gallon car operates on narrow-gage railroads, while the 10,000-gallon
one runs on standard- to broad-gage tracks.
The car manufacturer
assembles the tank unit to the car underframe along with the outlet
and safety valve assemblies and dome cover.
The remaining work can
be done in the field.
It consists of assembling and applying the
following: subcenter sill and center plate to the tank and underframe
assembly; tank and underframe assembly to the trucks; miscellaneous
items such as brake equipment supports to underframe; parts to end
sill; airbrake to underframe; body side bearings, shims, and wear
plate to body bolster; and such miscellaneous items as tank ladder
and braces to tank car body and tank.
2.15.
SUMMARY
Experience in World War II proved that the Army must be
prepared to supply its own locomotives and rail cars in a theater of
operations since many foreign countries have just enough rail
equipment to support their own needs. Military tonnage requirements
placed on these rail systems would not only exceed the capabilities
of their equipment and facilities but also create near chaos in their
operations. Therefore, to meet emergencies, the U.S. Army inventory
contains a fleet of railway equipment specially designed and built
for use in theaters of operations where standard- to broad-gage
railroads are operated.
In developing the foreign service equipment, designers found
that physical characteristics of foreign railroads would influence
size and capacity. They decided that a capacity of 30 tons was best
for equipment that would operate on narrow-gage railroads and 40 tons
for equipment operating on standard to broad gages; however, only the
40-ton fleet was procured.
The cars were fabricated, punched, and
drilled at carbuilders' shops to provide for easy assembly in a
theater.
They can be shipped knocked down to conserve shipping
space.
Major components and assemblies are interchangeable.
With
minimum modification to the coupling arrangement and by substituting
trucks or altering trucks to fit different gages, the 40-ton
equipment can operate on from standard- to broad-gage track ranging
from 56 1/2 to 66 inches.
The flatcar is the basic unit of the knockdown fleet. It can
serve as a regular flatcar during early theater operations.
When
theater activities stabilize and other types of cars are needed, the
flatcar can be converted in the field to a gondola or boxcar.
Gondolas can be assembled by adding sides and ends to the flatcar.
Depending on the height desired, either the high- or low-side gondola
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