0:00:03 > 0:00:06Ainscough is Britain's biggest mobile crane hire company.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11At dawn every day, their cranes crisscross the country.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Let's go for it.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15Apart from my family, this is the second love of my life.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18It's the family and then cranes.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20- They lift everything. - Nice and steady.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25From wind turbines to priceless artworks.
0:00:25 > 0:00:26I'm feeling a little nervous.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Keep going!
0:00:28 > 0:00:30- What if it slides out?- It won't.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32It's not going to slide out.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Their life's in our hands up there. One wrong move from us
0:00:35 > 0:00:37and it's game over for them.
0:00:37 > 0:00:3924 hours a day...
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Hold it.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43You just have to get it right cos if you don't,
0:00:43 > 0:00:45you could pull the crane over.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47It's got to go.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52..seven days a week...
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Don't pull it, Joe!
0:00:55 > 0:00:56You wouldn't get me up there.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59..they keep Britain lifting.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Yep, happy on the hoist.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Not many people can say they've had the opportunity to work with a ship like that.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08We're a small cog in a big machine,
0:01:08 > 0:01:12which helps make this country...better.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15But facing increased competition
0:01:15 > 0:01:18and having invested millions in the latest cranes,
0:01:18 > 0:01:20the company is at a crossroads.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22If we don't deliver,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25it's a bit like football management. We have conversations
0:01:25 > 0:01:27about whether you get to stay for next season.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Do I have sleepless nights thinking about that? Yes, I do.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Preston HQ.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44I'm in the centre here, yeah.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Home to the company's Heavy Crane Division
0:01:46 > 0:01:50and some of the biggest machines in the country.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51Still in the centre.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Yeah, still good.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55The cranes range from 500
0:01:55 > 0:01:59to 1,000 tonnes.
0:01:59 > 0:02:00It's getting warmed up.
0:02:00 > 0:02:07And the drivers are amongst the most experienced in the crane world.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10The bigger the crane, the more in demand the individuals are.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13They're using bits of kit, machinery, that weigh
0:02:13 > 0:02:16several tonnes. They're operating gear that's worth
0:02:16 > 0:02:17hundreds of thousands of pounds.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20It's dangerous and complex
0:02:20 > 0:02:22and we have complete faith in our guys.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25We go wide on this one, mate, so we want to take that lane up.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28I'll take the outside lane
0:02:28 > 0:02:33- and go round to the right. - 'Yeah, no worries.'
0:02:33 > 0:02:36John's been a crane driver for 26 years
0:02:36 > 0:02:39and today he's taking his traffic-stopping 500-tonner
0:02:39 > 0:02:41to Dorset.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43There's one already, look.
0:02:43 > 0:02:44Police.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Generally, they'll leave you alone.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48He's letting us go, look.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Watch while they pull us now out the road.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55HE LAUGHS
0:02:55 > 0:02:57Normally,
0:02:57 > 0:03:02we're not allowed to go during rush hour or peak times.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06No-one wants to be stuck behind a vehicle doing 30 miles an hour.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Especially if you're on a long A-road
0:03:09 > 0:03:12and there's nowhere to pull in and when you do pull in,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14you get the hand signals and people tooting the horn
0:03:14 > 0:03:17in frustration, I suppose.
0:03:17 > 0:03:18What can you do?
0:03:21 > 0:03:23John and the team are heading to Poole harbour,
0:03:23 > 0:03:27home to the UK's largest luxury yacht maker.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Millionaire's playground, you can say that.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33There's some wealth where we're going today.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38I think I'll go to the shop next door and get myself a little rubber dinghy(!) That's all I can afford.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42They need to lift a fibreglass yacht hull free from its mould
0:03:42 > 0:03:46and transport it across the boat yard to be fitted out.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49The front wheels got to be on the white line, mate.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56We're going to pick it up and completely turn it round
0:03:56 > 0:03:58180 degrees in that position,
0:03:58 > 0:04:05that will allow us to slew around and put the bow of the boat into the dry dock.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08The last thing we want to do is rip it out and damage it.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10It's expense, isn't it?
0:04:13 > 0:04:17You're talking about £5-£6 million-pound boats or even more.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21As you can see on the wagon, we have four steel mats.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23They need to go on the ground first.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25Plenty room here, Matt.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Once they're on the ground, we'll extend the legs
0:04:28 > 0:04:31onto the mats and stabilise the crane.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34A busy schedule means most of the heavies team eat
0:04:34 > 0:04:36on the go.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39I'm starting my healthy diet.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40Unlike him over there.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42Look at that - dancer!
0:04:44 > 0:04:45Scrambled egg.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49But when it comes to food,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52crane driver John likes to think ahead.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56Chicken tonight, we're prepping for dinner.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00Used to be stop off at greasy spoons, that, this and the other,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02as you can tell,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04but now it's so easy to cook.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10What's he up to? It's all right, not bad.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12It's a bit hot and fiery
0:05:12 > 0:05:15but it's not bad because he cooks it and we just eat it,
0:05:15 > 0:05:20so it don't cost us nothing, so it's not often you get something for nothing off John.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Away for weeks on end,
0:05:22 > 0:05:27the crane gang's vans are often where they sleep as well as where they cook.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35It's a good job but you are sacrificing quite a bit, really.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39You do miss being at home, and your own bed? Can't beat it, can you?
0:05:39 > 0:05:42But when you're working away,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45you've got to do the best you can do.
0:05:47 > 0:05:48I don't mind being away.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51He's not as good a cook as me wife but he's getting there.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55If he could sort his presentation out, it would be all right.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56THEY LAUGH
0:05:59 > 0:06:03The fibreglass yacht hull is moved into position in its mould.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06I'm just looking at that up there.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10It's touching the roof.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Tight fit, wasn't it?
0:06:15 > 0:06:16Very tight.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21On mobile cranes, the driver sits in a cab close to the ground.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26From here they extend and control the telescopic boom.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28INDISTINCT RADIO
0:06:28 > 0:06:32John has to lift the hull round to the opposite side of the wharf
0:06:32 > 0:06:36to land it in an empty dry dock.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Start bringing her down, mate, please.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41He'll be relying on his rigging team
0:06:41 > 0:06:43to secure the yacht to the crane
0:06:43 > 0:06:46and help guide him through the lift.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50We're driving the crane by radio.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52He's just pulling levers.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54'OK, hold it there.'
