Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Flat wagon
open-in-new
<h2 id="international-uic-classification">International UIC classification</h2> <p class="note">Main article: <a href="/facts/UIC_classification_of_goods_wagons/FHr7UteQ">UIC classification of goods wagons</a></p> <p>Flat wagons are classified by the UIC into: </p> <ul><li>Ordinary goods wagons with category letters "K", "O" and "R", and</li> <li>Special goods wagons with category letters "L" and "S".</li></ul> <p>The main difference between the ordinary and special types of flat wagon is that the former always have to have a flat deck that can be driven on, whereas the special types do not have to be so designed. Within both types of flat wagon, there are variants with separate axles as well as bogie wagons. </p><p>In addition numerous other terms are used to classify flat wagons according to their purpose, but without clear and comprehensive specifications. </p> <h3>UIC standard goods wagons</h3> <p>Attempts by the International Union of Railways (UIC) to standardise flat wagons go back to the 1950s. These efforts led to the establishment of characteristics for so-called "standard wagons". Standardised flat wagons are specified in the following UIC pamphlets: </p> <ul><li>UIC 571-1 – Standard wagons – ordinary two-axle wagons<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a></li> <li>UIC 571-2 – Standard wagons – ordinary bogie wagons<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a></li> <li>UIC 571-3 – Standard wagons – Special-purpose wagons<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a></li> <li>UIC 571-4 – Standard wagons – Wagons for combined transport<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a></li></ul> <p>The implementation of these guidelines is partly binding and partly voluntary for members of the UIC. Since the end of 1977, flat wagons that partially conform to these guidelines are identified by the designation "UIC". Flat beds that comply fully with the leaflets, and are therefore true UIC standard wagons, are given the designation "UIS St". </p> <h3>K: Ordinary two-axle flat wagons</h3> <p>The Class K flats were originally one of the largest families of goods wagons, not least in Germany, thanks to the many older type stake wagons (stanchion wagons) that were assigned to it. The bulk of their work has since been taken over by special flat wagons. By 1998, <a href="/facts/Deutsche_Bahn/oF3Fe2bV">DB</a> only had 10,000 of this type left. </p><p>The majority of ordinary two-axle flat beds built since the 1950s were those with folding sides and short swivelling <a href="/facts/Side_stake/geYzBbmQ">stanchions</a> of UIC type 1 with, at least in Germany, an <a href="/facts/Axle_base/hIFIsmMa">axle base</a> of only 8 metres (26 ft 2+15⁄16 in). </p> <table><tbody><tr><th></th><th colspan="4">UIC 571-1: Ordinary two-axle wagons</th></tr><tr><th>Wagon type</th><th>Type 1</th><th>Type 2</th><th>Type 3A</th><th>Type 3B</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/UIC_class/FHr7UteQ">UIC class</a></th><th>Ks</th><th>Kns/Kjns</th><th>Kins/Kijns</th><th>Kilns/Kijlns</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Axle_base/hIFIsmMa">Axle base</a></th><td>9.00 m29 ft 6+3⁄8 in</td><td>10.00 m32 ft 9+3⁄4 in</td><td>10.00 m32 ft 9+3⁄4 in</td><td>10.00 m32 ft 9+3⁄4 in</td></tr><tr><th>Length over <a href="/facts/Buffer_(rail_transport)/1IcxPJpl">buffers</a></th><td>13.86 m45 ft 5+5⁄8 in</td><td>16.55 m54 ft 3+5⁄8 in</td><td>16.55 m54 ft 3+5⁄8 in</td><td>16.55 m54 ft 3+5⁄8 in</td></tr><tr><th>Loading length, min.</th><td>12.50 m41 ft 1⁄8 in</td><td>14.5 to 15.1 m47 ft 6+7⁄8 in to 49 ft 6+1⁄2 in</td><td>14.5 to 15.1 m47 ft 6+7⁄8 in to 49 ft 6+1⁄2 in</td><td>14.5 to 15.1 m47 ft 6+7⁄8 in to 49 ft 6+1⁄2 in</td></tr><tr><th>Loading area, about></th><td>35 m2380 sq ft</td><td>41.3 to 43.0 m2445 to 463 sq ft</td><td>41.3 to 43.0 m2445 to 463 sq ft</td><td>41.3 to 43.0 m2445 to 463 sq ft</td></tr><tr><th>Own weight, max.