The Shipping Monster, a provider of logistics and transportation to touring exhibitions, attractions and the entertainment industry, recently moved a much-loved train ride from the Greater Vancouver Zoo to the Western Train Co. in Temecula, California, so that a new Hydrostatic Diesel drive system could be added, as well as a fresh coat of paint.
For this endeavour, the firm organised the border crossing, exporting the ride from Canada to the US, and also used specialist equipment, a Roll Tite, to transport the refurbished train.
Choosing the right equipment
The roll-tite trailer, also known as the Conestoga trailer, is a flatbed trailer with a retractable rack and curtain system set-up. The entire rack can be pulled back and forth to load freight with a forklift and then provide protection to the cargo once it is secured and ready to ship.
This was the ideal choice for The Shipping Monster’s precious train cargo, as it allowed for fast and easy tarping in under three minutes, giving the ride excellent protection from the range of weather conditions it faced on the journey, from Vancouver snow to California rain. The roll-lite can be loaded like a flatbed from either side, with a forklift or a crane. Crucially, the tarps never touched the cargo itself, meaning that the integrity of the train was maintained during the move.
Once the refurbishment work was complete, the team at The Shipping Monster brought the ride back to the Zoo, where it will continue to delight hundreds of visitors a day.
The Western Train Company says: “Thanks to The Shipping Monster, Greater Vancouver Zoo’s C.P. Huntington Train Ride is back home from the factory and ready for action!”
Robert Aspinall, CEO and founder of The Shipping Monster, adds: “We were thrilled that our Canadian friends, the Vancouver Zoo, entrusted us to move their popular ride so that she may be refurbished and brought back better than ever! We loved working out the custom Roll-tite solution for this attraction to shield her from the elements on the journey.”
Earlier this year, Aspinall spoke to blooloop about some of the trends and challenges in the global shipping industry, including sustainability and the importance of cost-effectiveness. He also talked about The Shipping Monster’s worldwide logistics networks and some of the new markets that the firm is entering.
Aspinall has recently led panels on the topic of sustainability at both the Museums + Heritage Show in London, UK and the AAM Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. In May, the company’s new life-size Shipping Monster mascot also made his debut at SEA Expo 2023.