0:06:54 > 0:06:56When you're a crane driver,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59you have to trust the bloke on the end of the radio
0:06:59 > 0:07:01or the bloke that's banking you.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04If you don't, we're all in trouble.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17150 miles away,
0:07:17 > 0:07:22two freight wagons have derailed on a busy railway line near Dartford.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24TRAIN WHISTLES
0:07:30 > 0:07:33The driver has escaped unhurt
0:07:34 > 0:07:38but one of the lines is blocked and causing serious delays.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Experienced riggers Dave and Lea
0:07:43 > 0:07:45are preparing to head to site and remove the wreckage.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49We're always on call.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Got the phones with us so soon as we get a phone call, we'll go out.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56In the past we've been called up one or two o'clock in the morning -
0:07:56 > 0:07:59there's been an accident on lorries or roads and things
0:07:59 > 0:08:02so we'll go out
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- and do recovery work and stuff like that.- It's a good challenge. More overtime.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09It's unpredictable the jobs you get called out to.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11You go there and don't know what to expect
0:08:11 > 0:08:13and you have to put your heads together
0:08:13 > 0:08:15and get it sorted out, do the job,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17so it's more interesting
0:08:17 > 0:08:20than your day-to-day site work.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Back at the crash site,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25a specialist crane has been brought in for the lift
0:08:25 > 0:08:28But setting it up is a difficult job.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30The ground's terrible.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33You wouldn't really want to set a crane up on this.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37You can see it's just grass
0:08:37 > 0:08:39and earth,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42and you obviously have the rail track on the other side of that
0:08:42 > 0:08:45mound over there, so hence why we have a big crane in
0:08:45 > 0:08:47to be able to reach the distance to do the rate at distance.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51Nice and steady up, now.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55It's the largest telescopic crane in the world.
0:08:55 > 0:08:581,200-tonne telescopic crane.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01It's quite a beast, takes some building.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03It'll take us two days to build this rig.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Then hopefully Saturday night, we'll be lifting.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08We've come from Teesside, near Middlesbrough,
0:09:08 > 0:09:10and we were mobilised within 12 hours
0:09:10 > 0:09:13to get down here and do the job. Took us about seven hours
0:09:13 > 0:09:15to get here with the cranes -
0:09:15 > 0:09:17we only travel at 35 miles an hour.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20The problem is when you come into London,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22wherever we go with the machine, we have to be routed around the country
0:09:22 > 0:09:25and contact the local constabularies and councils
0:09:25 > 0:09:29It's usually anywhere between three and five days' notice for a movement order.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32But with a derailment and it being an emergency,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35we managed to get one within 12 hours, which is very rare.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37A little bit faster, Sam.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Second frame's coming up now.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47Keep her nice and steady like that.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49While the crane's rigged,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53the crashed wagons need to be emptied of their 80-tonne load.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59Inside these carts that we're lifting,
0:09:59 > 0:10:00moist cement.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03With the cement that's in the cart,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06it would be too heavy for the crane to lift out of that radius.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09So they're using that pump
0:10:09 > 0:10:11to go inside the carts that have tipped over
0:10:11 > 0:10:16and suck out the cement to make it lighter. That's what they're doing.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21Once emptied, the team will work through the night
0:10:21 > 0:10:23to lift the wreckage clear of the tracks.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36'..30 tonne, just hold your radius, please.'
0:10:36 > 0:10:37Down at Poole...
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Just let me know when you're at 30 tonne.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43..the crane gang need to break the fibreglass hull free of its mould.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Give me another five, please.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Lifting too hard or too quickly
0:10:48 > 0:10:52could cause serious damage to the multi-million pound yacht.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56'I think she's starting to move.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04'Still moving.'
0:11:07 > 0:11:10That's it starting to break out of the mould, basically.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19'Now we're there, John.'
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Pull that bow round a bit, please.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28It's starting to slew round.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30With the hull set free,
0:11:30 > 0:11:34John and the team have to turn it 180 degrees through the air
0:11:34 > 0:11:36to land it in the dry dock.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49'Slew round a bit, please.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53'Start jibbing in.'
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Keep coming down.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02'OK, John, hold it there.'
0:12:02 > 0:12:07Just hold it like that and bring him in.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09I'll bring him in and lower him off.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12'Jib back and lower off, mate.'
0:12:12 > 0:12:14A little touch of smooth at the same time.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Nice and easy.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19OK, you're in line now.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24OK, that's enough. Hold it there, fellas.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27'Up a bit more, mate. You've got it loose.'
0:12:27 > 0:12:30'Hold it there, don't stop.'
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Job done.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34I like it when it's sat on there.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35HE LAUGHS
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Good job, well done!
0:12:37 > 0:12:40John's a good driver but don't tell him, cos his head will get bigger
0:12:40 > 0:12:43and he won't be able to get out the cab.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Oh, yeah(?) You reckon(?)
0:12:45 > 0:12:51It's been Wayne's first experience of working with the heavies gang.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Normally he works on smaller cranes for less money.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56I'm a 200-tonne driver.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59But my crane's off the road being repaired.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02I'd rather be up there in the warm pulling levers
0:13:02 > 0:13:06than here lifting heavy shackles about.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Keen to move up in the crane world,
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Wayne's sending an e-mail to heavies'
0:13:11 > 0:13:13operation manager, Jim.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15I can't put "Dear Jim", can I?
0:13:15 > 0:13:16You're supposed to put "Dear Jim".
0:13:16 > 0:13:18He's only typed "Jim".
0:13:18 > 0:13:20I'll never get a job with you lot.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- "Dear Jim..." - What have you put so far?
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Let's have a look. "Dear Jim"!
0:13:24 > 0:13:26HE LAUGHS
0:13:26 > 0:13:28I shouldn't have put that, should I?
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Just scrub "Dear" out.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- God...like "Jim"?- Jim.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35THEY LAUGH
0:13:39 > 0:13:42"Just dropping you an e-mail to say I'm interested in coming to
0:13:42 > 0:13:44"heavy cranes..." No?
0:13:44 > 0:13:48"I'm just dropping you an e-mail to CONFIRM my interest in heavy cranes."
0:13:48 > 0:13:50See how hard it is?
