a four-axle flat wagon of 40 ft or 45 ft length, capable of carrying two containers. An articulated variant with four frames is also on offer.
