25 Sep 2025

Train Loadings on Bridges for US Army Installations: Guidance

Abstract: Railroad bridges on US Army installations must be rated to determine the safe load limits for the trains that utilize them. In addition to the standard Cooper E-80 loading required by the Federal Railroad Administration, specific locomotives and railcars that use the bridges must also be considered in the load ratings. For that purpose, this report documents the authors’ efforts to compile detailed dimensional- and axle-loading data on all Army-owned locomotives and railcars and then to develop a set of Army-specific rail equipment loadings for use in bridge load ratings. This report provides a detailed description of the data compilation and load development process that resulted in the Army-specific rail equipment loadings.