or top and bottom edges of load to prevent damage. When the
Inside length 40 feet 20 feet long 40 percent
load does not occupy the full width of the car, the vacant space
Inside length 50 feet 25 feet long 40 percent
should be equally distributed on each side of the load. Floor
(E) Weight of material loaded in either end of the car
blocking must be applied to each side of the load in order to
between the truck centers and ends of car must not exceed 15 percent
prevent lateral creeping.
of the stenciled load limit for cars built prior to 1 January 1966, and 25
(5) Semifloating loads are prepared in the same
percent for cars built subsequent to 1 January 1966.
manner as "floating loads" except that the units are loaded against
(F) When length of load is less than the distance between
the end walls of the car with a space left in the doorway area.
truck centers and the load is not located in the center of the car, the
3.
General Rules
center of the load must not be nearer to either truck center than shown
(As contained in AAR circular 42-D or supplements thereto)
below:
}
Rule 1. Inspection and Selection of Cars.
50 percent
Any place between truck
(A) Cars must be inspected either before they are placed for
or less
centers.
loading or at the loading point to see that they are in suitable
60 percent
1/6the distance between
condition to carry the loads safely to destination.
When
truck centers.
load
66.6 percent 1/6 the distance between
(B) (1) Cars for loading heavy or concentrated weight must
weight
truck centers.
be inspected by the originating carrier either before they are
is
75 percent
1/6 the distance between
placed for loading or at loading point to see that they are in
reduced
truck centers.
suitable condition to carry the loads to destination.
to
87 percent
1/6 the distance between
(2) When ordering cars for loading heavy or concentrated
truck centers.
commodities, shippers have the responsibility of notifying serving
90 percent
9/20 the distance between
carriers of this purpose and of not loading any cars not inspected
truck centers.
per Rule l(BX1).
(G) When the load is lapped or staggered between truck centers
(3) Cars selected for loading commodities of heavy or
and covers about the full length of the car, and the weight of the load
concentrated weight must meet the following requirements:
does not exceed the stenciled nominal capacity of the car, Rule 3(C)
wooden floors of boxcars built after January 1957, or rebuilt after
need not apply.
1 January 1964, must be at least 2M inches thick and must have
(H) When crosswise bearing pieces are used, the distance
at least 3-inch full length steel Z sections weighing 6.7 pounds per
between the outside bearing pieces (center to center) must exceed the
foot, or three steel I sections weighing 5.7 pounds per foot (or
minimum distances specified in above Rules (C) and (D) for that
other sections of equivalent strength) as longitudinal floor
percentage of the stenciled load limit being loaded.
stringers on each side between center and side sills. Effective
January 1975, the above requirement will apply to all boxcars in
(I) The distance between crosswise bearing pieces (center to
interchange. However, on special cars having a different type of
center) under lapped or staggered loads must be placed so as to
underframe, two longitudinal floor stringers on each side between
prevent excessive concentration of weight over specified spaces
center and side sills may be used, provided the overall strength of
shown in above Rules (C) and (D).
the floor is not less than that of a floor with three stringers as
(J) Bearing pieces, lengthwise of car, extending beyond the
specified in the foregoing.
lading, may be used in order to distribute the weight of the lading over
Rule 2. Clearance, Side Bearing, Loaded Cars.
a greater area. In such cases "length of bearing pieces" is substituted
There must be sufficient clearance between the side
for "length of load" in above Rules (C) and (D). Bearing pieces must
bearings to permit free curvature of the trucks.
definitely be of suitable strength and continuous.
Rule 3. Maximum Load Weight.
Rule 4. Distribution of Weight Crosswise of Car.
(A) The weight of a load on the car must not exceed the load
(A) The load must be located so that the weight along both sides
limit stenciled on the car.
of car is about equal for the entire length of the load.
(B) The weight of load on one truck must not exceed one-
(B) When the load is of such character that it cannot be placed
half of the load limit stenciled on the car. In case of doubt, the
so as to obtain equal distribution of weight crosswise of car, suitable
weight of the load must be verified by weighing.
ballast, properly secured, must be used to equalize the weight.
(C) The percentages of stenciled load limits shown below
(C) Unless otherwise specified in the closed car loading
must not be exceeded for loads located between truck centers,
pamphlets covering methods for loading, blocking, and bracing
unless the car owner has designated by note in the Official
carload shipments of individual commodities, where vacant space
Equipment Register (app B) that these percentages may be
across the car, between piles, and between load and car sides exceeds
changed (fig 42).
a total of 18 inches, the load must be secured so as to prevent moving
or tipping towards sides of car.
Length of load
Percentage of load
(D) (1) Cars equipped with adjustable side wall fillers at
limit
diagonally opposite sides of car, for filling void space crosswise of car,
10 feet to 20 feet
50
may be used providing such space does not exceed 15 inches.
20 feet to 24 feet
60
(2) Cars equipped with full side wall fillers at both sides in
24 feet to truck centers
75
both ends of car, for filling void space crosswise of car, may be used
Truck centers to full length of car
100
provided such space does not exceed 6 inches from each side of car.
(D) The following percent of load limits shall apply for
Rule 5. Loading, Blocking, and Bracing.
staggered double-door cars built prior to 1 January 1966, except
as provided in (A) and (B).
(A) All lading must be secured so that it will not come in contact
with side doors, or roll or shift in transit, either crosswise or lengthwise,
except that a shift of lading is permissible when the load is secured as
a floating unit. In
24
