TM 55-7440-240-14
RAIL TRANSPORTABILITY GUIDANCE
Section I. GENERAL
7 - 1 . Scope
Additional cargo, as approved by the activity offer-
This chapter provides transportability guidance for
ing the system for transport, may be transported
rail movement of the TACFIRE system. It covers
on a railcar with the system, provided the railcar
significant technical and physical characteristics
weight and dimensional limitations are not ex-
and safety considerations and also prescribes the
ceeded.
materials and guidance required to prepare, load,
and tiedown the system on open-top flatcars.
Section II. TRANSPORT ON CONUS RAILWAYS
tiedown position on a railcar by a crane of adequate
7 - 3 . General
capacity (14.5-ton minimum with shelter mounted
The transportability guidance contained in this sec-
in truck, otherwise 11.5-ton). Refer to chapter 6 for
tion is applicable when the system is transported
lifting guidance. The system may be driven or
on CONUS railways. Consideration is given to
towed onto a railcar if a suitable ramp or bridge is
movements on railcars normally used for this type
available.
of equipment. When at a maximum width at the top
of 87 inches and height of 139 inches, the system
and 7-5 are based on a flatcar width of 10 feet 6
can be transported unrestricted and without major
inches. Figure 7-4 gives detailed instructions for
sectionalization or major disassembly, provided the
blocking and tiedown. Tables 7-1 through 7-4 pro-
railcar loading surface does not exceed a height of
vide bills of materials, with instructions for their
40 inches. If the railcar loading surface exceeds 40
application, to secure the system on general-
inches, the shelter must be removed from the truck
purpose flatcars.
cargo body and loaded on the railcar separately, or
special routing and clearances must be obtained.
NOTE
7-4. Preparation
A staggered nailing pattern should be used
As a minimum, insure that all loose items are re-
when lumber or laminated lumber is nailed
moved or secured to prevent loss or damage in
to the floor of a railcar. The nailing pattern
transit.
for an upper piece of lumber should be ad-
justed as required so that a nail for that
piece will not be driven into or against a
nail in the lower piece of lumber.
a. The system components can be placed in the
