Chapter 3. RAIL TRANSPORT

TM 55-2350-252-14

CHAPTER 3

RAIL TRANSPORT

Section 1. GENERAL

individual basis with the railroad authorities of

3-1. General

the host nation. The railroad authorities may re-

quire special routing and provisions.

The BFVS are rail transportable in CONUS, Can-

ada, and Mexico on most railcars. NATO railways

NOTE

classify the BFVS as an exceptional transport item

Additional cargo may be transported with

because of the overall dimensions and the GVW.

the vehicles if approved by the activity

offering the equipment for transport.

The BFVS must be cleared for rail transport on an

Section Il. RAIL LOADING

monly available military and commercial railcars

3-2. Railcar Selection

with comments about transporting the BFVS on

The BFVS are transportable on a variety of rail-

each railcar.

cars. Table 3-1 presents characteristics of com-

Table 31. Evaluation of Railcars

Comments

Features

RailCar

Suitable.

68 ft long, 10.5 ft wide, 140-ton, steel deck, cushioned, %-inch chain WLL

DODX 140-TON

13,750 lb

Suitable.

54 ft long, 10.5 ft wide, 100-ton, wood deck, standard, no chain tiedowns

DODX 100-TON

provided

Suitable.

60 ft long, 10.2 ft wide, 73-ton, wood deck, cushioned, %-inch chain WLL

HTTX

13,750 lb

ITTX

89 ft long, 8.5 ft wide, 70-ton, steel deck, cushioned, %-inch chain WLL 9,000 Not Recommended.

Suitable when side

rails are removed.

Suitable.

MTTX

60 fl long, 10.5 ft wide, 74-tin, wood deck, cushioned, no chain tiedowns

provided

Suitable.

60 ft long, 10.5 ft wide, 72-ton, wood deck, cushioned, %-inch chain WLL

OTTX

9,000 lb

Not Suitable.

89 ft long, 8.5 ft wide, 74ton, steel deck, cushioned, %-inch chain

TTDX

Railcar does not

allow overhang.

Note: Other general purpose flatcars can be used provided they are at least 8 feet wide and allow overhang on the sides. Flatcars

with permanently attached side rails must be at least 10 feet wide. The flatcar must have at least a 40tan capacity.

f. Placing gun elevating mechanism in the neu-

NOTE

tral position.

If the railcar is not chain equipped, the

g. Removing all trash and mud from the vehicle

shipping unit is responsible for providing

tracks.

chains or wire rope for tiedown.

h. Checking for fluid leaks and repairing any

3-3.

Vehicle

Preparation

defects.

i. Inspecting the engine, brakes, and tiedown

BFVS preparations for rail transport include:

provisions, and repairing any defects.

a. Removing external antennas.

j. Disconnecting the battery.

b. Removing the bolt-on side armor for the

h Closing and locking all hatches to protect

M2A2 and M3A2 if it is reactive. The reactive

vehicle from pilferage.

bolt-on armor should be palletized for transport.

c. Removing the gun barrel and securing it

NOTE

inside the vehicle (optional).

Bolt-on armor can be removed to reduce

d. Securing all loose items.

vehicle width.

e. Locking the turret.

3-1