Thought folks might be interested........
Based on my long ago memory this is how it works.
1. Remove all lose items from exterior of the Armored vehicle including anything that would come in contact with the overhead electrical wires (radio antennas).
2. Prep DB flatcars for loading. Lower flatcar stakes and ends so that everything is flat and vehicles can circus load onto the flatcars OK.
3. Ground guide each armored vehicle into position for tie down on each flatcar. This is important as the driver cannot see how close they are to falling off the flatcar and causing some serious damage. Notice in the videos the M1 tanks overhang the edged of the flatcar, one wrong tap in either direction and the tank is falling off the edge of the car. So the driver places a LOT of trust in the ground guide that they are watching.
4. Chalk the track ends of the vehicle into position using wood or steel chalks.
5. Use steel chain tiedowns to flatcar tightening them so there is absolutely no slack in the chain and cross the two chains in an X on the way to the front and rear tiedowns. Hard to believe but yes most of this is done by 18-25 year olds that had no previous experience until the Army trained them.
6. Load and tiedowns are inspected by DB Rail personnel before the train moves (switch engine couples to the string of flat cars). Any deficiencies found in load distribution or tie downs is fixed as they are found.
7. Train ready for departure.
Videos of recent rail loading at Vilseck, Germany for transit to Hohenfels manuever area......
M1 tanks (the white chalk numbers you see might be NATO convoy numbers):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KN9B5f2W1k
Armored Ambulance tracks and command vehicles (I drove some of those powered by Detroit Diesel City Bus Engine to 13-14 tons of Armor), Second batch of tank like looking vehicles are Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYZcWC1O9F0
The equipment being loaded is different, but the process seems to be unchanged from 1961.
ramrod The equipment being loaded is different, but the process seems to be unchanged from 1961.
Or circa 1940. And I saw nothing that would make this unique to DB Railway. Might just as easily have been BNSF or any other US road.
ChuckAllen, TX
As you can see in the first few minutes of this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU_WYGDiMO0
The DB doesn't always chain down vehicles (turrets are secured to keep them from moving in transit,) but instead uses steel chock blocks to keep the vehicles in place.
cefinkjrOr circa 1940. And I saw nothing that would make this unique to DB Railway. Might just as easily have been BNSF or any other US road.
The DB flat cars are slightly different than US models in that they have verticle steaks on the side that fold down flat and each end of the DB car has a verticle piece at the car end that folds down to cover the coupler / buffer area with steel backed wood for circus loading. They are also shorter and in a lot of cases single axle but with larger diameter wheels vs US Counterparts from what I remember.
Btcaub As you can see in the first few minutes of this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU_WYGDiMO0 The DB doesn't always chain down vehicles (turrets are secured to keep them from moving in transit,) but instead uses steel chock blocks to keep the vehicles in place.
I would not be so sure of that...
They were chained down at one point in transit otherwise the Army would not have mounted the eyelets for tiedown. The eyelets are not mounted for regular use and are removed prior to manuever. No way would the DB allow that to pass for movement without the chain tiedowns because they haul these trains on the passenger train lines and it only takes one to shift to cause a disaster. Why they removed them prior to switching at the railhead is a mystery.
Also the steel chalks either have a serated edge on the bottom to dig into the wood or are nailed into the wooden flatcar bed. Plus the procedure is to drive up on the front chalks before placing the chalks in the rear for a real tight fit. At least that is how it used to be done.
I don't think I've ever seen military equipment being shipped that wasn't securely tied down. It's possible that the tie-downs were removed prior to the cars being spotted for unloading.
I'm pretty sure they use steel or wooden chocks. Chalk isn't very hard and would probably be crushed by the tracked vehicles...
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Chock a block of chalk.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
CMStPnP cefinkjr Or circa 1940. And I saw nothing that would make this unique to DB Railway. Might just as easily have been BNSF or any other US road. verticle steaks verticle piece
cefinkjr Or circa 1940. And I saw nothing that would make this unique to DB Railway. Might just as easily have been BNSF or any other US road.
verticle steaks verticle piece
Vertical stakes?
SALfan CMStPnP cefinkjr Or circa 1940. And I saw nothing that would make this unique to DB Railway. Might just as easily have been BNSF or any other US road. verticle steaks verticle piece Vertical stakes?
Johnny
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