0:13:50 > 0:13:52It's gone. The moment.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54It's gone.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59I have a wife and two kids to feed so money's important.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Especially these days, innit?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Yeah, so...
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Hopefully a bit more money , it'd be nice.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08There's no time to rest for the team.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13Their next job has already come through.
0:14:13 > 0:14:14Yeah, no problem.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18We're going to Swansea.
0:14:18 > 0:14:19We leave first light in the morning.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21Get there as soon as.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Look at them.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25The family chicken.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Smells good, that does.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29What's up, Wayne?
0:14:29 > 0:14:33I told him his presentation's not the best.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- It's nice.- Not bad, is it?
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Gorgeous.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Not bad for roadkill, is it?
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Life on the road, eh?
0:14:46 > 0:14:48HORN BLARES
0:14:48 > 0:14:50That was a loud one!
0:14:50 > 0:14:51THEY LAUGH
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Bauma Trade Fair, Munich.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11The largest construction industry expo in the world.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16It's a Mecca for crane enthusiasts around the globe...
0:15:21 > 0:15:23I've been really looking forward to this.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28..including Ainscough heavy crane driver Tristam.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30This is my holiday.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35Some people go to Disneyland and some people go to Devon.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36I go to Bauma.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40The Mrs won't be happy now
0:15:40 > 0:15:42because I won't want to go on holiday anywhere else now.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Definitely some kit here, isn't there?
0:15:52 > 0:15:55MUSIC: "I've Got The Power" by Snap
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Very nice.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Tristam has spotted the crawler crane of his dreams.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- Hey, Tristam.- Harry!
0:16:16 > 0:16:17- Nice to meet you.- You all right?
0:16:17 > 0:16:20That, I want to get my hands on.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- That is what I want to get my hands on.- I've left a key for you.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26- Hey!- Would you like to see the cab?
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Definitely. Good lad, brilliant.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40This is beautiful.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- Have you driven this?- Yes.- You have?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45I absolutely love it.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48I think I'll try to persuade the directors
0:16:48 > 0:16:50that they need to buy one.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Would you mind taking a photograph for me?
0:16:54 > 0:16:55Brilliant.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00There will be a lot of jealous people in the UK right now.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07The company's commercial director, Gareth,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09is also attending.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13If you like your cranes,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16if you like your cranes, this is the Liebherr stand.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19How you doing, mate, all right?
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- Hello, Gareth, you all right? - Good to see you.- You, too, mate.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24And he's taking time out from business meetings
0:17:24 > 0:17:26to meet up with Tristam...
0:17:26 > 0:17:29I've enjoyed it, it's been good fun.
0:17:29 > 0:17:30Beautiful.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32..who wants to push the drivers' case.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34It's good for me to meet you out here
0:17:34 > 0:17:37cos we don't really get to talk to the managers.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41To be honest, the managers aren't really that interested anyway.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42They're not worried about us.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44I don't think that's true.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I understand why you say it but I don't think that's true.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49We feel there is no personal touch any more with the company.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51In what way?
0:17:51 > 0:17:53- All the managers get to go home every night.- Yeah, yeah.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- Or most nights.- I know what you mean.
0:17:55 > 0:17:5799% of the time,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59they lock up at five or six o'clock.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02We're still stuck out on site at midnight.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05If you finish at midnight, the last thing you want to do is find somewhere.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08I think I've had to sleep in my car about nine times.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11That's no way to live.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- OK.- You can see where we're coming from
0:18:14 > 0:18:16No operator should be sleeping in the car.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18No, I completely understand.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22We have been stuck a few times. Even though we're crawler crane drivers,
0:18:22 > 0:18:23we've still got standards.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Do you know what WOULD be nice?
0:18:25 > 0:18:28If some of the higher management got their hands dirty
0:18:28 > 0:18:30and come out and saw exactly what we do.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- Yourself as well, I think you should come out...- I'll come out.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36I'll come out.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39So...
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- it's been an absolute pleasure. - And for me. Good to see you. - See you later, Gareth.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46He's open.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48He's as honest as he can be,
0:18:48 > 0:18:50he's a good guy.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54And he knows his stuff, so hopefully he will
0:18:54 > 0:18:56come up trumps, basically.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07I have no issue talking to the crane drivers
0:19:07 > 0:19:08about any issues they've got.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10In Tristam's case, it's passionate.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Passionate people will always be vocal.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16You have to take on board the comments
0:19:16 > 0:19:20and see if it resonates across the business
0:19:20 > 0:19:22and if it's something that needs to be addressed or not.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34Midnight, near Dartford.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39OK, mate.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Leave me wine gums alone.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Riggers Dave and Lea have arrived at the site of the rail crash.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46You having coffee?
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- Yeah, you want coffee?- No, no.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52It's yet another Saturday night away from home.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55Over the years you get called up to go away anywhere at any time.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57I think you just adjust to it.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00It's harder the older you get.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Ain't no spring chickens now, are we?
0:20:03 > 0:20:06That's the way it is. That's crane hire.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- HE LAUGHS - And that's it.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Most of the women are pretty understanding.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14They know we can be called away at any time
0:20:14 > 0:20:16or stay a night out, so...
0:20:16 > 0:20:19they're pretty good, the wives, really.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22My wife, anyway, wants me to stay away all the time.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Right, gentlemen, now it's coming track-side,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29can you go round to my van, please?
0:20:29 > 0:20:311am.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33The gang have possession of the tracks
0:20:33 > 0:20:39and just six hours to lift the two crashed freight wagons.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42We'll be walking down to the derailment site.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45I do not want you to step outside this track rail
0:20:45 > 0:20:48because we're right next to a live line.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Any questions?
0:20:50 > 0:20:54If you do step outside the railway, you'll be shouted out by me or Joe
0:20:54 > 0:20:55to get back in.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57If you keep stepping outside the rail,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59we'll take you off site.
0:20:59 > 0:21:00Any questions?
0:21:00 > 0:21:02No.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03OK, gentlemen,
0:21:03 > 0:21:05follow Joe, please.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16'I might need to rope this side first.'
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Chain one side and weight the other.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Then pull it over.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Before supervising the lift,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Dave and Lea have to securely attach the chains
0:21:26 > 0:21:28to the precariously balanced wagons.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Ready?
