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So far, I have not heard a convincing reason why this system could not be applied here in the U.S.  And the fact that it is not yet applied, does not mean that the rail industry leaders have reviewed and rejected it.   <o:p></o:p> The pallet is not just some extra item that was dreamed up and added without a purpose.  <o:p></o:p> The genius of the pallets is that they provide the ability for instantaneous loading and unloading of the railcars.  They also provide the ability for instantaneous lock-down of the load to the railcar.   <o:p></o:p> The pallets need not add any weight to the shipping for this reason:  The pallets are a structural element that makes the railcar strong enough to carry the trailer load when the pallet is attached to the railcar.  When the pallet is removed from the railcar, the railcar does not have the strength to carry a load, but it does not need it.  So you could say that the pallet is a structural element of the railcar that is removable.  Likewise the pallet adds structural strength to the trailer so it can be handled by the loading and unloading system.   <o:p></o:p> Therefore a railcar with a pallet need not be any heavier than a conventional railcar that is the same whether running loaded or empty.  <o:p></o:p> And therefore, the fact that this system needs a supply of pallets is hardly a drawback in any way.  And, for the most part, pallets will not need to be specially handled to get them to where they are needed, because the normal operation of the system will keep them distributed by the loading and unloading process.   <o:p></o:p> For that matter, this system could be further automated by providing a pallet storage pocket.  From that pocket, pallets could be moved to and from each loading/unloading stage as needed.  This feature could be entirely automated mechanics just like a vending machine.   <o:p></o:p> One thing to keep in mind is that this Cargo Beamer is intended to address an exploding market of TOFC that results from trying to sweep the highways free of trucks.  That is what it is being used for.  In the U.S., we have not yet gotten to that point, but the FRA says they intend to take 80% of long haul trucking off of the roads and put it on rails.  So that is going to require lots of new rail infrastructure, plus whole new ways of doing things faster.
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