|
The British Are Coming... Again
FIRE POWER: A string of British tanks gives the Montreal waterfront the appearance of
a war zone.
Montreal - CPR recently transported about 1,500 wheeled and tracked military vehicles (tanks,
armored personnel carriers, jeeps) and 91 containers of equipment, to Suffield, Alberta, for the British Army's 3rd (United Kingdom) Division's Exercise Iron
Anvil '02.
The equipment arrived at the Port of Montreal on two commercial ships and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel and was trans-shipped onto railcars for the journey
to the Alberta training grounds. Five dedicated trains were used to transport the materiel on more than 300 railcars of various types.
"It was a massive undertaking that took the cooperation of many CPR groups, including mechanical, commercial, and operations," said Michael Dixon,
CPR account manager for machinery.
With that many vehicles coming into one location, careful planning and execution was needed to ensure the proper amount and type of railcars were available at
the Port of Montreal.
British Army personnel supervised the vessel discharge and railcar loading, with Captain Mick Majeed of the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS)
leading the Port Task Group. Thanks to our people in the Montreal Service Area, the move was carried out with military precision.
Largest Military Move
"The CPR mechanical group was responsible for inspecting every vehicle on every car," Michael said. "They accomplished their task very
effectively, under strict time constraints, all during an oppressive heat wave. The teamwork really paid off.
"It was the largest move the British have ever made for an exercise. In fact, it was one of the largest military moves in Canada since the Korean War.
From the perspective of the British Army, they couldn't have been more pleased with the service."
The commercial team has worked hard to secure and keep this business and was pleased with the flawless execution.
"Thanks to all the departments involved in making this annual excercise a success," said Robert Emerson, CPR senior account manager. "The
teamwork and dedication shown by all was an important factor in bringing it together, and we earned the confidence of the British
Army."
OOPS: One of the vehicles derailed while loading, but was soon secured with the help
of a big hook.
|