0:21:33 > 0:21:34Where's your arm?
0:21:34 > 0:21:36INDISTINCT
0:21:36 > 0:21:37Where your wheel is.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45All right, yeah?
0:21:45 > 0:21:46INDISTINCT
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Basically, we're putting wires
0:21:53 > 0:21:56down either side of the container,
0:21:56 > 0:21:58stitch them up underneath
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and we cradle it underneath, pick it out
0:22:01 > 0:22:04and hopefully it'll come up upright
0:22:04 > 0:22:06and they want to get it out.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08OK, Mark, start pinching up for me.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11As soon as this gets nearly tight, Dave, get out the way.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Watch it when it comes down.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Are you all right, Jack?
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Stay this side.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Don't forget to account for the roll on it, as well.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30as it starts coming out, it'll start rolling up.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33'That's coming up to 20 now, like.'
0:22:33 > 0:22:35I'll get there.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37'OK, mate.'
0:22:39 > 0:22:41OK, mate, just starting to lift now.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44'You've got that now, Mark.'
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Pinch it up, pinch it up.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Keep going, keep going.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55That's it, away you go.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01The carriage is carried 70 metres away from the track
0:23:01 > 0:23:03to a safe landing area.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19THUMPING
0:23:19 > 0:23:20OK, thank you.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24'Thanks, mate.'
0:23:24 > 0:23:25One down.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28It's 4am.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32The remaining wagon is on its side.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37Leaving even less room to thread the chains.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- Is that enough?- No, you're only about a foot-inch.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49Right, hold it there.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Nice and easy!
0:24:07 > 0:24:08A bit harder.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Come on.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13All right, Shag?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16OK, Mark, stop pinching up there for us.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17Start pinching up.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19The chains are safely secured
0:24:19 > 0:24:24but the position of the wagon means it's dangerous to lift.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27It's a lot further over, leaning over on its side.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29So a little bit more care.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32The other one was virtually upright.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35It didn't matter but we knew what it was going to do.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36This one's a bit more tricky.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39We don't really know what it's going to do.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42There's a sleeper here on that wheel.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44I think we need to get that out, Shag,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47because that's stopping us from pivoting.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48Can you undermine it, Shag?
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Try that.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13OK, Mark, start pinching up for us again, buddy.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20It's the most nerve-racking moment of all for crane driver Mark.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24It's difficult
0:25:24 > 0:25:27to get it just exactly right
0:25:27 > 0:25:30because you never know what the chains are going to do.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33The guys are obviously well experienced
0:25:33 > 0:25:36but you've just got to get it right, cos if you don't,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38suddenly you lose the weight, you have nothing
0:25:38 > 0:25:40and then you have 25 tonnes dropping...
0:25:42 > 0:25:45which can sometimes double/quadruple the weight
0:25:45 > 0:25:47in gravity when it drops that quickly.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Which can then shock the crane, pull the crane,
0:25:50 > 0:25:51can damage it.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55If it was hard enough, it could pull the crane over.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57It's commonly known as a shock load.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58BANG
0:26:02 > 0:26:05The wagon's off the ground.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08'Just a little flick right. Give us a little flick right.'
0:26:08 > 0:26:11But Dave and Lea need to turn it so it's upright.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Down you go on the hoist.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19Down you go.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22The plan is to roll one side of it onto railway sleepers
0:26:22 > 0:26:25to try and shift its position.
0:26:25 > 0:26:26Down you go.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29'..Nice and easy for me, Mark.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31'Keep your eye on the weight for me, buddy.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35'You might get a bit of juddering where the chains are slipping round, hopefully,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38'that's what we want. So, just to warn ya,'
0:26:42 > 0:26:44THUMPING
0:26:44 > 0:26:46'OK, we lost half the weight there, bud.'
0:26:46 > 0:26:49'Superb, Mark,
0:26:49 > 0:26:53'it's going exactly how we want it to go.'
0:26:53 > 0:26:56That's it, buddy, it's all yours, you've got that. Up you go, Mark.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Chip it down for me.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Down you come. Down you go.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27The guys are trying to turn the carriage onto its wheels now.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Got to be careful.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Trying to get it to go down nicely without shocking the crane.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Hopefully, it won't give us a shake.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Lost half the weight there, mate.
0:27:55 > 0:27:56Hold it.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59It's got to go.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Go on, give us some help.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Move round to your left a bit.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Move left a tad if you can.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17Come on, get over!
0:28:27 > 0:28:29Well done! Excellent!
0:28:32 > 0:28:33Beautiful!
0:28:37 > 0:28:40"Stop. Await instructions."
0:28:46 > 0:28:50It's nice to work with people who know what they're doing.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52It was going to be a difficult lift
0:28:52 > 0:28:56and they've made it look easy, which is good.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04The Network Rail guy
0:29:04 > 0:29:06says, "Thanks, lads, great job."
0:29:06 > 0:29:07Everything all safe -
0:29:07 > 0:29:10it gives you a sense of achievement at the end of the day.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13There's no book to tell you how to do it.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15You have guidelines,
0:29:15 > 0:29:17but when you're in the field and you have to do it,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19it's a different story.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23You get your heads together and sort it out
0:29:23 > 0:29:25and it comes off.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Brilliant, great stuff.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30I was pleased with how it went, the lads worked well.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Couldn't ask for no more.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34Five to six.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38It's home time.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39- Well done.- Cheers, mate.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42See you later, mate, thanks for coming.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45See you soon, mate.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Dee-dee-dee-dee-dee!
0:30:02 > 0:30:04At heavy cranes HQ in Preston,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10two of the company's largest cranes are heading to Scotland
0:30:12 > 0:30:15for their biggest lift of the year.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19Altogether, there's probably 1,200 tonnes of equipment
0:30:19 > 0:30:22being delivered over the next two to three days
0:30:22 > 0:30:24for those cranes for the weekend.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27We have 20 loads going up for one of the cranes,
0:30:27 > 0:30:29which is based in Leyland at the moment,
0:30:29 > 0:30:31and we have 17 loads
0:30:31 > 0:30:34on the Doncaster crane heading for the same job site.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36So in total we have 37 wagons
0:30:36 > 0:30:39heading up to that job site.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42When these cranes start moving it's a massive operation.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45All the associated vehicles and operations
0:30:45 > 0:30:48that go on behind the scenes are quite in-depth.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50We're the people that make it all happen.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58The team are travelling to Inchgreen Docks
0:30:58 > 0:31:03where a deep-sea carousel needs lifting onto a barge.