</th><td>13.5 t13.3 long tons; 14.9 short tons</td><td>16.0 t15.7 long tons; 17.6 short tons</td><td>17.5 t17.2 long tons; 19.3 short tons</td><td>17.5 t17.2 long tons; 19.3 short tons</td></tr></tbody></table> <p>In recent years new K wagons have been developed. These have fixed ends and a tarpaulin cover and are therefore also suitable for <a href="/facts/Hygroscopy/1NBGewXv">hygroscopic</a> goods. Their designation is <i>Kils</i>, based on the <a href="/facts/UIC_classification_of_goods_wagons/FHr7UteQ">UIC classification of goods wagons</a>. </p><p>In addition to the normal letters indicating length and weight (k, kk, n, m and mm) the Type K may also have the following index letters: </p> <ul><li><i>b</i> – with long (side-)stanchions (usually designed as insertable <a href="/facts/Stanchion/geYzBbmQ">stanchions</a>)</li> <li><i>i</i> – with removable cover and non-removable ends (tarpaulin wagon) and</li> <li><i>l</i> – without stanchions</li> <li><i>p</i> – without sides (not used with i)</li></ul> <h3>L: Special flat wagons with separate axles</h3> <p>Today this class contains: </p> <ul><li>Three and four-axle car transporters (see below) with one or two decks, and</li> <li>Two-axle container wagons</li></ul> <p>Only of historic significance, by contrast, are pod wagons (see below) and cradle wagons (see below). As a rule, L wagons do not have stanchions. </p><p>The most important <a href="/facts/UIC_classification_of_goods_wagons/FHr7UteQ">index letters</a> for basic classification of current types are: </p> <ul><li><i>a</i> – articulated wagon with 3 axles,</li> <li><i>aa</i> – double wagon with 4 axles,</li> <li><i>d</i> – fitted out for the transport of motor cars without deck,</li> <li><i>e</i> – with decks for the transport of motor cars (<a href="/facts/Bilevel_rail_car/SQuSktQo">double decker</a>),</li> <li><i>g</i> – fitted for the transport of containers (Container wagons).</li></ul> <p>The <a href="/facts/Union_internationale_des_chemins_de_fer/oSlgdIJk">UIC</a> has standardised three types of L wagon, the Class Lgss being based heavily on the Class Ks (see above): </p> <table><tbody><tr><th></th><th colspan="2">UIC 571-3:Special goods wagons</th><th>UIC 571-4:Wagons for combined transport</th></tr><tr><th>Wagon type</th><th colspan="2">Double-decker for vehicle transport</th><th>Container wagon</th></tr><tr><th>Type</th><th>Type 1 − Double wagon</th><th>Type 2 − Articulated wagon</th><th>Type 5</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/UIC_Class/FHr7UteQ">Class</a></th><th>Laaes</th><th>Laes</th><th>Lgss</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/Axle_base/hIFIsmMa">Axle base</a></th><td>2 × 9.00 m29 ft 6+3⁄8 in</td><td>2 × 10.40 m34 ft 1+1⁄2 in</td><td>9.00 m29 ft 6+3⁄8 in</td></tr><tr><th>Length over buffers</th><td colspan="2">27.00 m88 ft 7 in</td><td>13.86 m45 ft 5+5⁄8 in</td></tr><tr><th>Loading length, min.</th><td colspan="2">26.5 + 26.1 m86 ft 11+1⁄4 in + 85 ft 7+1⁄2 in</td><td>12.52 m41 ft 7⁄8 in</td></tr><tr><th>Own weight, max.</th><td>30.0 t29.5 long tons; 33.1 short tons</td><td>27.0 t26.6 long tons; 29.8 short tons</td><td>12.0 t11.8 long tons; 13.2 short tons</td></tr></tbody></table> <h3>O: Mixed open flat wagons</h3> <p>The standard mixed open flat wagon group has folding sides, stanchions and two or three axles. </p><p>The most important index letters for this group are: </p> <ul><li><i>a</i> – with 3 axles,</li> <li><i>k</i> – maximum load < 20 t (20 long tons; 22 short tons)</li> <li><i>kk</i> – maximum load 20 to 25 t (20 to 25 long tons; 22 to 28 short tons)</li> <li><i>l</i> – without stanchions</li> <li><i>m</i> – loading length 9 to 12 m (29 ft 6+3⁄8 in to 39 ft 4+1⁄2 in)</li> <li><i>mm</i> – loading length < 9 m (29 ft 6+3⁄8 in)</li> <li><i>n</i> – with 2 axles: maximum load > 30 t (30 long tons; 33 short tons), with 3 axles: maximum load > 40 t (39 long tons; 44 short tons)</li></ul> <p>The dimensions of the UIC standard wagon largely conform to the considerably more common Class Ks wagon (see above): </p> <table><tbody><tr><th></th><th>UIC 571-1: Ordinary two-axle wagons</th></tr><tr><th>Wagon type</th><th>Open/Flat multi-purpose wagon</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/UIC_Class/FHr7UteQ">Class</a></th><th>Os</th></tr><tr><th>Axle base</th><td>8.00 m26 ft 3 in</td></tr><tr><th>Length over buffers</th><td>13.86 m45 ft 5+5⁄8 in</td></tr><tr><th>Loading length, min.