LOADING, BLOCKING, AND BRACING ON RAIL CARS

INTRODUCTION
Cargo is blocked and braced to make it as stationary as possible during rail shipment. Unrestrained on a flatcar, cargo would be flung off the side on a curve, or pounded to rubble by bouncing, or hurtled forward in a sudden stop. The loading is done according to carefully detailed rules and specifications of the Association of American Railroads (AAR). The shipper of military freight finds a ready source of information in the AAR's Rules Governing the Loading of Commodities On Open Top Cars and in the many Army manuals on the subject. This subcourse introduces you to the regulations,
illustrating them with examples of military cargo commonly shipped by flatcar. After studying lesson materials, you should be able to describe the construction of a typical flatcar and to list the loading rules of the AAR having the greatest significance for the military shipper. You should also be able to apply the principles and procedures for shipping military
vehicles on flatcars.