Chapter 7. RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

TM 55-5811-900-14

CHAPTER 7

RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE

Section I. GENERAL

7-1. Scope

7-2. Maximum Utilization of Railcars

This chapter provides rail transportability guidance for

Additional cargo, as approved by the activity offering the

movement of the Trailblazer/Tacjam system. It covers

system for transport, may be transported with the

significant technical and physical characteristics and

system.

safety precautions; prescribes the materials, and

provides guidance required to prepare, load, tie down,

and unload the system.

Section II. TRANSPORT ON CONUS RAILWAYS

7-3. General

b. The loads shown are based on the flatcar

The transportability guidance contained in this section is

minimum width of 9 feet 6 inches.

applicable when this system is transported on CONUS

railways. Consideration is given to single and multiple

NOTE

movements on the types of railcars normally used for

the movement of Army equipment. This system, when

A staggered nailing pattern will be used when

at reduced configuration, is transportable in accordance

lumber or laminated lumber is nailed to the

with the Association of American Railroads' Outline

floor of the railcar. Also, the nailing pattern for

Diagram for Single Loads, Without End Overhang, On

an upper piece of laminated lumber will be

Open Top Cars, as shown in both the Railway Line

adjusted as required so that nail for that piece

.Clearance Publication and the Official Railway

will not be driven through, onto, or beside a

Equipment Register.

nail in the lower piece of lumber.

7-4. Loading the Trailblazer/Tacjam System on

Figure 7-1 and 7-2 show the tiedown of M1015 carriers

General-Purpose Flatcars

on various types of flatcars. Figures 7-3 and 7-4 show

tiedown details. Figures 7-5 and 7-6 show the tiedown

a. The trailer or carrier may be placed in the

of the shelters on typical CONUS flatcars. Figures 7-7

tiedown position on the railcar by a crane or may be

and 7-8 show the tiedown of the trailer support unit on a

driven or towed, provided that a suitable ramp or bridge

typical CONUS flatcar. Figure 7-9 is a blocking detail

is available. For lifting diagrams, refer to chapter 6.

diagram for the trailer support unit. The following tables

are the bill of materials and application of materials for

securing the various components for rail transport:

tables 7-1, 7-2, and 7-3, M1015 carrier; tables 7-4 and

7-5, shelters; tables 7-6 and 7-7; trailer support unit.

Section III. TRANSPORT ON FOREIGN RAILWAYS

7-5. General

equipment. The system, when loaded on a suitable

railcar, can be transported in its reduced-height

The transportability guidance contained in this section is

configuration, with restrictions within European countries

applicable when the Trailblazer/Tacjam system is

that comply with the International Loading Gauge

transported on foreign railways. Consideration is given

(formerly Berne International); the majority of the

to single and multiple movements on the types of

countries in the Middle East; and South America,

railcars normally used for the movement of Army

Australia, India,

7-1