TM   55-2350-224-14 CHAPTER  3 RAIL  TRANSPORT  GUIDANCE Section  I.  GENERAL 3-1.   General ATTN:  MTTE-TR The  M113  FOV,  when  at  a  maximum  width  of 720 Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Suite 130 105.8  inches,  are  transportable  on  most  flatcars Newport  News,  VA  23606-2574 without  restriction  and  sectionalization  or  major disassembly. The railcar may have a wood or steel Use   railcar   and   ground   guides   during deck  and  standard  or  cushioned-draft  couplers.  It loading. must  have  suitable  tiedown  points,  such  as  stake pockets or chain-tiedown anchor channels. MTMC- TEA Pamphlet 55-19,  Tiedown  Handbook  for  Rail Do not allow carrier to exceed 3 miles per Movements,  provides additional information on ty- hour (mph) (walking speed) during loading ing down military equipment on railcars. Copies of or unloading operations. this   publication   can   be   obtained   by   contacting: Director Military Traffic Management Command Only   qualified   equipment Transportation  Engineering  Agency tors should move a carrier. Section Il. RAIL LOADING 3-2.   Railcar   Selection drivers/opera- A  variety  of  railcars  can  transport  the  M113  FOV.  Table  3-1  gives  an  evaluation  of  railcars  readily available in the U.S. Table 3–1. Evaluation of Railcars Railcars Features Comments DODX, 140-ton 68 ft long, 10.5 ft wide, steel deck, cushioned-draft gear*, l/2-in. Not  recommended.  De- chain-tiedown. signed and intended for heavier tracked vehicles. DODX, 100-ton Wood deck, 54 ft long, 10.5 ft wide, standard-draft gear**, no chain-tiedown. Suitable, chains required, but not supplied with railcar. HTTX Wood deck, 60 ft long, 10.2 ft wide, 73 tons, cushioned-draft gear, l/2-in. Suitable. chain-tiedown. OTTX Wood deck, 60 ft long, 10.5 ft wide, 72 tons, cushioned-draft gear, 3/8-in. Suitable. chain-tiedown. ITTX Steel  deck,  89  ft  long,  8.5  ft  wide,  70  tons,  cushioned-draft  gear,  3/8-in.  chain  Suitable. tiedown. TTDX Steel  deck,  89  ft  long,  8.5  ft  wide,  74  tons,  cushioned-draft  gear,  l/2-in.  chain  Suitable. tiedown. MTTX Wood deck, 60 ft long, 10.5 ft wide, 74 tons, cushioned-draft gear. Suitable,  l/2-in.  chains and blocking required. General-purpose  flatcar Wood-deck, standard-draft gear* *. Suitable,  l/2-in.  chains and blocking required. *Couplers  are  hydraulically  “cushioned.” **Couplers have stiff mechanical snubbers only. 3-3.   Preparation d. Secure  the  battery. 3-3-1.  Preparations  for  Rail  Movement: e. Make  sure  the  engine,  brakes,  and  tiedowns are in good mechanical condition. a. Empty fuel tank to one-quarter full. f. Remove  all  BII  from  outside  the  carrier,  and b.  Remove  trash  and  mud  from  the  carrier’s restrain them inside the carrier. tracks. g. Secure  all  equipment  inside  the  carrier,  to c. Check  for  fluid  leaks,  and  repair  any  defects. prevent damage. 3-1