Chapter 1 Introduction

TM 55-203

PART ONE

GENERAL

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

each comment to insure understanding and complete

1-1. Purpose and Scope

evaluation. Comments should be prepared using DA

Form 2028 (Recommended Changes to Publications)

a.

This manual provides information and

and forwarded direct to the Commandant, US Army

guidance to personnel concerned with the operation,

Transportation School, ATTN: Director of Doctrine

inspection, and maintenance of Department of the

Development, Literature and Plans, Fort -Eustis, Virginia

Army-owned continental United States railway intraplant

23604.

freight equipment, and interchange freight and

passenger equipment. It describes the principal parts of

1-3. Responsibilities

freight cars and passenger cars and gives detailed

instructions for their inspection and maintenance. It

a.

The Military Traffic Management and

includes basic details of car construction and describes

Terminal Service (MTMTS) is responsible for the

types of light and heavy repairs. Necessary equipment

control, distribution, utilization, and maintenance of, and

for maintenance and repair is described, and pertinent

the accountability for railway freight and tank cars that

forms are illustrated and explained. Instructions are

are owned or leased by or loaned to MTMTS and

given for standard painting, lettering, and numbering of

assigned to the Defense Freight Railway Interchange

freight cars and passenger cars.

Fleet (DFRIF).

b.

The material presented herein is applicable

b.

The US Army Mobility Equipment

without modification to both nuclear and nonnuclear

Command (MECOM) is responsible for the maintenance

warfare.

of utility rail equipment used by the Army and other

Department of Defense (DOD) agencies having

1-2. Modifications

Interservlce Support Agreements with MECOM, and for

the operation of the Mobile Rail Repair Shops (MRRS)

Users of this publication are encouraged to submit

to provide direct and general support maintenance to

recommended changes and comments to improve the

such equipment, as provided by AR 700-53.

publication Comments should be keyed to the specific

page, paragraph, and line of the text in which the

change is recommended. Reasons will be provided for

1-1