Chapter 7. RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

TM 55-3805-248-14

CHAPTER 7

RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

Section I. GENERAL

unload the vehicle.

7-1. Scope.

This chapter provides rail transportability guid-

7-2. Maximum Utilization of Railcars.

a n c e for movement of the tractor-scraper,

Additional cargo, if approved by the activity

wheeled, M621R. It covers significant technical

offering the items for transport, may be trans-

and physical characteristics, as well as safety

ported with the vehicle. Minimum width of

concerns, and prescribes the materials and guid-

railcars should be 10 feet 4 inches.

ance required to prepare, load, tie down, and

Section II. TRANSPORT O N C O N U S R A I L W A Y S

by a crane, or it may be driven or towed aboard

7-3. General.

the railcar provided a suitable ramp or bridge is

The transportability guidance contained in this

available. When loaded by crane, the procedures

section is applicable when the vehicle is trans-

and precautions outlined in paragraph 6-46 will

ported on CONUS railways. Consideration is

be adhered to. During transport, the lockout

given to single and multiple movements for the

devices will remain installed, but must be re-

types of flatcars normally used for the movement

moved if the vehicle is driven or towed off the

of this vehicle. The vehicle, when loaded on a

railcars.

suitable flatcar, can be transported without

b. Vehicle transmission must be placed in the

s e c t i o n a l i z a t i o n or major disassembly. The

neutral position and the park brake on (air

tractor-scraper exceeds width limits for unre-

removed).

stricted movement and will require special rout-

c. A typical diagram of a tractor-scraper loaded

ing as determined by officials of the railroad

accepting the load.

on a general-purpose flatcar with a minimum

width of 10 feet 4 inches is shown in figure 7-1.

7 - 4 . Preparation for loading.

The type of blocking and tiedown depicted is

compatible with standard loading practices and

Minimum preparation is required. The procedures

of paragraph 5-5 apply.

provides adequate restraint against the forces

encountered during movements at normal speeds.

7-5. Loading of Tractor-Scraper on

d. Table 7-1 is the bill of materials for blocking

General-Purpose Flatcars.

and tiedown of the tractor-scraper. Table 7-2

provides data for the application of materials

a. The vehicle may be placed in the tiedown

position on the railcar, approximately centered,

required to restrain the vehicle.

Table 7-1. Bill of Materials for Blocking and Tiedown of the Tractor-Scraper on a General-Purpose Flatcar.

Approximate

Item

Quantity

Description

Lumber

Douglas-fir, or comparable. straight grain free from material defects; Fed Spec MM-L-751c:

40 linear feet

1- x 12-inch

42 linear feet

2- x 4-inch

36 linear feet

2- x 6-inch

14 linear feet

4- x 8-inch

24 linear feet

3- x 12-inch

Nails

Common, steel; flathead; bright or cement-coated: para 3.6.11.2. Fed Spec FF-N-105B:

280

40d

Wire Rope

6 x 19. IWRC; improved plow steel; performed, regular-lay; table x, Fed Spec RR-W-410:

100 feet

5/8-inch

Clamps

Wire rope, U-bolt clips, saddled, single-grip, steel, Crosby heavy-duty, or equal: MIL-STD-

16842: 5/8-inch

Thimbles

Standard. open-type:

5/8-inch

7-1