Boxcar information.

TM 38-400/NAVSUP PUB 572/AFMAN 23-210 MCO 4450.14/DLAM 4145.12

containing 50 boxes, the ratio of transfers has been

reduced from 1,800 individual box handlings to 36

inches long.

mechanized pallet moves. Also, each time a package is

(d) 9 feet 6 inches wide by 50 feet 6

handled, there is the possibility of damage; therefore,

inches long.

reduced handling results in less damage to cargo.

(3) Car door widths.

(2) Stable pallet loads. If the items are

(a) Single door boxcars. The doors in

assembled carelessly on a pallet, the pallet will not

single door boxcars are from 6 feet to 10 feet wide.

protect the material during handling or transit

Some of the newer cars have doors with a 12-foot width.

operations. If a pallet unit becomes disarranged, it is

(b) Double door boxcars. The doors in

not much better than individual loading and requires a

double door boxcars vary from approximately 10 feet 6

large amount of manual handling to reassemble in an

inches to 16 feet 6 inches. The average standard clear

orderly arrangement. Therefore, it is important that the

width opening is 15 feet.

palletization of items be arranged carefully and the

(4) Refrigerator car information.

individual items be secured properly into a strong

compact unit, capable of being handled and shipped

(a) Inside floor dimensions. The inside

safely.

floor dimensions of a standard size refrigerator car are 8

feet 2 3/4 inches in width by 33 feet 2 3/4 inches in

length. Some cars will vary from this standard.

NOTE

See section X, this chapter, for more

(b) Car door widths. Car doors are 4

detail on unit loads.

feet wide although newer cars are being built with 6foot

wide doors.

b. Boxcar information.

(5) Boxcar floors. When moving in and out of

(1) General. For guidance in planning pallet

cars with a loaded forklift truck, this heavy concentrated

units and loading, basic data on boxcars is necessary.

load in motion causes a considerable strain on the car

While the dimensions listed in subparagraph (2) below

floors. In order to avoid accident or injury, the car floors

are the most common for standard boxcars, dimensions

must be protected. Circular 42F, rule 6(D), Operating-

of some older or special cars may vary.

Transportation Division, AAR, General Rules Covering

(2) Inside floor dimensions of boxcars.

Loading of Carload Shipments of Commodities in

Typical inside floor dimensions of boxcars are as

Closed Cars, requires, when lift trucks are used for

follows:

loading and unloading, suitable steel plates must be

(a) 9 feet 2 inches wide by 40 feet 6

placed in the car to prevent damage to the floor (fig 3-

inches long.

19).

(b) 8 feet 6 inches wide by 40 feet 6

inches long.

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