Loading & Unloading Best Practices for UPRR ARMN Temperature Controlled Boxcars

Announcement Number: AG2012-50
Categories: Frozen and Refrigerated Products
Posted Date: June 6, 2012

TO: Union Pacific Shippers and Consignees Loading and Receiving UPRR Temperature Controlled Boxcars.

This is a reminder for shippers and consignee's loading and unloading product into Union Pacific's ARMN Temperature controlled boxcar fleet. There are a number of best practices to ensure the ARMN cars are not damaged and continue to operate in good order.

  • Weight Restriction(25,000 lbs Max) for Fork-lift and Payload in UPRR ARMN reefer equipment. Operators of fork-lifts are restricted to twenty five thousand pounds. The total gross weight of fork-lift plus payload shall not exceed the 25,000 lbs. limit. This will ensure the floors of the ARMN cars are not damaged during loading and unloading. The maximum weight of twenty-five thousand pounds applies to all reefer series, 50ft 70 ton, 50ft 90 ton, and 64ft.
  • Reducing ARMN Car Side Wall Damage. All loaders and unloaders should be advised not to damage the sidewalls of the reefer cars during loading and unloading. Length of fork on the lift and training of employees to properly load and unload reefer railcars are the responsibility of the shipper or receiver.
  • ARMN Car Cleaning & Dunnage Removal. Consignee's and receivers are reminded to clean and remove any shipping debris and dunnage of the car prior to empty release.
  • Reduction of MPS Fuel Use and Extended Usage Fee Charges. Union Pacific has prepared a best practices in ARMN car loading and unloading to help customers reduce the fuel use in the Mechanical Protective Services (MPS) units as well as mitigate / prevent any Extended Usage Fees on the MPS units. Click MPS Fuel Use and Extended Usage Fees to view details.
  • Damage Prevention Best Practices - Refrigerated Car Loadings. Click Refrigerated Loading and Damage Prevention Best Practices to view details.

For any questions regarding this bulletin, please contact your Union Pacific Sales Representative, or Jeff Poeppe Damage Prevention Engineer, at 402- 544-3592.

Union Pacific thanks you for your continued support. Handling your product safely and efficiently is important to us.