</th><td>12.61 m41 ft 4+1⁄2 in</td></tr><tr><th>Loading area, about</th><td>36 m2390 sq ft</td></tr><tr><th>Loading volume, about</th><td>29 m2310 sq ft</td></tr><tr><th>Unladen weight, max.</th><td>14.0 t13.8 long tons; 15.4 short tons</td></tr></tbody></table> <h3>R: Ordinary flat wagons with bogies</h3> <p>. </p> <p>The exclusively four-axle <a href="/facts/Bogie/Q5060jts">bogie</a> wagons of Class R are equipped with a solid, level deck, usually made of wood, and, unless indicated otherwise by the code letters, also furnished with stanchions and end walls. Most types have short, removable, swivelling stanchions. They are especially suited to the transport of long <a href="/facts/Steel/aN6qWo4H">steel</a> elements, <a href="/facts/Building_material/Kk7GB0KY">building materials</a>, <a href="/facts/Machine/wTCxFRfs">machines</a> and large <a href="/facts/Vehicle/jSIEqANL">vehicles</a>. In the 1990s, the <a href="/facts/Deutsche_Bahn/oF3Fe2bV">DB</a> purchased Class R wagons with long, sturdy, light metal stanchions and high end walls for the increasing amount of <a href="/facts/Trunk_(botany)/13Nq8CEC">log transport</a> required. In 1998, the DB had about 17,000 R wagons in service. </p><p>The most important <a href="/facts/UIC_class/FHr7UteQ">index letters</a> for distinguishing the basic types are as follows: </p> <ul><li><i>e</i> – with drop sides,</li> <li><i>g</i> – fitted for the transport of containers (Container wagons),</li> <li><i>h</i> – fitted out for the transport of steel coils, eye to side,</li> <li><i>i</i> – with removable cover and non-removable ends (tarpaulin wagon),</li> <li><i>l</i> – without stanchions,</li> <li><i>mm</i> – very short loading length (less than 15 m or 49 ft 2+1⁄2 in),</li> <li><i>oo</i> – with non-removable ends, 2 m (6 ft 6+3⁄4 in) or more in height and without covers (wagons for timber transport).</li></ul> <p>The <a href="/facts/Union_internationale_des_chemins_de_fer/oSlgdIJk">UIC</a> has specified two standard R wagons, both of which are very common e.g. in Germany. In the mid-1970s there was a switchover to newly built wagons with foldable sides. </p> <table><tbody><tr><th></th><th colspan="2">UIC 571-2: Ordinary four-axle bogie wagons</th></tr><tr><th>Wagon type</th><th>Type 1</th><th>Type 2</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/UIC_class/FHr7UteQ">Class</a></th><th>R(e)s</th><th>R(e)mms</th></tr><tr><th>Pivot pitch</th><td>14.86 m48 ft 9 in</td><td>9.00 m29 ft 6+3⁄8 in</td></tr><tr><th>Length over buffers</th><td>19.90 m65 ft 3+1⁄2 in</td><td>14.04 m46 ft 3⁄4 in</td></tr><tr><th>Loading length, min.</th><td>18.50 m60 ft 8+3⁄8 in</td><td>12.64 m41 ft 5+5⁄8 in</td></tr><tr><th>Loading area, about</th><td>51 m2550 sq ft</td><td>35 m2380 sq ft</td></tr><tr><th>Unladen weight, max.</th><td>24.0 t23.6 long tons; 26.5 short tons</td><td>22.5 t22.1 long tons; 24.8 short tons</td></tr></tbody></table> <h3>S: Special flat wagons with bogies</h3> <p>This is the largest group of flat wagons both in terms of variety and numbers. Their classification as special wagons arises either as a result of not having a wagon deck that is drivable or due to their axle count. Unlike the standard wagons, these flats are predominantly optimised for a specific purpose. In 1998 the <a href="/facts/Deutsche_Bahn/oF3Fe2bV">DB</a> had about 22,000 Class S wagons in its fleet. </p><p>The large variety of variants may be seen from the number