Chapter 7. RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

TM 55-2320-279-14

CHAPTER 7

RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

Section I. GENERAL

a. The HEMTTs should not exceed 3 mph when

7-1. Scope

on loading ramps and railcars.

This chapter provides rail transportability guid-

b. Guides should be in full view of the vehicle's

ance for movement of the HEMTTs. It covers tech-

nical and physical characteristics of HEMTTs, as

operator.

well as safety considerations. It also prescribes the

c. Guides should maintain a safe distance and lo-

materials and guidance required to prepare, load,

cation in front of the vehicle or on the next rail-

tie down, and unload the vehicles.

car.

d. Cranes, gantries, outriggers, and movable

7-2. Maximum Utilization of Railcars

parts should be secured in their shipping position

Additional cargo, as approved by the activity offer-

with half-inch wire rope and cable clamps whether

ing the vehicles for transport, may be loaded with

equipped or not equipped with positive locking de-

the vehicles.

vices for movable components.

7-3. Safety

In addition to the safety precautions contained in

chapter 3, the following items should be noted as

applicable.

Section Il. TRANSPORT ON CONUS RAILWAYS

7-6. Loading on General Purpose Flatcars

7-4 General

The transportability guidance contained in this

a. The HEMTTs may be placed in the tiedown

position on the flatcar by a crane of adequate ca-

section is applicable when the HEMTT is trans-

pacity, or they may be driven or towed onto the

ported on CONUS railways. When loaded on a

flatcar if a suitable ramp or bridge is available.

standard deck-height flatcar, the HEMTTs are

within height and width limitations of the Associa-

b. The load illustrated in figure 7-1 is based on a

tion of American Railroads (AAR) "Outline Dia-

minimum flatcar width of 9 feet 6 inches. Figure

gram for Single Loads Without End Overhang on

7-1 provides a tiedown diagram that is compatible

with standard loading practices that will offer ade-

Open-Top Cars" and can be moved without restric-

quate restraint. Blocking and tiedown details are

tion. No special preparation of the HEMTTs will

shown in figure 7-2. The bill and application of

be required.

materials for blocking and tiedown are provided in

7-5. Preparation for loading

tables 7-1 and 7-2, respectively.

The decree of preparation for shipment depends on

NOTE

the operational commitment. As a minimum, the

A staggered nailing pattern should be

following should be accomplished.

used when lumber of laminated lumber is

a. Vehicle should be in its minimum shipping

nailed to the floor of a railcar. The nailing

configuration.

pattern for an upper piece of lumber

b. Antennas should be removed and stowed.

should be adjusted as required so that a

nail for that piece will not be driven into

c. All basic issue items (BII) should be removed

or against a nail in the lower piece.

and stowed.

7-1