1. The Russian-operated Antonov 124 arrived in Richmond, Virginia, USA, shortly after 1 a.m. on December 17, 2002 with the new reactor vessel head bound for Dominion Energy’s North Anna Unit 2 nuclear power station.

2. A system of cables attached to a skid steadies the vessel head as it slowly moves along rails extending from the Antonov’s cargo bay. A crew of some 25 technicians and engineers from 3 countries worked as a team to remove the vessel head from the Antonov.

3. The vessel head moves slowly beneath the raised nose cone of the Antonov, capable of carrying up to 132 tons.

4. The heavy duty crane carefully swings into position to receive its payload once it has cleared the Antonov. Every movement of the vessel head from cargo bay to ground transport was methodical and required more than five hours to complete.

5. Once clear of the Antonov, the crane hoists the 72.5 ton vessel head into position above the ground transport.

6. The vessel head is secured onto the transport for the final leg of its journey to North Anna nuclear power station about 50 miles away near Louisa, Virginia. It made the journey at night to avoid tying up traffic.