Rail transport is an important component of the economy of any country. It accounts for almost half of all transported goods. This is one of the safest ways to transport large volumes of cargo. Almost any type and volume of cargo is transported by rail, including bulk, bulk and oversized. For these purposes, there are various types and sizes of railway cars. The main disadvantage of railway transportation is the attachment to certain routes. In many respects, the volume of a railway carriage determines the cost of transporting a unit of cargo.
Covered wagons
The purpose of covered wagons is the transportation of piece goods (household goods, household appliances, clothes, furniture, etc.) and grain of a wide range, which need protection from atmospheric precipitation and mechanical damage. Covered wagons are equipped with hatches and doors to facilitate loading and unloading. The volume of a covered railroad car of the standard 4-axle model 11-066 is 86.4 m 3 to the level of hatches and 120.15 m 3 - the total volume taking into account the roof with the overall dimensions (L x W x H) in mm: 13800 x 2760 x 2791. The carrying capacity of such wagons is 68 tons. For the transport of special goods, such as animals, poultry, there are specialized covered wagons with the necessary additional equipment.
Covered hopper cars are designed to carry any bulk cargo. These are covered bunker-type wagons made in the form of a funnel. Loading is made from above, unloading is done from below, through special hatches at the bottom, which are called "hoppers". The internal volume of the railway hopper car is 93 m 3 . Wagons of this type are ideal for transporting cement, soot, and grain.
Gondola cars
Railway gondola cars are designed to transport goods that do not require protection from atmospheric influences: automobiles, equipment and machinery, bulk and bulk cargoes. Gondola - a railway platform with sides, but without a roof. The absence of a roof greatly facilitates loading and unloading, which, depending on the load, can be carried out by car dumper. The volume of a railway car of this type is 75 m 3 with a carrying capacity of 69 tons. In modern railway transportation, gondola cars with six and eight axles, with a carrying capacity of 95 tons and 125 tons, respectively, are also used. The design of gondola cars can be different: straight blank walls, inclined walls, a flat floor with unloading hatches, without them, with hatches on the sides. For bulk cargo, self-unloading hopper gondola cars are also used.
Isothermal and refrigerated wagons
Covered railway wagons intended for the transportation of perishable goods that need to comply with the temperature regime (meat, fish, fruits, etc.) are isothermal or refrigerated wagons. The volume of a refrigerated railroad car , depending on the model, is in the range from 75 to 130 m 3 . To maintain the required temperature, the case of isothermal cars is sheathed with special thermal insulation. Refrigerated cars are equipped with refrigeration units, with the help of which the required temperature conditions are maintained.