of <a href="/facts/UIC_Class/FHr7UteQ">index letters</a>, of which only the most important are given here; i.e. those that are needed to distinguish the basic types: </p> <ul><li><i>a</i> – 6 axles,</li> <li><i>aa</i> – 8 or more axles,</li> <li><i>d</i> – fitted out for the transport of <a href="/facts/Motor_vehicle/AaXamA0w">motor cars</a>,</li> <li><i>g</i> – fitted for the transport of containers (Container wagons),</li> <li><i>gg</i> – fitted for the transport of containers, total loading length over 60 <a href="/facts/Foot_(unit)/XKamEGjV">ft</a> (18.29 m),</li> <li><i>h</i> – for the transport of steel coils, eye to side</li> <li><i>i</i> – with removable cover and non-removable ends,</li> <li><i>l</i> – without <a href="/facts/Stanchion/geYzBbmQ">stanchions</a> (optional in certain combinations),</li> <li><i>mm</i> – very short loading length (four-axle wagons < 15 m or 49 ft 2+1⁄2 in, otherwise < 18 m or 59 ft 5⁄8 in),</li> <li><i>p</i> – without sides (the use of this code letter is optional in certain combinations),</li> <li><i>r</i> – articulated wagon, three bogies.</li></ul> <h4>S wagons for heavy loads</h4> <p>These wagons are so designed that the loading is limited only by the class of railway line, not the wagon itself. In order to keep the <a href="/facts/Flexural_strength/tIhopMES">sag</a> as low as possible, they are relatively short and thus mainly inscribed with the index letters <i>mm</i>. </p><p>The six-axle wagons with drivable decks of class <i>Samm…</i> are similar to the four-axle Rmm wagons, but are grouped with this special class due to the number of axles. In the <a href="/facts/Deutsche_Bahn/oF3Fe2bV">Deutsche Bahn</a>, these mainly consist of RRym wagons with a 90-tonne (89-long-ton; 99-short-ton) payload. </p><p>In considerably larger numbers, and designed for transporting steel coils, are the four and six-axle wagons equipped with loading troughs of the class <i>S…hmm…</i>. Some have fixed end walls and removable covers in the shape of tarpaulins or telescopic hoods. The Shimmns708 serving with the DB, which is the most common German S wagon, has an unladen weight of about 23 t (23 long tons; 25 short tons) and a loading limit of 67 t (66 long tons; 74 short tons) and is thus able to carry coils with a total weight of about 45 t (44 long tons; 50 short tons). </p><p>The <a href="/facts/Union_internationale_des_chemins_de_fer/oSlgdIJk">UIC</a> has standardized a four and a six-axle telescopic hood wagon for the transport of coils. Such wagons have been used in Germany since the 1970s and 1980s respectively, but usually fitted with (light) tarpaulins instead of the hoods: </p> <table><tbody><tr><th></th><th colspan="2">UIC 571-3: Goods wagons of special type</th></tr><tr><th>Wagon type</th><th>Type 1 − four-axle</th><th>Type 2 − six-axle</th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/UIC_classification_of_goods_wagons/FHr7UteQ">Class</a></th><th>Shimmsto 1979: Shis</th><th>Sahimmsto 1979: Sahis</th></tr><tr><th>Pivot pitch</th><td>7.00 m22 ft 11+5⁄8 in</td><td>8.00 m26 ft 3 in</td></tr><tr><th>Length over buffers</th><td>12.04 m39 ft 6 in</td><td>15.00 m49 ft 2+1⁄2 in</td></tr><tr><th>Loading length, min.</th><td>10.80 m35 ft 5+1⁄4 in</td><td>13.76 m45 ft 1+3⁄4 in</td></tr><tr><th>Unladen weight, max.</th><td>22.0 t21.7 long tons; 24.3 short tons</td><td>34.0 t33.5 long tons; 37.5 short tons</td></tr></tbody></table> <h4>S wagons for combined transport</h4> <p>The group known as wagons for <a href="/facts/Combined_transport/7WGVGTMU">combined transport</a> have specific designs and equipment for the transport of the various transport units. The UIC has standardized several wagons, whose most important dimensions are given in the following table: </p> <table><tbody><tr><th></th><th colspan="8">UIC 571-4:Goods wagons for combined transport</th></tr><tr><th>Wagon type</th><th colspan="5">Container wagon</th><th colspan="3">Flat wagons for <a