Chapter 7. RAIL TRABSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

TM 55-1930-218-14

CHAPTER 7

RAIL TRABSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

Section I. GENERAL

7-1.

Scope

This chapter provides transportability guidance for rail movement of the LACV-30, and prescribes the materials and

guidance required to prepare, load, and tie down the LACV-30 on open-top flatcars.

7-2.

Safety

Safety precautions are listed in chapter 3.

7-3.

Preparation

The LACV-30 must be disassembled for transport by rail. Palletize and band the flexible trunks, using plywood or similar

material on each side of the pallet to unitize and protect. Remove and crate the propellers, and unitize the load-

spreaders and tracks by banding or tieing. Remove the radar scanner unit, supports, and mast. After removal of the

radar mast, particular care must be taken to seal the opening in the top of the control cabin.

SECTION II. TRANSPORTATION ON CONUS RAILWAYS

7-4.

General

a. The sectionalized LACV-30 can be transported without restriction on the railroads of CONUS, Canada, and

Mexico. The Iargest components are the three forward buoyancy boxes, each being 40.1 feet (12.2 m)long, 9.0 feet (2.8

m) wide, and 3.1 feet (0.9 m) high. The heaviest components are the power (engine) modules attached to the starboard

and port rnidcraft buoyancy boxes, weighing 6,554 pounds (2,972.2 kg) each.

NOTE

For rail shipment, the power modules are left attached to their respective midcraft buoyancy boxes.

b. When loaded in accordance with the guidance contained in this manual, the LACV-30 components will meet line

clearances prescribed by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Rules Governing the Loading of Commodities on

Open Top Cars, Section No. 1, Rule 7.

7-5.

Number and types of Railcars Required

The loads shown in figures 7-1 through 7-9 are based on the use of three PTTX commercial cushioned-bulkhead flatcars

and two general-purpose flatcars. The PTTX flatcars are 60 feet long and 10 feet 6 inches wide. The more sensitive

components (control cabin, power modules, and aft center buoyancy box (air management system)) of the LACV-30

must be loaded on bulkhead flatcars with end-of-car cushioning. The other components can be loaded on general-

purpose ODX or commercial flatcars with a length of at least 50 feet.

NOTE

TTPX railcars may be furnished in lieu of PTTX cars. Some TTPX railcars have transverse metal risers across the

deck. If this type of rail car is used, additional Styrofoam beadboard will be placed between the risers to provide

clearance between the risers and the bottom of the load.

7-6.

Loading

a. The components of the LACV-30 can be-placed in the tiedown position on the railcars by either a crane or a

forklift equipped with fork extensions. The crane or forklift must have a capacity of at least 4 tons.

b. Position 4-inch-thick Styrofoam cushioning on the railcar decks so as to protect the fragile components. This

cushioning is also required between components when they are stacked.

c. Figures 7-10 and 7-11 are blocking and tiedown detail diagrams for figures 7-1 through 7-9. Table 7-1 is the bill

of materials required for blocking and tiedown of components and modules, and table 7-2 through 7-6 provide data

concerning the application of materials required for securing the loads.

NOTE

A staggered nailing pattern should be used when lumber or laminating lumber is nailed to the floor of a railcar. The

nailing pattern for an upper piece of lumber should be adjusted, as required, so that a nail for that piece will not be

driven into or against a nail in the lower piece of lumber.

7-1