Chapter 7. RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

TM 55-3930-243-14

CHAPTER 7

RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

Section I. GENERAL

72. Maximum Use of Railcars

71. Scope

Additional cargo, as approved by the activity of-

This chapter provides transportability guidance

fering the forklifts for transport, may be trans-

for rail movement of the forklifts. It covers sig-

ported with the forklifts.

nificant technical and physical characteristics

and safety considerations and prescribes the ma-

terials and guidance required to load and tiedown

the forklifts on open-top flatcars.

Section II. TRANSPORT ON CONUS RAILWAY

b. The loads shown in figures 71 thru 7-4 are

7 - 3 . General

based on flatcar width of 10 feet 6 inches. Figure

The transportability guidance contained in this

75 provides detailed instructions for blocking

section is applicable when the forklifts are trans-

and tiedown. Table 71 provides a bill of materials,

ported on CONUS railways. Consideration is given

and table 72 presents application of those ma-

to single and multiple movements on the types of

terials for securing forklifts on general-purpose

railcars normally used for the transport of this

flatcars.

type of equipment. When reduced to their mini-

mum height, as shown in figures 2-3 and 25, the

NOTE

forklifts can be transported without restriction

A staggered nailing pattern should be used

and without sectionalization or major disassem-

when lumber or laminated lumber is nailed

bly.

to the floor of a railcar. The nailing pattern

for an upper piece of lumber will be adjusted

7-4. Preparation

as required so that a nail for that piece will

not be driven into or immediately adjacent to

The degree of preparation of the forklifts for

a nail in the lower piece of lumber.

transport depends on the operational commit-

ment. As a minimum, the forklifts should be re-

duced as outlined in paragraph 25.

7-6. Loading on Special-Purpose Flatcars

75. Loading on General-Purpose Flatcars

The loads shown in figures 76 thru 7-9 are based

a. The forklifts may be placed in the tiedown

on the use of CONUS HTTX or similar types of

position on a railcar by a crane, or they may be

flatcars. These cars are equipped with special

driven or towed onto the railcar, provided a suit-

heavyduty tiedown anchors and chain assemblies

able ramp or bridge is available.

contained in channels along each side of the car

and on each side of the center sill. Table 73 pre-

CAUTION

sents application of chain tiedowns for securing

Do not allow the forklift to exceed 3 miles per

forklifts.

hour (walking speed) during loading or un-

loading operations.