href="/facts/Piggyback_(transportation)/lApXjnPy">piggyback</a> services</th></tr><tr><th>Class</th><th colspan="2">Type 1with four axles, short</th><th colspan="2">Type 2with four axles, long</th><th>Type 4with six axles</th><th>Type 1<a href="/facts/Pocket_wagon/R7kbQpVB">Pocket wagon</a></th><th>Type 2<a href="/facts/Kangourou_wagon/mJeasy7j">Kangourou wagon</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a></th><th>Type 3<i>Wippenwagen</i></th></tr><tr><th><a href="/facts/UIC_classification_of_goods_wagons/FHr7UteQ">Class</a></th><th>Sg[kk]mmss</th><th>Sgjkkmmss</th><th>Sgss</th><th>Sgjss</th><th>Saggrss</th><th>Sksssince 1980: Sdkms</th><th>Skss</th><th>Saass</th></tr><tr><th>Pivot pitch</th><td>10.75 m35 ft 3+1⁄4 in</td><td>11.30 m37 ft 7⁄8 in</td><td>14.60 m47 ft 10+3⁄4 in</td><td>15.80 m51 ft 10 in</td><td>10.70 m35 ft 1+1⁄4 in</td><td>11.20 m36 ft 9 in</td><td>11.00 m36 ft 1+1⁄8 in</td><td>11.60 m38 ft 3⁄4 in</td></tr><tr><th>Length over <a href="/facts/Buffer_(rail_transport)/1IcxPJpl">buffers</a></th><td>15.79 m51 ft 9+5⁄8 in</td><td>16.94 m55 ft 6+7⁄8 in</td><td>19.64 m64 ft 5+1⁄4 in</td><td>21.00 m68 ft 10+3⁄4 in</td><td>27.10 m88 ft 10+7⁄8 in</td><td>16.44 m53 ft 11+1⁄4 in</td><td>16.24 m53 ft 3+3⁄8 in</td><td>31.87 m104 ft 6+3⁄4 in</td></tr><tr><th>Loading length, min.</th><td>14.50 m47 ft 6+7⁄8 in</td><td>14.60 m47 ft 10+3⁄4 in</td><td colspan="2">18.40 m60 ft 4+3⁄8 in</td><td>2 × 12.27 m40 ft 3+1⁄8 in</td><td>−</td><td>−</td><td>−</td></tr></tbody></table> <h5>Flat wagons for ISO containers and swap bodies</h5> <p>These wagons of Class <i>Sg…</i> are most common in combined transport. Their foldable trunnions (<i>klappbare Tragzapfen</i>) make them suitable for various transport systems. Some of these rail vehicles are equipped with long-stroke <a href="/facts/Shock_absorber/2FGD4PNh">shock absorbers</a> (<a href="/facts/UIC_Class/FHr7UteQ">index letter <i>j</i></a>) as special equipment for the protection of loads. </p> <ul><li>Wagons with a loading length of at least 18.40 m (60 ft 4+3⁄8 in) (Type 2 conforming to UIC norm 571-4) can carry <a href="/facts/ISO_container/797lTKzR">ISO containers</a> with a total length of 60 feet (18.29 m); the majority can also be used for the transport of <a href="/facts/Swap_bodies/2yxoBEqn">swap bodies</a>. The Deutsche Bundesbahn expanded its fleet in 2007 by 615 wagons of Class Sgns (delivered by March 2009) with the option for a further 600 wagons (delivery by 2010).</li> <li>On transporter wagons with a loading length of at least 14.50 m (47 ft 6+7⁄8 in) (Type 1 conforming to UIC norm 571-4) there are an A swap body, up to two C swap bodies or an ISO container with a corresponding total length place.</li> <li>For the transport of High Cube swap bodies and ISO containers with an inside height of 3 m (9 ft 10+1⁄8 in) wagons with especially low-lying loading areas and a loading length of 15.89 m (52 ft 1+5⁄8 in) have also been available since the 1990s.</li> <li>Two-part articulated wagons with 2 m × 16.10 m (6 ft 6+3⁄4 in × 52 ft 9+7⁄8 in) loading length can be loaded with swap bodies or ISO containers with a total length of 80 feet (24.38 m) (index letters <i>gg</i> and <i>r</i>).</li></ul> <p>The use of <a href="/facts/Kangourou_wagon/mJeasy7j">Kangourou wagon</a> and <i>Wippenwagen</i> remained restricted in the period from the 1960s to the 1980s, despite their utility in enabling horizontal cross-loading without <a href="/facts/Crane_(machine)/Q5axXY0l">cranes</a>, because at that time facilities for swap body cross-loading were still widely available in western Europe. </p><p>The <a href="/facts/CargoSprinter/NyAGNIjl">CargoSprinter</a>, conceived as a goods wagon for the transport of ISO containers, did not get any further than trials. </p> <h5>ACTS wagons</h5> <p>These wagons for the ACTS <a href="/facts/Roller_container/M2AVagH5">roller container</a> transport system with horizontal crossloading are common especially in