Multiple Rail Car Loading Systems

When more than one rail car is loaded or unloaded from the same track, complications can occur. There are many variables effecting rail cars. Without taking these variables into account, the loading platforms, loading arms and fall protection can fail to be safe and efficient. This happens with rail cars that carry both liquid and solid products.

This often occurs when more than one product is loaded or unloaded from the same platform system. Even if there is only one product, rail cars can usually vary considerably. The height of the walk surface on the rail car, the size of the rail around the car’s walk surface and the hatch area often vary widely. The spot of the car is also a variable.

Safe Rack retractable gangways can handle these variables. A gangway with a wide, walk surface makes it easier to align with the rail car and provides more walk space. The wide gangways also allow some tolerance for the spot of the rail car. A telescoping extension on the Safe Rack gangway walk surface closes off gaps between the gangway and the rail car. Various types of fall protection are available.

This situation can have many problems but they are all solvable by Safe Rack. The same problems exist at a single loading spot. A new problem occurs when the rail cars are not the same length. If the rail cars vary in length, where is the hatch location on any given car going to be? What combination of lengths will come in on the set of rail cars? The loading platform system must handle these variables.

Safe Rack’s experienced field representatives can help. The long list of variables can be determined and a solution provided. One possible solution is to mount the gangway on a track and carriage so it rolls up or down the platform until it aligns with the rail car. The loading arms must also fit the combination of rail cars. This can also be analyzed by Trans Bulk field representatives and a solution provided using loading arms with variable reach.

If you have problems caused by multiple rail cars, call Safe Rack for proven solutions.