3 Way Tipping Road/Rail Trailer

The Chieftain 3-Way Tipping Road Rail Trailer is a specialist transport and material-handling solution engineered to operate both on the road and on the railway. Combining commercial road running gear, hydraulically operated rail gear and a versatile three-way tipping body, it allows ballast and other bulk materials to be transported and discharged efficiently throughout rail construction, renewal and maintenance projects.

At the heart of the trailer is a 6-metre three-way tipping body capable of tipping to the rear, left or right. This provides significantly greater flexibility than a conventional rear-tip body, allowing material to be discharged to either side of the track or directly behind the trailer according to the requirements of the operation.

The tipping body is mounted through four locking ball joints and operated by a single hydraulic tipping cylinder, with the tipping ram powered directly from the towing vehicle. A fixed front headboard and manual swing-down side and rear doors are fitted as standard, providing straightforward access and controlled material discharge. Hydraulic side and rear doors are also available for operators requiring greater control from the hydraulic system.

The combination of road and rail capability with multi-directional tipping makes the trailer particularly well suited to ballast handling. The same trailer can transport ballast by road to the worksite before continuing onto the railway, allowing material to remain on a single unit throughout the operation and reducing the need for separate road and rail transport equipment.

For road operation, the trailer is equipped with 10-stud commercial axles, 310 x 190 brakes with automatic slack adjusters, parabolic spring suspension and adjustable torque arms. Air/hydraulic braking, full LED road lighting, mudguards and a choice of 50mm or 57.5mm towing eye provide a comprehensive road transport specification.

For rail operation, dedicated 8-stud full-beam rail axles are hydraulically raised and lowered using a control lever. Four 550mm diameter P1-profile steel rail wheels are fitted as standard, supported by dual-line air braking for both service and park functions. Parking-brake indicators at both ends provide clear brake-status visibility during rail operations.

The hydraulically height-adjustable drawbar allows the towing arrangement to be adapted between operating configurations, while a two-speed adjustable-height jacking leg assists with coupling, support and positioning.

The rail electrical system incorporates automatic directional LED lighting at the front and rear, an onboard battery and twin 12-volt solar panels, helping maintain the electrical supply during extended periods of rail operation. A dedicated control switch provides straightforward lighting operation.

Operator practicality is incorporated throughout the trailer, with a lockable stainless-steel toolbox with rubber-sealed door, recessed lashing rings within the side chimes and deck, sideguards and clearly positioned safety and operational transfers.

For customers requiring increased functionality, the trailer can be specified with hydraulic side and rear doors, with both door operation and tipping available through hydraulic control levers. Further options include road axles with air suspension, a removable headboard and 650mm diameter S1002-profile steel rail wheels.

Built for demanding road and rail environments, each trailer is shot-blasted before being finished in a durable two-pack primer and paint system, providing a high-quality finish and long-lasting resistance against corrosion.

Approved to RIS 1530 for UK rail operations and I-PLM-5001 for Ireland, the Chieftain 3-Way Tipping Road Rail Trailer brings together three important functions within one purpose-built machine: road transport, rail operation and controlled three-way material discharge.