TM 5-840-2
CHAPTER 7
TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES
7-1. General.
dependent upon the number of classifications and
the rate of train departures from the yard. Several
Railroad operations are an essential part of the
short classification tracks are more efficient than a
operation of a storage depot; not only do they
few long ones. The classification yard should be
allow the efficient movement of large, bulky items,
double-ended wherever possible. Details of the
they also provide for economical movement of
track layouts necessary to construct a classification
large quantities of goods by a minimum number of
yard are found in TM 5-850-2/AFM 88-7, Chap. 2.
operating personnel. It will be necessary to design
d. Departure tracks. Departure tracks are de-
railroad facilities that will move freight from the
signed on the same principles as receiving tracks,
main line of the serving railroad to warehouses and
and accommodate trains for inspection, air test, and
open storage locations within the depot. The design
attaching of locomotive and caboose prior to
chosen will depend upon the size and purpose of
departure. Civilian practice calls for air lines to test
the yard and the size and topography of available
the brakes before arrival of the locomotive. Military
sites. Advantage should be taken of relatively level
trains may be run directly from the classification
and well-drained sites in order to reduce the
tracks and the departure tracks omitted, or the
amount of earthwork.
receiving tracks can double as departure tracks.
The number of tracks is based on rate of
7-2. Trackage requirements.
classification and train departures. The length is a
a. Access lines. Access lines will extend from
function of train length and available space.
the serving railroad to the boundary of the depot.
e. Track to warehouses and storage areas.
Their construction will be either at the expense of
Tracks to warehouse and storage areas should lead
the serving railroad, the Government, or both. If
away from the classification yard and serve every
the expense is assumed by the serving railroad, the
warehouse and open storage area where goods
design will be approved by the Government.
carried by rail may go. When planning switches and
Construction of access lines during the early por-
curves for this type track, TM 5-850-2 should be
tion of the construction phase of a depot will
consulted. The space between parallel warehouses
provide a means of transporting construction mate-
(on the track side) will be sufficient for two house
rials to the site. If the length of the access track is
tracks, a third track to facilitate switching
greater than 8 km (5 miles), a decision should be
operations, and a 4 m (12 ft) wide single road.
made as to whether dual tracks or single track with
Track layouts between the warehouses will provide
passing siding should be constructed.
a connection at only one end of the warehouse area
b. Receiving tracks. Receiving tracks are used
except where terrain or operating conditions
to accept the rail shipment onto the depot and to
require a double-end connection. At all single-end
separate cars for processing in the classification
lines, bumpers will be constructed to prevent trains
yard. The number of receiving tracks required is
from leaving the end of the track. For open end
determined by the anticipated density of inbound
storage areas, there will be at least one track
traffic under worst-case conditions and the rate at
running through the storage area with the required
which cars can be classified. The length of receiv-
number of platforms to load and unload cars. See
ing tracks should be long enough to accommodate
chapter 5 for greater platform details.
the maximum length train. These tracks should
f. Wyes and tail track. Wyes are track layouts
have direct access to the engine house. They may
that are used in lieu of turntables for turning of cars
be connected to, or considered part of, the classifi-
and locomotives. They consist of the main track,
cation tracks. As a means of testing air brakes,
two turnouts, and a stem or tail track, as shown in
compressed air lines should be installed in receiving
figure 7-1. In depot operations the tail track is
tracks.
made long enough to accommodate a locomotive
c. Classification tracks. Classification tracks are
and between 10 and 20 cars.
provided for sorting and forwarding of cars to
g. Engine shelter tracks. The engine shelter will
storage areas and warehouses. They are also used
be served by the number of tracks necessary to
to collect and assemble cars that are prepared for
accommodate the number of locomotives utilized
shipment from the depot. The length and number of
at the depot. The shelter will be close to the
tracks necessary for a classification yard are
7-1
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