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TM 55-3930-660-14
CHAPTER 3
RAIL TRANSPORT
Section I. GENERAL
3-1. General
loading MTMCTEA Pamphlet 55–19, Tiedown
The 6K VRRTFL is transportable on most general-
Handbook for Rail Movements.)
purpose, standard deck-height flatcars. The railcar
may have a wood or steel deck and standard or
cushioned-draft couplers. It must have suitable
tiedown points, such as stake pockets or chain-
tiedown anchor channels. (Contact MTMCTEA (see
address in para 1–3) for a pamphlet on rail
*NOTE*
Only qualified equipment drivers/opera-
tors should move a VRRTFL.
Do not ride on, mount, or dismount a
moving VRRTFL.
Section II. RAIL LOADING
3-2. Railcar Selection
Because of its size and weight, the 6K VRRTFL is
rail transportable by a variety of railcars. Table
3-1 presents features of commonly available mili-
tary and commercial railcars.
3-3. Preparation
Preparation for rail movement includes:
a. Filling fuel tank to one-quarter full.
b. Removing trash and mud from the VRRTFL.
Table 3-1. Evaluation of Railcars
Railcar
Features
Comments
DODX
140-ton
purpose
DODX
50-ton
General-
flatcar
Trailer
Train:
HTTX
OTTX
ITTX,
Steel-deck,
cushioned-draft*,
1/2-in.
chain-tiedown
Wood-deck, 1/2-in.
chain-tiedown
Wood-deck,
standard-draft **
Wood-deck
cushioned-draft,
1/2-in.
chain-tiedown
Wood-deck,
cushioned-draft,
3/8-in.
chain-tiedown
Steel-deck,
Designed and intended for M1
Abrams and other tracked ve-
hicles.
Suitable, 8 chains required
Suitable, 5/8-in. cable and
blocking required
Suitable, 8 chains required
Suitable, 12 chains required
Suitable, 12 chains required
TTDX
cushioned-draft, 3/8
in. chain-tiedown
*Couplers are hydraulically “cushioned.”
**Couplers have stiff mechanical snubbers only.
c. Ensuring MLRS pod lifting tool is properly
positioned in its storage location on the machine.
d. Checking for fluid leaks and repairing any
defects.
e. Securing battery.
f. Ensuring the VRRTFL is in good mechanical
order, with usable tiedowns, operating engine,
brakes, and proper tire pressure.
3-4. Loading Procedures
a. Material. When chain-tiedown cars are un-
available, the shipper must supply materials for
blocking and tiedown on the railcar. Table 3–2 is a
listing of such materials. Note that either four
loops of 5/8-inch wire rope or eight loops of
1/2-inch wire rope can be used.
b. Loading. To place the VRRTFL in the tie-
down position on the railcar, use a crane of
adequate capacity (see para 4-4 for lifting guid-
ance), or drive the forklift onto the railcar if a
suitable ramp is available. Position the forklift so
that sufficient railcar tiedown points are available.
Set the parking brake. Place the transmission in
neutral. Rest the forks on shoring, or leave them
in a raised position. Generally, on wood-deck rail-
cars, rest the forks on the deck (or shoring), and on
steel-deck railcars, simply leave the forks raised
18 to 24 inches above the deck.
c. Tiedowns and Blocking. Figure 3-1 and table
3-3 provide instructions for restraining the forklift
against forces encountered in normal rail opera-
tions. The rail loading restraint factors (LRF) used
in figure 3–1 are listed in appendix B.
3-1
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