Switzerland and the Netherlands. The Swiss wagons bear the national <a href="/facts/UIC_Class/FHr7UteQ">index letter</a> x. </p> <h5>Flat wagons for road vehicles</h5> <p>Flat wagons for road vehicles (Class <i>S…d…</i>) are less common, because this typ of combined transport is only efficient on certain routes. </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Pocket_wagon/R7kbQpVB">Pocket wagons</a> (Class <i>Sd[g]…</i>) are used specifically for the transport of <a href="/facts/Semi-trailer/p2E4Lumj">semi-trailers</a>. They may usually however be loaded either with ISO containers or swap bodies as required, thus avoiding empty running.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Low_floor/hp9gz5GK">Low floor</a> wagons for the <a href="/facts/Rolling_road/QxC4jS2r">rolling road</a> (Class <i>Saad…</i>) are suitable for loading entire <a href="/facts/Articulated_lorries/oCse8FW9">articulated lorries</a> including their <a href="/facts/Tractor_unit/NU8CNXkC">tractor units</a>. The necessary low floors required are achieved by using especially small wheel diameters in each of the four-axle <a href="/facts/Bogie/Q5060jts">bogies</a>. These make the wagons relatively expensive to build and maintain.</li> <li><a href="/facts/CargoBeamer/2jdQScPS">CargoBeamer</a>: This newly developed type of waggon (TSI conformity since 8/2010) enable the transport of semi-trailers, loading of which is automated by a tub (<i>Wanne</i>) and pulled parallel onto the railway wagon.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Kangourou_wagon/mJeasy7j">Kangourou wagons</a> are used specifically for the transport of semi-trailers.</li> <li><a href="/facts/Modalohr/YwNwpMKd">Modalohr</a> is used for specifically for the transport of <a href="/facts/Semi-trailer_truck/oCse8FW9">Semi-trailer trucks</a></li></ul> <h4>S wagons for special purposes</h4> <p>For the transport of <a href="/facts/Trunk_(botany)/13Nq8CEC">logs</a>, four-axle wagons with non-drivable decks and equipped with high, fixed stanchions are used (Class <i>Snps</i>). </p><p>Wagons with a flat deck for transporting assembled track sections, some of which are fitted with special equipment and used in <a href="/facts/Maintenance_of_way/erncmXfX">maintenance of way</a> trains, are usually classified as <a href="/facts/Departmental_wagon/1h6K8C7X">departmental wagons</a>. </p><p>Under some circumstances bucket wagons (<i>Kübelwagen</i>) are not classified as <a href="/facts/Open_goods_wagon/kotBjw5B">open wagons</a>, but grouped into Class S. </p><p>The group known as <i>Spreizhaubenwagen</i> (Sins, Sfins) are related to the <a href="/facts/Covered_goods_wagon/BL2nzndK">Sliding wall wagons</a> and, like them are for <a href="/facts/Hygroscopy/1NBGewXv">hygroscopic</a> goods, but have no fixed roof. The sliding walls taper inwards towards the top and are connected by an articulated joint so the walls can be spread and slid apart, so that one half of the wagon is entirely open and may be loaded or unloaded from the side by <a href="/facts/Forklift_truck/CJ56KPwX">forklift truck</a> or from above by <a href="/facts/Crane_(machine)/Q5axXY0l">crane</a>. </p> <h3>Flat wagons for specific purposes that are grouped under several classes</h3> <h4>Container wagons</h4> <p>Container wagons are flats specially fitted with securing equipment for transporting <a href="/facts/ISO_container/797lTKzR">ISO containers</a>. Depending on their design they may be grouped into classes <i>L</i>, <i>R</i> or <i>S</i>. Class <i>K</i> wagons are rarely used because even an 8-foot (2.438 m) high ISO container exceeds the European <a href="/facts/Loading_gauge/DWdNjFXB">loading gauge</a>. The presence of container pins is always indicated by the <a href="/facts/UIC_classification_of_goods_wagons/FHr7UteQ">index letter <i>g</i></a>. Only general purpose wagons that have to be specially prepared for container transport and have a drivable floor, are classed as