Securing an Oversized Pipe Load

[Ezrails]

I have an oversized pipe load that must be secured to a flat car.  What is the best method of securing i

RicZ

["JaBear"]

In a previous post you refer to having Alco S-1 switchers and CNJ 1000, which suggests that you are modelling somewhere from/between 1940 and 1960. (?)

 

While this Alaska Railroad Corporation Load Manual is an 8-30-23 revision, it does show the methods that would have been in use in your time frame.

 

https://www.alaskarailroad.com/sites/default/files/freight/MNL_TrainBldg_Load_Manual.pdf

 

Hope this helps,

Cheers, the Bear.

[jjdamnit]

Hello All,

Ezrails

I have an oversized pipe load that must be secured to a flat car.

What do you consider an "oversized" pipe load?

• A single pipe that requires "special" movements because of height?
• A pipe load that requires idler cars due to length?
• A pipe load of multiple units that require banding together before securing to the flat car?
• What type and length of flatcar?

• Center beam or stake type?
• "Heavy Duty" six-axle?
• Depressed center- -six- or eight axles?
• Type of tie-down points- -stake pocket, deck welded, or pass-through decking?

• How will the pipe load be unloaded?

• Overhead stationary crane?
• Mobile crane(s)?
• Forklift(s)?

The simple answer is chocks and straps.

Other loads might require separate banding of each "layer" with timbers between them to facilitate unloading.

Chains, rather than straps might be employed to secure the load.

Some form of strapping protectors might be employed due to the material of the pipe(s).

Too many variables to give a single answer.

Answering the above questions can help us provide the answer you are seeking.

Hope this helps.

 

 

 

[dehusman]

Oversize could be long or wide.  For a single pipe tall wouldn't be an isssue, the clearance diagrams are rectangular so the pipe would be too wide before it would be too tall.  Long pipes become wide due to over hang around curves.  An 8 ft diameter pipe would fit inside the clearance of the car and wouldn't be "wider" than the car sitting on straight track, but if it was 100 ft long, when you get it on a tight curve it could be the equivalent of a 14 ft wide load due to overhang (depending on how it's loaded.)

For loads longer than a car there are three common arrangement:

- For loads a bit longer than a car, they will have it overhang on one end with an idler flat under that end.

- For loads much longer than one car they will have a double overhang, the load centered on one car, overhanging both ends and an idler flat on both ends.

- For really long loads or heavy long loads (a pressure vessel or refinery tower, not just a pipe) they will have a bolstered load or a bolstered load with idler.  The each end of the load rests on a separate car, one fixed and the other allows some lateral movement, both attachment points allow the load to rotate vertically and horizontally.  The two cars can be coupled together, there can be one or more idlers between the bolster cars or the load itself can be used to connect the two cars.  Depending on how much overhang there is there might even be an idler on the ends of the bolster cars (idler-bolster-idler-bolster-idler).  All dependent on the length of the load and how much overhang is permissible.  If the load is used to connect the two cars (the bolster cars aren't coupled on both ends) then the load will be moved in a special train or moved right ahead of the caboose.