Section 1: Background

Section 1.

BACKGROUND

Introduction.

a. Railroad Operations and the Navy Mission. The use of steel rails and wheels as a

method of transporting commodities is almost as old as the U.S. Navy itself. Although the

designs and materials that make up a railroad system have evolved and been refined over the

years, the concept and advantages of rail transportation remain unchanged. It is often the most

efficient way to move large volumes of materials and lends itself to transporting bulky or heavy

objects.

The Navy's need to maintain internal material movement capability and to sustain increased levels

over potentially long periods is often best filled by rail-based operations. In addition, many

ongoing operations in production, loading, unloading, building and repair rely heavily on various

rail-based systems for transportation needs.

It should be note that much of the Navy's equipment is over 40 years old. Navy rail rolling stock

that does not currently meet FRA standards will be programmed and budgeted for upgrade as

soon as practical, considering existing Navy funding and scheduling priorities.

b. Navy Rail Operations. The installations with internal railway operations include a

wide range of physical plants and operating requirements. Naval activities that utilize rail can be

divided into three basic categories.

(1) Ordnance related: Weapons Stations, Weapons Support Centers, and Ordnance

Stations.

(2) Operation Support: Shipyards, Submarine Bases, and Air Stations.

(3) Others: Construction Battalion Centers, Supply Centers, and Public Works

Centers.

The Naval Weapons Stations are the largest users of rail with over 70% of the Navy's railroad

mileage. The movement of ordnance and related functions of a rail network on a Naval Weapons

Station is similar to that of a short line commercial operation complete with mainlines and

classification yards. However, there are also many unique aspects such as piers, bunkers, and

barricades that put special demands on the conduct of a safe operation.

Naval Shipyards also represent a significant portion of Navy rail with approximately 10% of the

Navy's railroad mileage. Shipyards are similar to commercial industry rail facilities, with track

going in and around buildings, shared right-of-ways with roads, many depressed switches in the

roads, and many close clearances and tight curves, both vertical and horizontal. However, there

are also many unique features to shipyards, including the transport of a variety of hazardous

commodities, ranging from radioactive water to various petroleum products, shared rails with

cranes, and the need for coupler extensions on some extremely tight curves. The wide variety of

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