TE 4 Rail SOP.DOC

LOGISTICS READINESS SQUARDON

733RD MISSION SUPPORT GROUP

JBLE, FORT EUSTIS, VA 23604

April 1, 2019

STANDING OPERATING PROCEDURE

UTILITY RAIL OPERATIONS

1. PURPOSE: To establish procedure and provide guidance on Utility Rail Operations.

2. PROCEDURE:

a. Rail support will be provided to Fort Eustis via the following methods:

(1) Utility Rail Branch (URB), 733RD Logistics Readiness Division (LRD) will provide the base support rail mission of moving rail cars between the Lee Hall interchange and Fort Eustis; positioning cars at different locations on the installation to support 7TH Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) (7TH TBX) missions; rail support to the Deployment and Deployment Systems Deployment (DDSD) training program; and, support to contingency/ mobilization/deployment missions.

(2) The United States Army Transportation School (USATSCH): USATSCH will provide rail equipment in support of USATSCH training missions; provide training and certification to all rail personnel through the Army Rail Certification Training Course.

b. Requesting Rail Support: All requests for rail operations support will be routed from the requester to the URB. Requests for support will be submitted as soon as possible after the requirement is known. Requests for rail support should be submitted on “Request for Rail Support” form and send directly to the URB. The following information must be included on the request: Date, Time rail support is required, rail equipment required, location where equipment is required, if Utility Rail Train Crew is required; Organization supported, POC and telephone number.

(1) Routine requirements: Requests for support will be submitted 30 days in advance to URB. URB will notify LRD Transportation Branch.

(2) USATSCH: Requirements for equipment to support USATSCH training should be forecast approximately 90 days in advance. (Forecasts will be updated as required)

(3) Freight inbound/outbound: Requests should be routed to the LRD Transportation Branch, Unit Movements as soon as possible once the requirement is identified to LRD Freight Office.

(4) Emergency/Deployment/Mobilization: Requests should be forwarded to LRD as soon as possible after the requirement is known.

(5) Rail Request Log: URB will maintain a log for rail support requirements and make available to LRD.

(6) Supported organizations (7th TBX, USATSCH, CED etc.) will designate individual (s) by position, title, who will approve requests for rail support. The approved request constitutes authority for the transfer of funds to LRD for non-LRD funded missions. The USATSCH will fund for POL products (diesel and oils) consumed in locomotives supporting USATSCH rail training missions.

c. Processing Rail Requests:

(1) Receipt of Inbound Rail Cars: When notified by the Freight Office that rail car(s) destined for Fort Eustis have been spotted at Lee Hall, VA the following actions will be taken:

(a) LRD obtain from the Freight Office the exact on-post location the rail car(s) are to be spotted.

(b) URB will obtain clearance from CSX Transportation to operate the locomotive on the third rail of the interchange authorization to pick up rail car(s) located at Lee Hall that are consigned to Fort Eustis.

INTERCHANGE

To call CSX, dial 1-800-854-5696, when telephone is answered, caller will automatically be put on hold (if CSX is very busy, caller could be put on hold for up to 30 minutes). When CSX FI dispatcher comes on the line, inform the dispatcher that Fort Eustis Railroad needs access to the third rail at Lee Hall, VA, to (pick up/drop off) rail cars. Upon returning from Lee Hall, call the CSX dispatcher again and inform the dispatcher that the train is clear of the third rail at Lee Hall.

See Fort Eustis Military Railroad Timetable No.2 for track map and more instructions regarding interchange procedure.

(d) Utility Rail POC notifies LRD Transportation Branch when rail crew will proceed from Fort Eustis to Lee Hall interchange.

(e) Utility Rail crew proceeds to Lee Hall and return with all inbound rail cars and spot cars as directed by LRD Transportation Branch.

(f) Utility Rail POC notifies LRD Transportation Branch when the mission is completed.

(g) Utility Rail provides information telephonically or by radio to CSX Transportation, Inc., confirming that Government Owned equipment is clear of the Third Rail at Lee Hall.

