What particular issues could affect my application?

Apart from weather, temperature, grade and track curvature which can usually be calculated accurately and easily, other factors can affect railcar moving operations. Things such as track condition, track gauge, bed condition, number and type of switches you need to move through and what type of railcars are being moved can all have an effect on the number of railcars that can be moved safely.

The type of railcar being moved can affect pulling capacity by determining how many cars will be in a grade or curve at the same time, how much weight is available to transfer to a weight transfer railcar mover and how evenly the railcar consist's weight is distributed upon the track and road bed.

Box cars can vary from 50' 6" to 60' in length, weigh 30 to 35 tons empty and 110 to 143 tons fully loaded.

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Generally hopper and gondola cars average 40'6" to the center of the rail trucks and weigh 27 tons empty or 130 tons fully loaded. Jumbo hopper railcars commonly are 44' 4-1/2" on the truck centers and weigh 32 tons empty or 143 tons fully loaded.

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Tank cars, depending upon type can vary from 53' to 60' in length and weigh 30 - 35 tons empty with capacities of 95 - 102 tons.

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Automobile car carriers usually are 64' to the truck centers with an overall length of approximately 94'. In addition the empty railcar is lighter than the average hopper car and fully loaded is lighter than a comparable loaded hopper car.

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A typical container car is approximately 72' in length, 57' 6" to the truck centers, 27 tons unloaded and 110 tons fully loaded.

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Passenger and mass transit railcars average 60' to the truck centers with and overall length of approximately 85'. Car weight varies according to manufacturer, but averages 70 - 80 tons.