standard wagons. Wagons that are exclusively used for container transport are classified as special types. In the latter case, the profile of the wagon underframe is left open and the container only rests on the beams and the trunnions. </p><p>Most container flats are designed to take standard 20 and 40 foot <a href="/facts/ISO_containers/l7tpAGqj">ISO containers</a>. Two-axle wagons of this type are able to carry two 20-foot or one 40-foot container; many four-axle wagons have room for three 20-foot or one 40-foot and one 20-foot container. </p><p>In India <a href="/facts/Double-stack_rail_transport/rxK2Bg98">double stacking</a> of containers is done on flat wagons instead of <a href="/facts/Well_car/KawtqkUa">well cars</a> under 7.5m high catenary because the wider <a href="/facts/5_ft_6_in_gauge_railway/X0ncpPKs">Indian Gauge</a> permits more height while keeping the centre of gravity still low.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p> <h4>Car transporters</h4> <p>Car transporters (US: <a href="/facts/Autorack/ko4BWMlR">autoracks</a>) are predominantly used for the delivery of factory-new <a href="/facts/Car/I1IsH8IK">cars</a> and <a href="/facts/Van/kprf6QXL">vans</a> to dealers. </p><p>Because cars are a relatively light form of freight, European car transporters have two decks and, despite their great length, only need at most three axles. Where there are three axles, the centre one rests on a swivel and the wagon has an articulated joint in the middle. The cars can be loaded over the joint. These wagons are open as a rule and are thus classified as flat wagons of Class L (see above). </p><p>Before the development of these specials, <a href="/facts/Open_goods_wagon/kotBjw5B">standard open wagons</a> were fitted with a second deck, the end walls were removed and pairs of wagons were permanently coupled in order to be used as car transporters. In Germany in the 1950s their capacity proved no longer sufficient for the transport of the <a href="/facts/VW_Beetle/6wCVPMdJ">VW Beetle</a>. As a result, engineers at <a href="/facts/Volkswagen/LDkDEfDu">Volkswagen</a> and <a href="/facts/Deutsche_Bundesbahn/4XW3yJyP">Deutsche Bundesbahn</a> jointly designed an extra long wagon for the transport of factory-new vehicles. The result was a wagon that could carry ten cars from the factory to the ports for export from 1958 onwards. </p><p>The <a href="/facts/Car-carrier_wagon/ko4BWMlR">car-carrier wagons</a> used in <a href="/facts/Motorail/KJunpEj3">motorail</a> trains are not classed as goods wagons despite their similar design. </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul> <li>Trains portal</li></ul> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Barrier_vehicle/HGj1zhAk">Barrier vehicle</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Bogie_bolster_wagon/IqzKcBBL">Bogie bolster wagon</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Class_U_special_wagon/vCGQ9g6T">Class U special wagon</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Conflat/HWER35Ko">Conflat</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Flatcar/ywHfrtda">Flatcar</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Flatbed_trolley/RFoAHX3s">Flatbed trolley</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Flatbed_truck/M3aK1fCN">Flatbed truck</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Goods_wagon/oxjBJWdX">Goods wagon</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Rolling_highway/QxC4jS2r">Rolling highway</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Side_stake/geYzBbmQ">Side stake</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Slate_waggon/Eamk0wms">Slate waggon</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Tie_down_strap/VqlJd0SQ">Tie down strap</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Transporter_wagon/2fLIp32n">Transporter flatcar</a></li></ul> <h2 id="literature-and-sources">Literature and sources</h2> <ul><li>H. Behrends: <i>Güterwagen-Archiv Band 1</i>. Transpress VEB Verlag für Verkehrswesen, Berlin, 1989.