(h) Utility Rail crew returns locomotive to Building 2750.

(2) Processing Outbound Requests:

(a) Requesters of rail support submit requirements through their approving authority to LRD Transportation Branch

(b) Rail Commitments requiring URB train crew: LRD Transportation Branch submits requirements to Utility Rail for confirmation.

(C) Upon completion of the mission, LRD Transportation Branch received confirmation from Utility Rail of total hours and exact cost of support (adjustment are made to funding documentation as appropriate).

d. Flagging RT 105 Railroad Crossings Grade:

Prior to the dispatch of a locomotive to pick-up rail cars at the Lee Hall Interchange; and, prior to locomotive returning to Fort Eustis from the Lee Hall Interchange, the train crew will contact the Security Forces, Telephone # 878-4555, and request that a patrol car be dispatched to the Fort Eustis main entrance at the RT105/rail crossing and control traffic at the site.

e. All Other Fort Eustis Rail Crossing Grades:

(1) The Brakeman will:

(a) While remaining on the train in a position that allows for maximum visibility of the crossing provide visual verification to the train engineer via radio communications that all vehicular and pedestrian traffic has come to a stop before the train enters the road crossing.

(b) At crossings where a vehicular road guard has been dispatched to protect a crossing, the brakeman is not responsible for traffic control (2.e. (1)(a) Above) as long as the vehicle being used is properly marked (rotating amber light and identifying sign), arrives at the crossing in sufficient time to safely bring traffic to a stop and the road guard crew is properly trained.

(c) Provide verbal communication to the engineer via radio and give appropriate hand signal (lamp signal during darkness), in sufficient time to allow the train to stop prior to the train running upon the road crossing should a hazard exit.

(d) Wear a reflective vest during rail operations

(2) The Locomotive Engineer will:

(a) Ensure positive communication with the brakeman via radio and other signal prior to entering any rail crossing.

(b) Once cleared to enter a crossing by the brakeman, and before moving locomotive, sound the bell and start appropriate whistle; both are to be sounded until the road crossing is cleared by the locomotive or first car, if cars are being shoved.

f. Exercise of Rolling Stock: Rolling stock will be moved a minimum of 500 feet monthly. The exercising of equipment will be accomplished by the use of equipment to support missions.

g. Maintenance of equipment: The following procedure will be followed for the maintenance of equipment.

(1) Utility Rail will perform organizational maintenance on locomotives assigned to the LRD Transportation Branch and USATSCH.

(2) Utility Rail will perform inspections of air brake equipment on assigned locomotives and will prepare the following forms:

(a) DD Form 862, Daily Inspection Worksheet for Diesel Electric Locomotives and Locomotive Cranes.

(b) DD Form 2404, For all maintenance preformed and weekly inspections.

(c) Utility Rail will maintain the Instillation Car Movement Record, ICMR.

(3) The U.S. Army Troop Support Command will perform direct and general support maintenance on rail equipment.

(4) Pre-maintenance inspection of utility rail equipment will be conducted annually by TACOM.

(a) Defense Generator Rail Center (DGRC) Hill AFB, UT, is appointed by TACOM to provide personnel, tools, and parts to perform annual inspections of equipment and repair deficiencies found during inspection.

h. Safety: All personnel will comply with safety procedure outlined in: General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) Sixth Edition, Fort Eustis Military Railway Timetable No. 2, Logistics Readiness Division, Standard Operating Procedure Utility Rail Operations; and Safety Messages (Risk Assessments).

i. Petroleum, Oils and Lubricants (POL) Products: All POL products will be requested through the LRD Installation Property Book Office and/or the Installation HAZMART facility.

3. Responsibility: The Chief, Transportation Branch is responsible for the efficiency of utility rail operations. Utility Rail crew is responsible for proper and safe assignment of personnel and equipment that they will use to perform the Fort Eustis rail support mission.

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