Block train

From Supply Chain Management Encyclopedia

Russian: Маршрутная отправка

Block trains (routes) or routing from places of loading is one of the most important and efficient ways of organization of loaded car traffic volumes. Uniform cargoes and cargoes of different description can be routed. Block train is a train of a fixed weight and length formed in accordance with the Railroad Operation Rules and Plan on Formation of Definite Purpose Cars subject to passing at least one train station without rehandling. Quantity of cars are determined from the formula:

Where:

• = dead load to a car, t/car;
• = weight of a car tare, t;
• =gross weight of the cargo to be routed, t;
• m = a quantity of cars.

Routing is the most perfect way of transportation considering a lot size to be dispatched from a client. As a rule, additional reduction factors are assumed for route transportation of shipment.

Route Classification

Routes from places of loading are classified according to the following features:

• By way of organization:
  • Block trains that are loaded and formed by one or more consignors at one station or one non-public railway track;
  • Step routes that are loaded and formed by one or more consignors at non-public railway track with joining car groups at a connecting station or loaded at several stations of a rail junction or section with conjunction at a base station;
  • Ccircular routes are fixed train formations circulating between one lading station and one unloading station on a shuttle working basis
• By destination:
  • Direct routes that are formed from the cars intended for one receiving station;
  • Direct sectional routes that are formed from the cars at a station of the same section;
  • “dispersed ones” that are formed from the cars intended for several receiving stations and subject to be broken up at the train (distributing) station that are the closest to the unloading area;
• By length of course:
  • Network routes that are within several regions (ways);
  • Routes within one way that follow within one region (of the way).

Route Planning

A consignor shall submit the required number of copies of the freight transportation order by routes. The order includes:

• Description of a cargo;
• Dispatch station;
• Consignor’s name;
• Date of car supply;
• Route destination railway;
• Delivery station or “disperse” station;
• Quantity of routes and cars according to the days of loading.