0:31:03 > 0:31:08This gigantic bobbin weighs the equivalent of 20 trucks
0:31:08 > 0:31:13and will be used to lay 80 kilometres of cable under the ocean.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18While the mobile crane drives up,
0:31:18 > 0:31:20the 600-tonne crawler crane's
0:31:20 > 0:31:23transported in parts.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25And driver Tristam is following by car.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27The office have got a lot on their plate
0:31:27 > 0:31:29on the logistic side of things.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32There's two 600s.
0:31:32 > 0:31:33There's my CC 2,800,
0:31:33 > 0:31:36the flagship,
0:31:36 > 0:31:38and then the TC 2,800.
0:31:39 > 0:31:40Do you like being in Scotland?
0:31:40 > 0:31:42No.
0:31:42 > 0:31:43Not one bit.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46It's always wet, windy
0:31:46 > 0:31:48and cold.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50I think I've come up to Glasgow once
0:31:50 > 0:31:52and it was sunny
0:31:52 > 0:31:55and everyone seemed to stay indoors cos I don't think
0:31:55 > 0:31:57they were used to it, they were a bit frightened
0:31:57 > 0:32:00of the big ball of flame in the sky.
0:32:00 > 0:32:05I'll be glad once we get the hell out of here.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08It's like going behind enemy lines
0:32:08 > 0:32:11when you go past the Welcome to Scotland sign.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16With such a heavy and difficult load,
0:32:16 > 0:32:19Tristam and the gang will spend the next three days
0:32:19 > 0:32:23living and working away from home to complete the lift.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46The company have taken delivery of a new state-of-the-art crane.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48I get first spin.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49HE LAUGHS
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Drivers John and Mark have been promoted to operate it
0:32:55 > 0:32:59and they're getting used to their new toy.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01It's a new machine, new technology.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Apparently it's very user-friendly.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07So let's hope it IS friendly.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10Just keep going till it stops.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15If that's not at the right angle, it brings up an error in the system.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24This is going to be a nightmare, innit?
0:33:24 > 0:33:26It's a bit finicky.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29There's a lot of bits and pieces.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31BEEPING
0:33:31 > 0:33:32Oh, no!
0:33:32 > 0:33:36Only been here five minutes, it's broken.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Too many buttons at the minute.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41BEEPING CONTINUES
0:33:41 > 0:33:46John and Mark's promotion has left a vacancy for a new driver in heavies.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53Today, manager Jim is holding
0:33:53 > 0:33:57interviews for a position on a 500-tonne crane.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00It's a full-time job.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03The only downside is, when you're based in Leyland, you don't
0:34:03 > 0:34:05get lodge because you're based here.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07I'm a fully-qualified crane driver, as you can see.
0:34:07 > 0:34:12The guys who come to heavy cranes predominantly want the larger money.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15Talking 70 to 80 grand, some of them can make.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17But they are working a lot more hours
0:34:17 > 0:34:19and they're away from home quite a lot,
0:34:19 > 0:34:21so they are entitled to get that amount of money.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Any problems you being away from home?
0:34:23 > 0:34:25The guys can go away from home for weeks on end.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28I can imagine, yeah. It won't be a problem.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33After his earlier e-mail, Wayne's up for the job.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36He wants promotion from driving a smaller crane.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39A little bit nervous but all right.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41I've never had a job interview before,
0:34:41 > 0:34:43never needed to.
0:34:43 > 0:34:44This will be a first for me.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49It's down to the money, innit?
0:34:49 > 0:34:53The more money, I can pay off... Everyone has debts, obviously.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56The more money I get, I can pay them debts off
0:34:56 > 0:34:58and live a bit more comfortable.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01- Hi, Wayne, how are we doing? - All right. Not bad.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04Come in and we'll have a wee look in the office.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06- Have a wee seat there, Wayne.- Thank you.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Are you OK?
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Give us a brief history of yourself. I know you worked for Beckton depot.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18Yeah, I was an advanced operator.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Then I give that job up and I've been on a 200 since then.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26You live down in the London area, don't you?
0:35:26 > 0:35:28No, I live in Dungeness,
0:35:28 > 0:35:30so I'm away from home quite a bit.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Good.
0:35:32 > 0:35:33Married?
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Er, no, I've got a partner. I've been with her
0:35:37 > 0:35:40nearly 14 years now and two kids.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43It's always been the same, I've always worked away.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45She's OK with that.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47As long as I get home now and again.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49We're looking for a spare operator.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51The spare operator's based in Leyland.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55The downside is you don't get lodge and accommodation.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57That you have to find.
0:35:57 > 0:35:58Any questions on that?
0:35:58 > 0:36:00Well, er...
0:36:00 > 0:36:05I have a place to stay but is there anywhere I can plug into?
0:36:05 > 0:36:07I'm 300 miles away from home, obviously.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Have you got a caravan?
0:36:09 > 0:36:11It's a big car.
0:36:11 > 0:36:12- A big van?- Chrysler.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14With a bed in it.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Put a lead through into it, there is facilities for that.
0:36:17 > 0:36:22Any more questions or anything you can think of?
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- No.- I'll give you a call Thursday and let you know either way.
0:36:25 > 0:36:26Thanks for coming up anyway.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28- Thanks a lot, Jim. - You take care.- Cheers.
0:36:32 > 0:36:33See you later.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38A bit nerve-racking but it seemed all right.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41I think I have a good chance
0:36:41 > 0:36:43but Thursday night, we'll wait and see.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50At Inchgreen Dock near Glasgow,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53it's lift day for Tristam and the gang.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Got the brew on already?!
0:36:56 > 0:36:59I love you!
0:36:59 > 0:37:03These might fit me now I've been on a diet and I've lost, like, 20 stone.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08The two cranes and 30 support vehicles
0:37:08 > 0:37:11have descended onto site...
0:37:11 > 0:37:13We all have to get on that one, Col.
