I would like Indian Railways to evaluate this idea/concept for implementation.
Sub-Containers or Capsules
for fast Loading of Freight on Trains
Som Karamchetty, PHD [1]
Summary:
By designing,
building, and deploying Sub-containers or Capsules as described in this
document, Indian Railways can load and unload cargo rapidly at rural and urban rail
stations and thus assist rural and urban communities with their shipping needs.
Problem:
Current
manual loading and unloading of freight is a manually intensive and slow
process. It holds up rolling stock at stations and the goods are exposed to the
environment while waiting for trains or trucks. Although Intermodal Containers
(8 feet by 8 feet 6 inches by 20 feet) are quite common, they require heavy
handling devices, which are not economical at most small stations.
Solution:
Sub-Containers
(called Capsules herein after) that are of one-half, one-third, or one-quarter
size of the main container can be handled very easily as explained in the
following. For example, the one-half sized capsule is 8 feet 6 inches in
height, 4 feet wide and 10 feet long. Such capsules can be pushed on to or off
rail flat cars within a few seconds. Furthermore, by providing casters (or
rollers) at the bottom of these capsules, they can be loaded and unloaded
manually. After loading on to the flat cars, the capsules can be appropriately
anchored to the floor of the flat car for stability with anchor bolts or
straps.
The system
and method of handling are described by means of the following figures.
Figure 1 shows one-half sized capsule(s), which can be loaded on to a loading dock (platform) or
unloaded from the back of a truck in seconds. The same capsule can be loaded onto
or unloaded from a flat rail car within a few seconds.
Figure 2 shows a One-third sized capsules waiting on a
loading dock.
Figure 3: Four One-quarter sized Capsules
waiting on a loading dock.
Figure 4:
Rural produce packed into the sub-containers or capsules.
Figure 5: Small flat-bed trucks can drop off
or pickup capsules containing rural produce from the loading and unloading
docks at small rail stations.
Figure 6: Capsules are provided with eyelets
at the bottom to make it easier to push or pull them on loading docks, and
floors of containers and truck beds.
Features and Benefits:
•
Faster
loading and unloading of freight (cargo, goods).
•
Minimal
direct handling of freight prevents damage to, pilferage, and spoilage of
freight.
•
Freight
(goods) train can make brief stoppages at many big and small stations and
deliver freight.
•
Elimination
or reduction of waiting time of railway rolling stock at sidings of stations,
increases turnaround of rolling stock.
•
Reduces
security costs.
•
Freight
(cargo or goods) platforms can be smaller in size leading to cost reductions.
•
Reduction
of waiting & loading times for trucks and tractors increases their
turnaround.
•
Reduction
of inventory costs.
•
Faster
supply chain.
•
Excellent
financial performance in transportation and handling of freight by the railways
and other transporters.
•
Rural
supplies can reach urban markets fairly rapidly, in good quality, and easily.
•
Design,
development, and utilization of Capsules together with containers, has
technical, operational, and economic merits.
Conclusions:
·
Time is
money.
·
Space is
money.
·
Rolling
stock is money.
·
Freight
is money.
Recommendations:
The concept should be explored and evaluated
by the Indian Railways.
By developing the concept on a Public Private
Partnership (PPP) basis, Indian Railways, organizations, and businesses can own
the technology and gain economically by exporting such systems globally.
Contact:
For further
explanation, please contact Som Karamchetty, PHD, the author and inventor of
the concept.
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