Industrial Railway Safety Conference Loading Rack Design Considerations April 29 th, 2015

TERMINOLOGY Loading rack/loading platform = stair/platform operators use to get up to the tankcars. Gangway (aka drop downs, ramps, walkways, gantry's, bridges, platforms) = walk surface operator is using to get out to the tankcar dome. Crash box = railing on top of tankcar around dome. Gangway tracking = system that allows gangway to track along the length of the platform parallel to the tankcar (allows for mispotting of tankcar). Loading arm = flexible piping system operators are using to hook up to tankcar to load/unload.

CENTERLINE One of the biggest challenges we see is not allowing a large enough centerline. Greenfield versus retrofit. Single sided loading rack ~ the centerline is the distance from face of the loading rack/platform to the center of rail tracks. Double sided loading rack ~ the centerline is the distance from the center of one set of rail tracks to the other. Why it’s important/what it drives ~ staying out of rail envelope. Ideal centerline is 10’ ~ we can work with shorter/longer. Rule of thumb ~ 10’ plus the width of the platform (i.e. on single sided loading rack with 5’ wide platform a 15’ centerline is ideal, on a double sided loading rack with a 7’ wide platform 27’ is ideal). To long of a centerline can have an impact on the gangways (spring balance) and loading arms (reach).

TYPICAL RAIL ENVELOPE

TANGENT VERSUS CURVE Typically loading racks are built on a tangent/straight run of tracks (preferred). Can design for the curve/radius but there is a limit (12° is the max). Tracking gangways on a curve becomes difficult. Platform is built on a tangent/in straight sections with mitred corners. Curves increase cost. Usually requires additional gangways because the gangways then often have to track past a column which is difficult to do.

TANKCARS/SPOTTING Tankcar information/variances. Need to have good data on min/max lengths & heights of tankcars ~ longest car length plus # of spots drives overall platform length. Rail service provider doing the spotting versus spotting with own locomotive or trackmobile. Car spotting. 2 types, uncoupled and coupled.  Uncoupled means breaking and spotting the tankcars cars at the gangway.  Coupled means the tankcars are staying connected and the gangway has to pick up any mispotting.  Drives gangway design ~ fix mounted gangway versus tracking gangway.

TYPE OF LOADING/ TYPE OF OPERATION Loading or unloading.  Top loading/unloading versus bottom loading/unloading. Splash filling versus tight connection ~ aka atmospheric loading versus closed loop (recovering vapor). Loading with hoses versus loading arms. Has a relationship with gangway tracking.

SPLASH FILL TIGHT FILL

TAKEAWAYS Engage the loading rack supplier upfront. Allow us to assist in the design or offer suggestions.