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Department of Defense may have to buy new flat cars
Sounds like lots of big government red tape getting caught up in the wheels of progress. So here’s an idea, seeing as how the big government types don’t get paid to think. Try putting whatever you can in a standardized 40 or 53 foot container. My guess is that a very good percentage could be containerized with the proper tie downs inside of the containers. Then all you have to worry about is the stuff that is too big for a standard container but not big enough for the super duty flat cars. Of course, there are those new flatbed “containers” which are being used by flatbed intermodal truck drivers. I bet some of those could easily be adapted with a few modifications.
The government in it’s infinite wisdom will but these flat cars. Why reheb something and save money when you can spend more taxpayers money and have new.
Change the stupid law. Don’t base retirement on age, base it on ability to function according to set demands.
Can’t put M1A2 Abrams, Bradleys, Trucks, HUMMVEES, etc…, in containers. Not gonna work. Military already utilizes containers whenever they can.
Many of these DODX flatcars can haul two 145,000 pound M1A1 tanks. They have >315,000 lb load limit, and three axle trucks. They are well built cars and were patterned after the ATSF 94600-series 68’ flats. A rebuild program would be cost effective. The military already uses containers extensively and effectively.
Unfortunately, you cannot put the trucks, HUMVEEs, or other equipment they ship by rail into containers. The only thing we used to ship by container was gear, like tents, footlockers and supplies.
Given the long lead time for any non-emergency, non-high visibility project to move up the funding pyramid at Department of Defense I strongly recommend that the Department of The Army start the process in FY 2014 to replace these vital pieces of mobilization railroad rolling stock.
Given the long lead time for any non-emergency, non-high visibility project to move up the funding pyramid at Department of Defense I strongly recommend that the Department of The Army start the process in FY 2014 to replace these vital pieces of mobilization railroad rolling stock.
Please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, …“personal attacks, or irrelevant comments… will be deleted.” … just saying …since many are offended by Jeffery’s comments…why haven’t the editors stricken the first two sentences of this comment per instructions to commenters. Jeffery, keep up the observations and comments, but first two sentences weren’t really necessary for the good thought to be given
I find it interesting that we depend on our military to fight in most any kind conflict which might develop (or which our civilian government seems to put us in)… but they are too stupid and can’t think rationally enough to make a proper decision concerning rail equipment? Why don’t we just sit back and let the military, who knows the entire story and not the news clips we hear, make the decisions? Government and/or the military are staffed by people who are sincere, dedicated and hard working. Well, except for certain isolated members of Congress perhaps. The military know about containers… and use them whenever possible. They do have some excellent brains!
The manufactures of these flatcars should work with the DOD to develop a ‘conversion kit’ so the cars have several uses. This should not be that difficult to do. If a rebuild program is initiated multi-use conversion should be considered in the design or in new designs for the future. I agree with Mr. Fath in his assessment as well.
I can vouch for the fact that you CAN get a HMMWV (Humvee) into a container. It’s a tight fir, but it can and has been done. But, that’s about it.
Mr. Guse, I am very grateful you are not an employee of the government you seem to despise so much. Your comment here was based upon a total lack of knowledge about the situation, but you seemed to want to sound like an expert. You and the editors of this forum seem to be oblivious to the rules for posting here.
Mr. Guse, I am very grateful you are not part of the government you seem to dispise so much. You have not one clue what you are talking about, but incessantly pelt all of us with your innanities.
Even if you found a way to containerize some of the dod’s heavy freight, it could not be moved efficiently using current the current intermodal system. The humvees and etc would be fine but the heavier armored vehicles would exceed the tare of the vast majority of intermodal cars that I’ve seen. And you need to remember that the Humvee is rapidly being phased out and replaced with newer up armored fighting vehicles that are larger and heavier. Given the substantial cost savings of moving heavy vehicles by rail versus by permitted oversize truck freight, it’s imperative that the dod find a long term solution. If that solution involves a substantial investment in new cars, it’s very hard to see that passing in the current era of sequestration as the short term solution would be to replace with truck freight, which requires less investment of capitol.
Mr. Baker is correct. The arbitrary 50 year retirement date is another reason government regulation is costing the economy. Do updates and inspections and keep them rolling!
“Change the stupid law. Don’t base retirement on age, base it on ability to function according to set demands.” Here, Here! A law that went into effect because no one was watching.
The FAA doesn’t force airplanes to be grounded when they hit 50 years old…If that was the case nearly all the B52’s in SAC would be forced to be grounded… and what about all the heritage aircraft flying around? They need a group pf people authorized to “re-permit” rail cars based on mechanical requirements and current status. If a car or locomotive can be made to work based on current status or some modifications or repairs, that guy recommends it and it’s up to the owner to decided to accept or scrap… Works great for aviation…why not the railroads? C’mon people…this shouldn’t be that big of deal. An airplane flying at 10,000 feet that shouldn’t be is a lot bigger deal than a boxcar or flatcar on rails three feet off the ground!
The types of cars they are talking about are the ones similar to the old TOFC flats. Tracked equipment is loaded circus style. Military bases with rail loading facilities have concrete ramps at the end of the spurs and the APC’s and MBT’s are driven up the ramp and onto the cars. The concentrated weight and track width of the armored equipment preclude actual TOFC cars. I remember loading tanks onto the old 1950’s DODX cars which had Pullman trucks. The tracks of the tanks actually overhung the sides of the cars a bit and the drivers had to give full attention to the load masters hand signals.