0:37:13 > 0:37:19..and have started setting up the lift of the deep-sea carousel.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23Once ready, they'll have just two hours to complete the job.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27It's definitely a challenging lift.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32We have a time window to get on that barge.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34The critical bit is the tide.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37We have to wait for the barge to go down on low tide
0:37:37 > 0:37:40and then we've got to get over it
0:37:40 > 0:37:42as it's coming up to high tide.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46Touch wood, nothing will go wrong.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50Lifting the carousel isn't the only challenge for Tristam.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55he also has to share the stage with another heavy crane.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57The flagship sign
0:37:57 > 0:37:59is the ongoing joke
0:37:59 > 0:38:01between me and the TC crew
0:38:01 > 0:38:04that this is the flagship, which it is, it'll always be
0:38:04 > 0:38:06the flagship.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Technically, you can outlift me,
0:38:09 > 0:38:14but you have to have a bit of friendly banter and rivalry.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15HE LAUGHS
0:38:15 > 0:38:19You leave that where that is!
0:38:19 > 0:38:22He writes it everywhere and then believes it himself.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27It's an unfortunate thing he's got going.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30My crane can lift a hell of a lot more than his.
0:38:30 > 0:38:31HE LAUGHS
0:38:36 > 0:38:39In charge of the lift, and of directing both cranes,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42will be lift supervisor Bernie.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45The total weight of the load
0:38:45 > 0:38:47is 275 tonnes plus equipment.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49It's been calculated that each crane
0:38:49 > 0:38:52will have 136 tonnes.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55I'll bank the crane but there'll be the radio as well
0:38:55 > 0:38:58and as always anybody can stop the job.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- Julian copy?- OK, Bernie.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Mark?
0:39:02 > 0:39:03'Yep, got you, Bernie.'
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Tristam?
0:39:05 > 0:39:06'I'm ready to go, Bernie.'
0:39:06 > 0:39:09Thank you, so we're all on-channel, yeah?
0:39:09 > 0:39:12OK, Tristam, hoist up, please, mate.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14'Keep hoisting, pal.'
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Just starting the table weight, we're going to float it,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21get it off the deck.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25'Keep hoisting, mate. That's looking beautiful.'
0:39:25 > 0:39:27Just watch your weights.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30To keep the carousel level, they have to ensure
0:39:30 > 0:39:34that each crane takes an equal amount of weight.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38Let's put 50 tonnes on whatever you are at the moment, both cranes.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41'It's bang-on, that tonne.'
0:39:41 > 0:39:43OK?
0:39:43 > 0:39:46I'm 100 tonne, dead-on now.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50It's going to lift it.
0:39:50 > 0:39:51Get it clear of everything
0:39:51 > 0:39:57and then we'll start heading towards the barge.
0:39:57 > 0:40:02We're off the rollers here, Dave, by about 30 mil.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05With the weight level staying steady, the carousel is on the move.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11But harbour winds are starting to spin it...
0:40:12 > 0:40:15..threatening to entangle the crane's ropes.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Bloody hell.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Let's put our hands on this and try and stop it spinning if we can.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25It changes every two or three minutes.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29It's up high at the moment, nine metres per second.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33Their two-hour window is running out.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37Until they stop the 275-tonne carousel from spinning,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40the job's on hold.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44It's got to find it's natural place it's going to hang.
0:40:44 > 0:40:45It can't continue.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03I'm Gareth. How you doing? Nice to meet you.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07After his meeting with Tristam in Germany, Gareth's decided to
0:41:07 > 0:41:09witness conditions on site for himself.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13- Hello.- Hello, how are you? Nice to meet you.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16He's come to see heavies team John and Mark
0:41:16 > 0:41:19out on a job with their new crane.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23Hi, John, how you doing? You all right?
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Looks impressive, doesn't it?
0:41:25 > 0:41:27How you getting on with it? All right?
0:41:27 > 0:41:29To be honest, I am a little frustrated with it cos it's slow.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34- Slow?- Yeah, it's slow. But you've just got to go with it.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36It's the machine. Can't make it go faster.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39We've got to just try and keep it busy now, that's the thing.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- So this is where you live then? - This is where we live.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45- Courtesy of the company. - Wi-Fi as well?
0:41:45 > 0:41:48That's er...
0:41:48 > 0:41:49Better than transits, aren't they?
0:41:50 > 0:41:52It's nice to have a shower.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54For the last 15 years I managed without one,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56but it's nice to have one.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58- Smells a hell of a lot better now. - Yeah.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01- How much time are you spending in this then?- Most of the time.- Yeah?
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- Yeah.- Why is that?
0:42:03 > 0:42:06- Home's Kettering. - Family and stuff?
0:42:06 > 0:42:10Yeah, family. Well, grandkids. That's why I'm knackered.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- Had the grandkids for three days.- How long have you been with these guys?
0:42:13 > 0:42:15Since 1998.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17- I've only been here 13 years.- Right.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19And for you, if you don't mind me asking,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22- is it about driving a big crane? - I just like the...
0:42:22 > 0:42:24- No, it's just a question. - I enjoy the work.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28What I like about it, all right, going from a 500 to 750,
0:42:28 > 0:42:32it's The Flagship, know what I mean? Anything mechanically, I like.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35- We need to move. Nice to meet you, mate.- Good to see you, John.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37- Appreciate it.- Good to see the guys.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40I don't think it does any harm to come out and see how they're doing.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Without those guys, we don't do lifts and we don't make money.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47They spend a lot of time on the road,
0:42:47 > 0:42:49sometimes four, five, six weeks at a time.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52- It's a way of life for these guys. - Jackie Charlton.
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Jackie Charlton tea bag from Northumberland.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57So although the guys have got the camaraderie with each other,
0:42:57 > 0:43:00it's not quite the same as having your family with you as well,
0:43:00 > 0:43:01so it's er...
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Yeah, it's a lonely old job for the guys.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18It's D-day for Wayne.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24Today he'll find out if he got the job on the heavies.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Waiting for the big phone call.
0:43:27 > 0:43:28Yeah.
0:43:28 > 0:43:32I've had colleagues texting me. They want to know as well.
0:43:32 > 0:43:33Just have to wait and see.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37I keep looking at me phone.
0:43:39 > 0:43:41I hate waiting. I'm impatient.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48When he stops pacing around, he's wearing them
0:43:48 > 0:43:49boots out at the moment.
0:43:52 > 0:43:53But good luck to the bloke.
