M3 Bradleys on flats

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I know that this has been covered (indirectly) before but I can’t locate it… I also searched for pics with little success… must be using the wrong search words…

At long last I have enough M3 Bradleys available to load several cars…

So I need to know if I stick with 60’ flats or can use 89’ intermodal flats (same as for Humvees)?

How many M3 to a car? I think two on a 60’ and three on an 89’… I think that this would work for both lngth and weight… Am i right please?

Any pics of tie-downs please?

Thanks

[8D]

2

The M3 bradley weights between 25 and 30 ton depending on the armament. At 21 feet long 3 would fit on a 89’ flat but they may be over weight.

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=38807

3

DoD maintains a fleet of six axled flat cars for this specific use, 3 M3’s fit per car, I believe these are in the area of 70 feet, I see these flatcars frequently here in Southern California, they can accomidate 2 M2 Abrams tanks as well .

Typically 2 M3’s are carried when a traditional 89 foot flat is used, and 3 Humvess are common on 60 foot flatcars.

Dave

Dave

4

Also - don’t forget to chain and block your Bradley’s in place. They are supposed to travel well secured to their flatcars. The DoD has very specific instructions on how this is done.

5

The M1s almost always use the approximately 570 DODX 40000 series 68’ 140 ton 6 axle flats. They are also extra wide for the M1s. They could of course easily accommodate the Bradleys, it’s just a matter of available 40,000 series. I’ve had to scratch build mine. At one point I had hoped some mfg would make them (Andersly did for a while for a kit).

Here’s an excerpt from a somewhat dated DOD document on some of it.

There are approximately 1,500 flat cars in the total DODX fleet. These DODX flat cars are unevenly divided into four car series:

6

Would you mind shareing how you built your 40000 series cars? I have been looking for some heavy DoD flats to model, I am a little disappointed there aren’t any avalible. I don’t think I will be modeling a full military unit train, but a few cars could make for some interesting mixed loads.