TM-55-2350-215-10-15 M60 Series Transportability Guidance Download

TM 55-2350-215-10-15 7-8. Transport of M60-Series Tanks in Controlled Train Service for Unit Moves Movement by this method of securement is designed to provide prompt movement over short distances from military installations to portside for shiploading. The M60-series tanks can be loaded on a railcar of adequate weight capacity that is a minimum of 10 feet 4 inches wide. Blocking and tiedown requirements are reduced from those shown in figures 7-5 and 7-6. Only items B, C, J, K, and N of table 7-5 are applied to provide adequate restraint against forces encountered during movements on controlled train service. 7-9. Transport of M60-Series Tank Restrained With Wood Blocking Only Controlled train service is generally a short distance from an installation to an outport or training area and over rails owned or controlled by a single handling carrier. Under these conditions, the carrier will specify the safe speed a load can move with reduced restraints. The wood blocking method of restraint can be used for movement only when prior coordination and acceptance by the handling carrier railroad have been accomplished. Loading and placement of the M60- series tank on wood decked flatcar are as shown in figures 7-5 and 7-6. Blocking is applied as shown in A, B, C, D, E, L, and M of table 7-5. No tiedowns or road wheel blocks are applied. 7-10. Transport of M60-Series Tanks on Special- Purpose Flatcars a. Special-purpose G85 and G89 cushion rub-rail flatcars are not considered appropriate for loading the M60-series tanks, since the individual weight of the vehicles exceeds the load-restraint capability of the tiedown chains working in relation to the action of the cushioned rub-rails. b. Special-purpose flatcars owned by the Trailer Train Company, with the exception of the HTTX, are not considered appropriate for handling the M60-series tanks because of the obstruction of side guide rails, strength of tiedown chains, and spacing of tiedown devices. The M60-series tanks have not been test- loaded on the HTTX; therefore, procedures have not been included in this publication. Section III. TRANSPORT ON FOREIGN RAILWAYS 7-11. General The transportability guidance contained in this section is applicable when the M60-series tank is transported on foreign railways. Consideration is given to single and multiple vehicle movements for the types of flatcars normally used in the movement of this type of vehicle. The vehicle, when loaded on a suitable flatcar, can be transported, with restrictions, within European countries complying with the passe-partout international (PPI) gauge railways; this also applies to the majority of the countries in the Middle East, South America, Australia, India, and Pakistan. In the Middle East and South America, the clearances vary by country, and each country will require a separate check. In Australia, India, and Pakistan, wide- or broad-gauge railways provide greater clearances and less restrictions. Because of the various designation systems and clearances used by different countries, evaluation of transport capability must be made on an individual basis. 7-12. Transport on Foreign-Service Flatcars a. General. The vehicle can be transported on some foreign-service flatcars. Flatcars representative of those available in Europe that are suitable for transporting the vehicle are described in table 7-6. b. Materials. The materials required for blocking and tiedown of the vehicle on foreign-service flatcars are essentially the same as those used for transporting the vehicle within CONUS. Detailed guidance is contained in 4th Transportation Command Pamphlet 55- 2, Tiedown Guide for Rail Movements. Table 7-6. Characteristics of European Flatcars Available for Transporting Vehicles Platform Flatcar Designation Capacity Length Width Height RLMMP 700 57.3-ton 31-ft 2-in. 10-ft 4-in. 4-ft 2 3/4-in. (52.00 MT) (9.50 m) (3.15 m) (1.29 m) SAMS 710 71.63-ton 49-ft 3-in. 10-ft 2-in. 4-ft 2 3/4-in. (65.00 MT) (15.01 m) (3.10 m) (1.29 m) 7-19