0:43:55 > 0:43:56PHONE RINGS
0:43:56 > 0:43:59It's the call.
0:43:59 > 0:44:00Hello?
0:44:00 > 0:44:01All right, Jim.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05Yeah.
0:44:05 > 0:44:07All right. Cheers, Jim.
0:44:07 > 0:44:08Thanks a lot. Bye.
0:44:10 > 0:44:11- Got it?- Yeah.
0:44:11 > 0:44:13I got the job.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15Made me day.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18We've already had the conversation, me and the girlfriend,
0:44:18 > 0:44:21and she's fine with it. As long as I do get home, but er...
0:44:22 > 0:44:24Yeah. I can't wait.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27Bigger crane, more experience, more learning, so, yeah.
0:44:28 > 0:44:29Yeah. Well chuffed.
0:44:38 > 0:44:40OK, Tristam, let's go to your left.
0:44:41 > 0:44:45Marcus, just follow him round to your right, please.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48At Inchgreen Dock, the wind has died
0:44:48 > 0:44:50and the carousel has stopped spinning.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53We're moving again now. We're on the move.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57Tristam and the team have just 45 minutes before high tide,
0:44:57 > 0:44:59when the barge will be level with the dockside
0:44:59 > 0:45:03and in the best position for the carousel to be lowered on.
0:45:03 > 0:45:05RADIO: All balanced up now.
0:45:10 > 0:45:12If you could just stop, Tristam,
0:45:12 > 0:45:15I'm going to have to put more weight on me. Hold it there.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17Hold it there, Marcus.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19- RADIO:- Yeah, I could do with a bit as well, mate.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21As the cranes swing toward the barge, they have to be loaded
0:45:21 > 0:45:25with more weight so that the 275-tonne carousel
0:45:25 > 0:45:27doesn't pull them over.
0:45:27 > 0:45:30- Try number 20 on either corner. - Yeah, I've got it.- That's it, yeah.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36So as soon as we get Tristam balancing up now,
0:45:36 > 0:45:38that's us now, that's the last push.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48Just slewing it round now, getting it closer to the barge.
0:45:55 > 0:45:59This is the most crucial bit here, basically.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05Let the jib down a touch, Tristam, please. Jib down, Tristam.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07Can you jib down as well, Marcus, please?
0:46:14 > 0:46:16OK, can both cranes start lowering off, please?
0:46:16 > 0:46:19Keep your eye on the beam, Mark, please.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21Both cranes lowering off now.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23To fit it on the barge,
0:46:23 > 0:46:28the 15-metre wide carousel has to be landed with millimetre accuracy.
0:46:28 > 0:46:33This is the bit where we're just starting to get it dead centre.
0:46:52 > 0:46:53The eagle has landed.
0:47:04 > 0:47:08It's been more than a year since the London Olympics came to an end.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17As part of the games' legacy,
0:47:17 > 0:47:21the former Olympic Park is being converted for public use.
0:47:22 > 0:47:28And today the heavies are descending onto site to carry out a major lift.
0:47:28 > 0:47:33I remember this when it used to be actual roads and houses.
0:47:34 > 0:47:36A lot of gold medals won in there, yeah.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40To think all those thousands of people that came here.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43No more.
0:47:43 > 0:47:47The team have 12 hours to bring down a 96-tonne beam
0:47:47 > 0:47:50that supported extra seating for the aquatic centre.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53That big thing up there, apparently, is coming down.
0:47:55 > 0:47:56It's a heavy piece.
0:48:00 > 0:48:04The first job is to set the state-of-the-art crane in position.
0:48:04 > 0:48:08Got to get the crane square, so the front legs are over that side there.
0:48:13 > 0:48:15Bluetooth.
0:48:15 > 0:48:17This is fun and games.
0:48:21 > 0:48:22Just very slow.
0:48:24 > 0:48:26See the speed of the riggers coming out now.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28Normally they fly out.
0:48:29 > 0:48:30Bluetooth crane.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35One hour in, and the crane's finally in place
0:48:35 > 0:48:37and ready to be raised for the lift.
0:48:40 > 0:48:44But there's a problem. Some steel girders are in the way.
0:48:44 > 0:48:48It's an issue for us, cos when we throw that super-lift up,
0:48:48 > 0:48:50it's going to hit the column.
0:48:53 > 0:48:55We're snookered.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57- I can't see us rigging till this afternoon.- No.
0:48:57 > 0:49:00Cos you'll need to get a crane in now to take them steels out.
0:49:00 > 0:49:04I was hoping to be rigged by now. Six o'clock this morning,
0:49:04 > 0:49:06and we haven't even put a pad down yet.
0:49:09 > 0:49:11Before they can lift, the team will have to wait
0:49:11 > 0:49:13until the girders are taken out.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17All we need now is a campfire
0:49:17 > 0:49:19and start singing Ging Gang Goolie Goolie Goolie.
0:49:27 > 0:49:28Heavies HQ.
0:49:32 > 0:49:37And Wayne's started weeks of training on a 500-tonne crane.
0:49:37 > 0:49:41With the jib down, get to a reasonable height,
0:49:41 > 0:49:43press FA and then the limitations button
0:49:43 > 0:49:45and we can go back to the screen there.
0:49:46 > 0:49:49- Happy with the height limitation? - Yeah.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51With no lodgings provided,
0:49:51 > 0:49:54Wayne's getting accustomed to his new life away from home.
0:49:56 > 0:49:57And this is where I stay.
0:49:58 > 0:50:02It's all right like this cos I'm plugged in with a lead
0:50:02 > 0:50:06and they've got showers, but if you didn't have that it'd be difficult.
0:50:06 > 0:50:07I'd have to find a hotel.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11I'm used to it. It's quite comfortable, actually.
0:50:11 > 0:50:12It ain't that bad.
0:50:19 > 0:50:22Right now I'd probably be
0:50:22 > 0:50:23sitting on the settee...
0:50:24 > 0:50:26..eating me dinner,
0:50:26 > 0:50:28what's been made for me.
0:50:28 > 0:50:31And helping me girls on the computer or something.
0:50:40 > 0:50:42Leave it as you find it.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10You can tell I'm from Essex originally, can't you?
0:51:17 > 0:51:19You've got to smell good, don't you?
