Boxcar

The covered wagons ( covered goods wagon or van) is a railway freight cars whose cargo space is constituted by an enclosure by the side walls and the roof box. These cars are preferably used for the transport of goods that are to be protected against the weather, loss or theft. In addition, however, they were also used for the mass transport of people - mainly armies or paramilitary organizations they used to transport troops. Inglorious notoriety they gained through the use in the deportation during the time of German National Socialism (see also " cattle car "). Movable-roof wagons and refrigerated trucks are the covered wagons used constructively partially close.

Boxcars are used mainly for cargo transport and are almost as old as the railways in Europe itself, since cargo were usually transported cargoes in the early days of the railroad, provided the boxcar the most important freight wagon type; they made ​​up in the 1960s, about 40 % of the total stock of many railway companies. In the meantime, however, the open freight cars and flat cars are far more common than the boxcar. In contrast to these, the boxcar in the majority are still two axes, as the relatively light loading goods require no bogie wagons. Information about the development history of the boxcar in Germany can be found in the articles: Normalie (railway), freight cars, the association type, freight cars, the interchange design, freight cars welded construction, freight cars, the war construction, freight cars of the Deutsche Reichsbahn, freight cars of the Deutsche Reichsbahn of the GDR.

All freight cars that participate in international traffic within the UIC railway companies shall be marked in accordance with the UIC regulations, among other things uniform with a UIC generic characters and a car number.

Boxcars are divided into:

• Boxcar rule type, characterized by the generic letter "G", and
• Boxcar Special types, characterized by the generic letter "H".

• 3.1 Schiebewandwagen
• 3.2 Older cars that have been assigned to special type H 3.2.1 crate Cart
• 3.2.2 Covered wagons with end doors
• 3.2.3 cars in Leig units
• 3.2.4 wagons for transport to the UK

Standard wagons of the International Union of Railways ( UIC)

From the International Union of Railways standardized vehicles were developed in the 1950s. To this end, in 1950 with an international research and testing office, the ORE (Office de Recherches et d' Essasis ), has been established. This development also led to the unification of the main dimensions of future ordinary wagons. The results were recorded in UIC leaflets that could be applied by the UIC members mandatory or voluntary. Indoor unit freight cars are in the leaflets

• UIC 571-1 - Standard wagons - wagons in standard design with two wheels,
• UIC 571-2 - Standard wagons - wagons fitted with bogies of the standard design, and
• UIC 571-3 - Standard wagons - wagons in special design included.

You have predetermined dimensions, certain technical properties, and the components used must be made of certain materials. Many European railway companies procured (ed) since cars to the UIC leaflets - they are called UIC standard car. These boxcars are built according to the drawings of ERRI ( European Rail Research Institute), will address the " UIS St" (previously " St UIC "). Wagons which conform to international standardization determination, but are not built completely according to UIC 571 are marked with the inscription " UIC " since the end of 1977, the old label was previously "St".

Boxcar usually type G

Properties

In the group of covered wagons of standard design, by the generic letter G, includes all goods vehicles with a flat underbody, all around solid and closed walls and sliding doors on the sides. The structure was initially a wood-steel composite construction, later, the all-steel construction.

Depending on the number of axles particular load lengths and load limits are considered " normal" case:

• With 2 axles: Effective length 9-12 m, load limit 25 to 28 t
• With 4 axles: Effective length 15 to 18 m, load limit 50 to 60 t
• At ≥ 6 wheelsets: Effective length 15 to 18 m, load limit from 60 to 75 t

All deviations by the generic letter added letters expressed.

In the upper third of the side walls are closable openings of different designs. They can be designed as a ventilation opening tailgate or combined Lade-/Lüftungsöffnung. Rule detention, the wagons have at least 8 vents. The presence of less than eight vents encoded by the letters l, so that these freight cars are then labeled as " Eq ."

Several UIC standard wagons have been defined, which are shown in the following table. All have at least 8 combined Lade-/Lüftungsöffnungen that are closed by UIC standard slider. The standard G - wagon dates back to the early 1950s. Gbs The car was only standardized in the 1960s at the urging of the ÖBB and NS. Unlike many other types but only the dimensions are standardized, while there are dozens of different designs for the box beam.

( 1) The assignment of HBFS - car (special type ) and standard 571-1 ( standard design ) is contradictory, however, was taken from the only available source. (2) Different source: Wheel base 6.00 m, width 2.50 m door, door height 2.15m. For this, there is neither a source nor a known reference wagon. ( 3) The original Standard wrote 1.80m Door height and was not changed until the mid-1950s to 2.00 m.

Thus, for example, were the boxcar with the type designation Gs 210 of the DB, new cars or modifications of older freight cars that were built in 1961 by the UIC leaflets. Many of these cars emerged from the car type Gmhs30 (Gs Opole ) and from the 1949 Tatra built in Czechoslovakia wagon type Gms39 ( Glms 202). The structure was mostly a wood-steel composite construction, the cargo area doors already had the required width of 2.00 m. The carrying capacity of these cars was 25 t and they had eight ventilation flaps. This series may have slight differences in the design because of the use of old parts.

Use

In the second half of the 20th century, the covered wagons of standard design have been largely replaced by other types of wagon, so they only have local or historical significance in Europe today.

