Project Profile: SafeRack Gangways on Patriot Rail Transloader
Patriot Rail, an operational company for short-line and regional freight railroads and rail services, uses mobile transloaders as part of their services to transfer chemical liquids between trucks and rail in the field.
| Customer | Patriot Rail |
| Industry | Rail Services and Transloading |
| Application | Chemical Liquid Transfer from Truck to Railcar |
| Products | SafeRack gangways and safety cages |
Loading/Unloading Transloader
Transloaders are mobile units that transfer goods from one mode of transportation to another, such as from a truck to a railcar or vice versa. As a mobile platform, they can be outfitted with equipment for specific needs such as grounding protection, overfill monitoring, and metering for custody transfer. They are integral to the logistics of industries like rail, shipping, and freight by facilitating the movement of bulk materials, liquids, or other products between different transportation methods.
This transloader is equipped with a bottom loading hose for unloading tanker trucks and a loading arm that top loads railcar tanks. Operators can bulk transfer chemicals and liquids directly in the field, and safely access the top of vehicles. Transloading is especially valuable when goods must switch transport systems en route to their final destination.
SafeRack Gangways:
- Gangway 1: Installed on the transloader for accessing the top of the railcar. Easily lowering onto the top of the railcar with a 2-rail safety cage designed to sit securely on top of the railcar’s crash box, ensuring operator safety while accessing the top valves, hatches and fittings.
- Gangway 2: This gangway is configured for accessing the top of the tanker truck. It is equipped with a 4-rail safety cage, providing fall protection and a secure platform for operators to access the truck’s top hatch, which is necessary for venting during the unloading process.
Both gangways exceed OSHA standards, ensuring that Patriot Rail’s transloading operations meet stringent safety regulations.
Patriot Rail – An operations company for short line and regional freight railroads and rail services
Patriot Rail operates over 30 regional short line freight railroads and rail-related services companies, with more than 1,200 rail miles across the United States. Their service capabilities extend to freight and railcar storage, transloading, warehousing, industrial development, track access, and excursions. With the increase in international trade and the complexity of logistics, transloading has become a critical component of Patriot Rail’s operations, requiring reliable equipment that ensures both efficiency and safety.
Operational Benefits
- Enhanced Safety: The SafeRack gangways provide secure, OSHA-compliant access to both the railcar and tanker truck, minimizing the risk of falls and ensuring safe operational procedures.
- Efficiency: The dual-hose transloading system allows for quick and efficient transfer of chemicals, reducing downtime and improving overall throughput.
- Versatility: The ability to access both railcars and trucks with specialized gangways makes the transloader a versatile solution for Patriot Rail’s diverse transloading needs.
