TM 55-2200-001-12
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NATO UNCLASSIFIED
b.
Immobilization of a train for loading or unloading. A train of wagons to be end-on loaded or unloaded must
be immobilized as follows :
(1)
Before loading or unloading begins, a check must be made to ensure that all the wagons are
securely coupled together, with the couplings screwed tight enough for all the buffers to be in
contact.
(2)
In the event of loading or unloading from a fixed or demountable end platform, the train in contact
with the platform must first be immobilized by one of the following methods s (a) by using the built-in-
platform coupling hook, if any ; (b) by placing a sufficient number of chocks to block the wheels of
the first wagon, on the platform side, and by applying the handbrakes of all wagons so equipped ; (c)
by positioning a locomotive, with its brake on, at the end of the train to hold it against the end
platform with buffers compressed.
(3)
When the whole train has been loaded or unloaded, a check must be made to ensure: (a) that the
first wagon is no longer attached to the platform coupling hook ; (b) that the chocks have been
removed and that all handbrakes have been released.
7.
Lateral platform loading and unloading
a.
Preliminary comments
(1)
The method of loading or unloading wheeled or tracked military equipment by means of a lateral
platform :
(a)
can only be used in exceptional circumstances, when there is no other possibility ; (b) is only
accepted by the railways in the case of military equipment weighing a maximum of 16 tonne.
(2)
Types of wagon used. The wagons are flat wagons with or without drop sides. For normal loads,
the wagon category must be equivalent to or higher than the category of the equipment to be loaded.
For exceptional loads, the wagons must be in the category or of the type specified by the
corresponding page in the book of sketches (*).
(*) These terms are defined in STANAG 2175.
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