Queensland Transport introduced new revised regulations for Road rail Vehicles in July 2011.
The new requirements relate to front under run protection and air bag deployment.
With an increasing number of new vehicles being fitted with SRS (air bags) concern was growing over vehicle safety and the impact on other road users when rail equipment is fitted “out the front”
Whilst it is only Queensland at this point who are requiring this, it will most probably become a nationwide requirement. Gibson Tru-Body is well placed to fulfil your Road Rail needs.
Since July we have been working in collaboration with Harsco Rail (one of the largest manufacturers of rail Equipment in the world) to come up with a solution to this latest issue.
Designs have been developed for several size vehicles to meet these new requirements.
The new design for up to 14 tonne vehicles has been completed and fully approved by Queensland Transport with the first units being delivered in October 2012. Another design for up to 3700kg vehicles is nearing completion and we anticipate obtaining Queensland Transport approval in early 2013.
Arguably, these new designs offer the highest safety to the operator and other road users than any other product on comparable vehicles in Australia.
Notably one of the larger Road Rail trucks, a 14 tonne, Isuzu FSR850 Long was custom designed and built to Queensland Rail specifications as a Weed Spray Vehicle. The unit has a 2000 litre fresh water tank and a second 2000 litre tank for herbicide. 
The body has a cabinet for storing the herbicide and other products, as well as access to the tanks. Filling is easily achieved from the ground to either tank. The
plumbing design ensures herbicide liquid cannot contaminate the fresh water.
No more valve levers to turn as all functions are activated by the flick of a switch via an Omron PLC – it couldn’t be simpler.
Hardi Australia supplied all the spray equipment including a 200 metre hose reel for spot spraying, a 50 metre fire fighting hose reel, both having remote control rewind. The spray system flow control is fully automated according to the speed of the vehicle and the number of nozzles being used. Spray nozzles are all at the rear with lift/swing up/swing back booms controlled from the cab by the two operators. The petrol pump is controlled from the cab along with the multiple spray system nozzles. Agitation and water transfer is also controlled from the cab. The two operators have independent remote wired consoles so they can hold then in their lap while travelling
An Omron PLC controller handles all the requirements with ease and minimum fuss. Night and day colour cameras also assist with rail equipment deployment as well as when reversing, making the drivers tasks much easier. This unit is a mammoth step up from the previous unit Queensland rail have had for many years. The driver also had input into the design requirements so he is confident the unit will meet all his needs for many years.
Gibson Tru-Body have been utilising PLC control systems for many years and are undoubtedly at the forefront with our control system features. Features available are Online GPS tracking, Data Logging, Automatic GSM dialler (SMS message to Supervisor), Vigilance System, Authorised Driver Only Access, Periodic Servicing Notification, Body Load Limiting, Conditional Speed Limiting, Strobe Light Bar with blown bulb sensing, Rail Travel Odometer recording, Rollover Detection. We are also introducing a customised touch screen display for the dash, programmed with switches and lights as required by customer specification.
Brian Gibson, Managing Director
Gibson Tru-Body
Gibson Tru-Body specialises in the manufacture of steel framed light commercial truck bodies and associated metal fabricated products to all motor truck dealers in Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
Our products and services include Tipping Bodies; Vans; Service Bodies & Specialised Bodies; 1 Tonne Trays & Medium Trays; Tailgate Loaders; Cranes; Accessories – Towbars, Ute Lids & Toolboxes; Road Rail; Trailers; Tru-Step Commuter; Roadside Maintenance & Mine Vehicles.
For Bookings and enquiries, please contact us on (07) 3881 0188 or via email [email protected].