1.5. SUMMARY
The initial planning for a rail operation in a theater begins in
the zone of interior, and the plan, based on whatever intelligence
data are available, is necessarily broad. Once the invasion has
begun and rail units are phased into the theater, rail planning moves
from the ZI to the theater, where it is integrated into the overall
theater transportation plan. As changes in the rail system develop
and more information becomes available, the plan is modified and
becomes more specific and detailed. The greatest modification of the
plan results from an onthespot reconnaissance made by the TRB
commander, selected personnel from his unit, and intelligence
personnel from higher rail units when necessary. The new information
and the modified plan are passed up the TRS chain of command where,
at each level, the plan and the data are consolidated with those from
other railway units.
Because of the large tonnage movement capability of a railroad,
rail operations should begin as soon as possible after the theater is
established. Without fairly accurate planning, however, there might
be serious delay in beginning the operation. A planner may not
always have all the information he would like to have to plan his
operation, but he can make assumptions based on what information he
does have and on records of experience gained in rail operations in
previous theaters.
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