</li> <li>H. Behrends: <i>Güterwagen-Archiv Band 2</i>. Transpress VEB Verlag für Verkehrswesen, Berlin, 1989.</li> <li>Deutsche Bundesbahn: <i>Güterwagen, Großbehälter, Straßenroller</i>. Werbe- and Auskunftsamt für den Personen- and Güterverkehr, Frankfurt(Main), 1960.</li> <li>Gerd Wolff: <i>Die Autotransportwagen</i>. Güterwagen-Lexikon DB, EK-Verlag Freiburg, 1991 and 2005. <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 3-88255-654-4</li> <li>Stefan Carstens:<i> Die Güterwagen der DB AG – Zahlen, Fakten, Entwicklungen.</i>. MIBA-Verlang, Nuremberg, 1998</li> <li>Stefan Carstens: <i>Güterwagen Band 5. Rungen-, Schienen- and Flat wagons</i>. MIBA-Verlag, Nuremberg, 2008</li> <li>Wolfgang Diener: Anstrich and Bezeichnung von Güterwagen. Verlag Dr. Bernhard Abend, Stuttgart, 1992</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> Wikimedia Commons has media related to Flat wagons. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Coil wagons. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Container wagons. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Car transporters. <ul><li><a href="http://www.stinnes-freight-logistics.de/gueterwagenkatalog/index.html">DB-Güterwagenkatalog</a></li> <li><a href="http://dybas.de/">Dybas – Privates Güterwagenarchiv</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.drahtkupplung.de/gtbhb2454.html">Artikel über Behälter-Tragwagen auf Drahtkupplung.de</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.kombimodell.de/WiW-LE.html">Artikel über ISO-Container and Wechselbehälter auf Kombimodell.de</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Standard wagons - Ordinary two-axle wagons at www.uic.org. Accessed on 19 May 2013 <a href="http://www.uic.org/etf/codex/codex-detail.php?codeFiche=571-1&langue_fiche=E" target="_blank">http://www.uic.org/etf/codex/codex-detail.php?codeFiche=571-1&langue_fiche=E</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Standard wagons - Ordinary bogie wagons at www.uic.org. Accessed on 19 May 2013 <a href="http://www.uic.org/etf/codex/codex-detail.php?codeFiche=571-2&langue_fiche=E" target="_blank">http://www.uic.org/etf/codex/codex-detail.php?codeFiche=571-2&langue_fiche=E</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Standard wagons - Special-purpose wagons at www.uic.org. Accessed on 19 May 2013 <a href="http://www.uic.org/etf/codex/codex-detail.php?codeFiche=571-3&langue_fiche=E" target="_blank">http://www.uic.org/etf/codex/codex-detail.php?codeFiche=571-3&langue_fiche=E</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Standard wagons - Wagons for combined transport at www.uic.org. Accessed on 19 May 2013 <a href="http://www.uic.org/etf/codex/codex-detail.php?codeFiche=571-4&langue_fiche=E" target="_blank">http://www.uic.org/etf/codex/codex-detail.php?codeFiche=571-4&langue_fiche=E</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>http://roadmaster-087.skyrock.com/3197907081-SNCF-Kangourou.html Archived 2021-10-05 at the Wayback Machine Piggyback transport in the 60s video in French <a href="http://roadmaster-087.skyrock.com/3197907081-SNCF-Kangourou.html" target="_blank">http://roadmaster-087.skyrock.com/3197907081-SNCF-Kangourou.html</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Infra boost! Indian Railways conducts 1st trial of double-stack train on Rewari-Madar section of Western DFC". The Financial Express. 2020-01-03. Retrieved 2020-04-24. <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/infra-boost-indian-railways-conducts-1st-trial-of-double-stack-train-on-rewari-madar-section-of-western-dfc/1812021/" target="_blank">https://www.financialexpress.com/infrastructure/railways/infra-boost-indian-railways-conducts-1st-trial-of-double-stack-train-on-rewari-madar-section-of-western-dfc/1812021/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>