0:51:23 > 0:51:25That's it.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27Living the dream.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41All right. Let's get that winch up.
0:51:41 > 0:51:43Chop chop!
0:51:43 > 0:51:45Over at the Olympic Park,
0:51:45 > 0:51:49the problematic girders have been removed,
0:51:49 > 0:51:52and the gang are finally able to rig the crane.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55That's close the steel. Good job we took this bit out, isn't it?
0:51:56 > 0:52:00Otherwise we'd have been knackered. We'd never have done it.
0:52:00 > 0:52:03A second crane will be used to help lower the 90-metre long beam
0:52:03 > 0:52:04to the ground.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08Hold it there, please, John.
0:52:08 > 0:52:10Nice and easy, mate. Dead slow.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14With the whole operation overseen by lift supervisor Michael.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17Not done nothing this heavy before.
0:52:19 > 0:52:20Or this long.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25Michael's first task is to be raised up 50 metres
0:52:25 > 0:52:28on a hydraulic cherry picker to attach the cranes to the beam.
0:52:32 > 0:52:35I tell you what, this is quite high up, mate.
0:52:35 > 0:52:37Don't break the cable so we come crashing down.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39Slew round to your right, please, John.
0:52:42 > 0:52:45Each end of the beam has to be bolted to the crane by hand.
0:52:57 > 0:52:59With each bolt weighing in at 20 pounds,
0:52:59 > 0:53:02even a hard hat wouldn't offer any protection
0:53:02 > 0:53:04if they were to be dropped from this height.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14Just come down a touch more on yours, please, John.
0:53:14 > 0:53:16Down on yours, mate. Nice and steady. Down you come.
0:53:17 > 0:53:19Hold that there, John. Hold that there, mate.
0:53:30 > 0:53:33That's tightening up. Keep going.
0:53:40 > 0:53:41Got it, mate.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45That's us now.
0:53:45 > 0:53:49- We can lift that beam down now. - Start pinching it up.
0:53:49 > 0:53:50Just keep pinching it up, lads.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52Safely back on the ground,
0:53:52 > 0:53:56Michael has to direct both crane drivers with pin-point precision
0:53:56 > 0:54:01to lower the massive beam into its narrow landing area.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04Down here it don't look that big, but it's quite a size.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07Going to need you to jib down, John.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10And I'm going to need you to jib back, John.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12That's you jibbed down, JD.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14Nice and steady, mate.
0:54:14 > 0:54:15Start coming down on your end.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17Start jibbing back, please, John.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21I'm a little bit confused cos both drivers are called John.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24Communications aren't the only problem.
0:54:24 > 0:54:25RADIO: Stop there. He's shaking his head.
0:54:27 > 0:54:28Hold it there, John.
0:54:28 > 0:54:31RADIO: They're going to move this cherry picker out the way.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33- It's broken down at the minute. - Just have to hold fire.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35Just till they move that cherry picker out the way.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41Well, the cherry picker is broke down
0:54:41 > 0:54:43where we've got to land the beam.
0:54:47 > 0:54:48I don't know why it's so complicated.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53Let's start pinching up again, please.
0:54:54 > 0:54:56Obstruction removed, the lift is back on.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00RADIO: This John here has to jib down about another half a metre
0:55:00 > 0:55:03- so he's clear of the steel work. - All right.
0:55:03 > 0:55:04I'm going to walk over to the other side
0:55:04 > 0:55:06so I can see how it's coming down.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08All right, lads. Nice and steady.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10Just down on the hoist, please, lads.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14Yeah, just keep it coming as you are, lads. As you are.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16Nice and steady. Down on the hoist. keep it coming.
0:55:17 > 0:55:20Yeah, come on, slew it left, mate. I'll keep slewing John right.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25Keep it coming down, lads.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27Keep it coming down as you are, nice and steady. It's looking good.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33Coming down on the hoist, lads. Nice and steady.
0:55:35 > 0:55:38Hold it there, please, everybody. Hold it there. All stop.
0:55:38 > 0:55:39John, hold it there, mate.
0:55:41 > 0:55:44Some days are easy, some days are long.
0:55:47 > 0:55:5190 metres long and weighing almost 100 tonnes,
0:55:51 > 0:55:53the beam has been landed safely.
0:55:58 > 0:55:59Job done.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16It's bad enough living here when you have to put up with this.
0:56:18 > 0:56:22Someone's parked really close to my... Me mobile home.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25It's just a bit of a struggle to get in.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30Wayne's completed his training at heavies.
0:56:31 > 0:56:34That's my 500-tonne certificate.
0:56:34 > 0:56:38I'm trained on a 500, yeah. Basically.
0:56:38 > 0:56:39By the manufacturer.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43But living away from home is taking its toll.
0:56:44 > 0:56:47Five weeks. I'm on my fifth week away from home.
0:56:52 > 0:56:54Another one going home to his family.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56I think it's about time I did that, but...
0:57:00 > 0:57:04A couple of Father's Day cards off me two daughters.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06That's the youngest one there.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08She done that herself.
0:57:09 > 0:57:11That's the both of them, that is.
0:57:13 > 0:57:16It made me want to go home. Brought a lump to me throat, actually.
0:57:18 > 0:57:19"Number one dad."
0:57:22 > 0:57:24The hardest bit's just sat in here on your own every night
0:57:24 > 0:57:26thinking what to do next.
0:57:31 > 0:57:33I'll try and survive like I usually do.
0:57:36 > 0:57:37Next time...
0:57:37 > 0:57:40This is where we find out whether the engineers are any good.
0:57:40 > 0:57:42It's stuck.
0:57:42 > 0:57:44It's back to business for The Crane Gang.
0:57:44 > 0:57:48John, that's just about spot-on. Whoa, there you go. Look at that.
0:57:48 > 0:57:50Flying tigers.
0:57:50 > 0:57:52But do the numbers add up...
0:57:52 > 0:57:54It's a big dip. It's a four million dip.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56..as they battle the elements...
0:57:56 > 0:57:58It's blowing a gale. You can hear it.
0:57:58 > 0:58:00You can see the wind well up, you know.
0:58:00 > 0:58:02A bit of bush falling there.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04..miles away from home.
0:58:04 > 0:58:06This is it.
0:58:07 > 0:58:08Living the dream.
0:58:12 > 0:58:15Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd