Shipping oversized and particularly heavy cargo by rail transporters

Some cargo transported by rail has dimensions or weight that do not allow it to be transported by standard types of rolling stock. Transporters have been specially created for such shipments.

What is transported on transporters and the geography of shipments

Typically, the cargo for transporters consists of products created for industrial enterprises or construction sites:

• Columns.
• Rotors and stators of power plants.
• High-power transformers.
• Military equipment.
• Other large and heavy cargo.

It is possible to transport cargo on transporters across the countries of the former USSR. When planning shipments to Europe, it is necessary to consider the difference in track widths and to think ahead about a solution to this problem.

Types of transporters

Transporters can be:

• Platform. The appearance of such transporters is distinguished by a landing platform located in a depression of the platform. Load capacity from 55 to 220 tons.
• Pit. In such transporters, the landing pit does not occupy the entire width of the platform but is limited on the sides and resembles a pit. Load capacity from 60 to 120 tons.
• Platform-type. Externally resemble a standard railway platform.
• Coupling. This type of transporter is designed for transporting long cargo. It consists of two supporting and several intermediate platforms. The ends of the cargo rest on and are secured to the supporting platforms. Load capacity up to 480 tons. Variants with 12, 16, and 32 axles are used.
• Articulated. This type of transporter consists of two platforms with consoles. They have hydraulic lifts that can be used during loading and unloading. Load capacity from 220 to 500 tons. Variants of articulated transporters with 16, 20, and 28 axles are used.

What factors influence the cost of transportation

The main factors affecting the cost of transporting cargo by rail transporter are: the distance of transportation, the specific type of transporter required, the weight and dimensions of the cargo. If a heavy and large cargo is moved on a transporter across the territory of several states, transit customs duties will also be taken into account when calculating the transportation cost.

If your company regularly ships similar oversized heavy cargo by rail, there is an option to reduce the cost of a single shipment. For this, the required modification of the transporter should be taken on long-term lease.