The transport weather sensitive cargo in crates, sacks and barrels put her main application dar. disadvantage is that the single door does not allow rapid loading and unloading of large packaging units. The need for boxcars decreased with the increasing spread of combined transport. Today, most cargo is transported in ISO containers, are available for the special flat cars available. For the direct loading of cargo, however, prefers Schiebewandwagen (see below) are used which allow a faster handling of entire pallets by forklift.

Frequently covered wagons were loaded with coarse weather -sensitive bulk goods. Especially for the transport of grain retention walls had been developed, with which the side doors could be closed. Today are Selbstentladewagen movable-roof available, which can be faster loading and unloading for this purpose.

For the transport of express and mail boxcars were often beige provides passenger trains. For this part, special types exist that are possessed, for example, through appropriate braking systems or heating cables. In many cases cattle were transported in box cars. For this, a good ventilation was required, which is why cars with initially at least four, later eight vents were used.

Boxcar Special types of H

All boxcar satisfying neither the rule type G still feature insulation in terms of a thermal protection car include the special type H.

Depending on the number of axles particular load lengths and load limits are considered " normal" case:

• With 2 axles: Effective length 9-12 m, load limit 25 to 28 t
• With 4 axles: Effective length 15 to 18 m, load limit 50 to 60 t
• At ≥ 6 wheelsets: Effective length 15 to 18 m, load limit from 60 to 75 t
• For articulated or carriage units with 2 elements: Gesamtnutzlänge 22 to 27 m

All deviations by the generic letter added letters expressed. Here are b and bb for a larger load length, k or kk for a smaller load limit and n is a greater load limit. Since the definition of the " normal case " by the UIC is several decades old, are now the wagons bearing the index letters b or bb and n in the majority.

Schiebewandwagen

• Generic characters: K ... g ...
• UIC -class mark: H ... i ...

Today's common carriage for moisture-sensitive goods on pallets has no solid side walls but sliding walls to allow the entire cargo area to load and unload from the side. This Schiebewandwagen do not represent further development of the original covered wagons, but emerged in the 1950s from the sunroof sliding wall wagon, which is why they were originally assigned to the German principal class K.

The German railway has about 15 000 Schiebewandwagen. Until the early 1980s -built cars have partitions without a loading area of 34.1 square meters and can accommodate a maximum of 30 Euro -pallets (letter b). Newer models, the dimensions have been optimized: At 41.0 m² loading area ( without partitions ) can be up to 40 Euro -pallets transport (letter bb ).

In addition to optimal use of the cargo area, the trend is towards large-volume cars that take advantage of the clearance profile maximum. It should be noted that different approved Lichraumprofile in many countries that restrict the interoperability of these vehicles. Approved for UK cars, have a very small gauge and are designated with the letters f ff or fff. Elsewhere, there are smaller gauges than in Germany, for example, transit traffic through Switzerland to Italy, for which the DB also holds up special wagons.

Often Schiebewandwagen are equipped with charging protection walls that prevent shifting of the cargo in the vehicle longitudinal direction (letter l) and locked in part are (letter II). They also offer effective support if the car is not fully loaded. By the presence of partition walls, the loading surface is reduced.

As UIC standard wagons following four-axle sliding wall wagon has been normalized:

Older cars that have been assigned to special type H

These cars were developed in line with the normal covered wagons for special purposes and were always numerically less significant. All types were already present at the launch of the UIC classification in the 1960s, were assigned to H and almost completely phased out by the end of the 20th century due to certain features of special design.

Crate Cart

• Generic characters: until 1921 Ve ... 1922 V ...
• UIC -class mark: H ... e ...

While for the transport of cattle and other livestock either open or covered wagons in standard design found using special crate cars were designed for small animals in the 19th century. The approximately 2 m high loading space is thereby optimally utilized by pigs, goats and sheep are loaded on two levels. Some cars more shelves were assembled for the transport of poultry.

The designs closely followed the contemporary boxcar. Externally the most striking feature two-axle wagon shed were the wide gaps between the boards of the walls, which ensured good ventilation. Partitions allowed by many types a vertical division of the load compartment. In the side walls were located according to the number of compartments multiple feeding and ventilation flaps.

Today, no more crate cars are in use, because animal transports the greater speed and flexibility were largely shifted to the road because in the meantime.

Covered wagons with end doors

• Generic characters: Lieutenant ..
• UIC -class mark: H ... c ...

Many types boxcar variants were built with end doors in the 1920s to the 1960s. In particular, these were the two-axis Eq cars and four-axle vehicles including their successor GG- design of the DR as well as a series of 600 Umbauwagen for DB. The original purpose of the wagons was the transportation of the then mostly open brand-new cars as early as the late 20th century there was no more need for this type of car.

Cars in Leig units

• Generic characters: Gll ...
• UIC -class mark: H ... - ... z

The Leig units were taken during the German Reichsbahn from the 1920s from existing boxcars and were vehicle units. For detailed information please see the article on the cargo - speed traffic.

Cars for transport to the UK

• Generic characters: Gf ... later Gb ...
• UIC -class mark: H ... f ...

The covered wagons for the transport of goods with the UK keep a the local smaller gauge and therefore have a lower load capacity than comparable cars to transport within continental Europe. The wagons with single sliding doors have been replaced here by modern Schiebewandwagen. In Germany they were called earlier Fährbootwagen.