View source for Engineering:Well car

{{Short description|Type of railroad car}}
[[File:Intermodal train 01.jpg|thumb|40 foot containers in well cars on the BNSF line through La Crosse]]

A '''well car''', also known as a '''double-stack car''' (or also '''intermodal car'''/'''container car'''), is a type of [[Engineering:Railroad car#Freight cars|railroad car]] specially designed to carry [[Engineering:Intermodal container|intermodal container]]s (shipping containers) used in [[Engineering:Intermodal freight transport|intermodal freight transport]]. The "well" is a depressed section that sits close to the rails between the [[Engineering:Bogie|wheel trucks]] of the car, allowing a container to be carried lower than on a traditional [[Engineering:Flatcar|flatcar]].  This makes it possible to carry a stack of two containers per unit on railway lines ([[Engineering:Double-stack rail transport|double-stack rail transport]]) wherever the structure gauge assures sufficient [[Engineering:Engineering tolerance#Clearance (civil engineering)|clearance]].  The top container is secured to the bottom container either by a bulkhead built into the car — possible when bottom and top containers are the same dimensions, or through the use of inter-box connectors (IBC). Four IBCs are needed per well car. In the terminal there are four steps: unlock and lift off the top containers of an inbound train, remove the bottom containers, insert outbound bottom containers, lock assembly after top containers emplaced. Generally this is done car-by-car unless multiple crane apparatus are employed.

Advantages to use of well cars include increased stability due to the lower center of gravity of the loads, lower [[Physics:Tare weight|tare weight]], and in the case of articulated units, reduced slack action.

Well cars are most common in [[Earth:North America|North America]] and {{wipe|Australia}} where intermodal traffic is heavy and [[Engineering:Railway electrification system|electrification]] is less widespread; thus [[Engineering:Engineering tolerance#Clearance (civil engineering)|overhead clearances]] are typically more manageable. In India double stacking of containers is done on [[Engineering:Flatcar|flatcar]]s under {{cvt|7.45|m|ftin|frac=8}}-high catenary because the wider {{Track gauge|5ft6in|lk=on}} gauge permits more height while keeping the centre of gravity still low.<ref>{{Cite web|url=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/|title=Infra boost! Indian Railways conducts 1st trial of double-stack train on Rewari-Madar section of Western DFC|date=2020-01-03|website=The Financial Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 2009|title=Reaching up|url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/nc/news/single-view/view/reaching-up.html|publisher=Railway Gazette International|page=17}}</ref>

== History ==
Southern Pacific Railroad (SP), along with SeaLand, devised the first double-stack intermodal car in 1977.<ref name=CudahyB-TRN-2006-Sep-Oct>Cudahy, Brian J., - [http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/trnews/trnews246.pdf "The Containership Revolution: Malcom McLean's 1956 Innovation Goes Global"]. - ''TR News''. - (c/o National Academy of Sciences). - Number 246. - September–October 2006. - (Adobe Acrobat *.PDF document)</ref><ref>[http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/uprr-chr.shtml Chronological History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810170628/http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/history/uprr-chr.shtml |date=2006-08-10 }} - Union Pacific Railroad Company</ref> SP then designed the first car with ACF Industries that same year.<ref>Kaminski, Edward S. (1999). - ''American Car & Foundry Company: A Centennial History, 1899–1999''. - Wilton, California: Signature Press. - {{ISBN|0963379100}}</ref><ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-9055386.html "A new fleet shapes up. (High-Tech Railroading)"]. - ''Railway Age''. - (c/o HighBeam Research). - September 1, 1990</ref> At first it was slow to become an industry standard, then in 1984 American President Lines started working with the Thrall Company to develop a refined well car and with the Union Pacific to operate a train service using the new well cars. That same year, the first all "double stack" train left {{wipe|Los Angeles}} for South Kearny, New Jersey, under the name of "Stacktrain" rail service. Along the way the train transferred from the UP to CNW and then to Conrail.

== Multiple unit cars ==
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 | footer = [[Engineering:Articulated car|Articulated]] well cars for 53 foot intermodal containers
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Each unit of a double-stack car is contains a single well; they often are constructed with three to five cars connected by articulated connectors. The intermediate connectors are supported by the centerplate of single trucks, often a {{cvt|125|ST|LT t|0|adj=on}}-capacity truck but sometimes a {{cvt|150|ST|LT t|0|adj=on}}-capacity one.  

Also, in a number of cases multiple single-well cars (usually 3 or 5) are connected by [[Engineering:Drawbar (haulage)#Rail|drawbars]] and share a single [[Reporting mark|reporting mark]]. Alternatively the multiple single-well cars each share a single [[Engineering:Bogie|truck]].

On both types of multiple-unit cars, the units are typically distinguished by letters, with the unit on one end being the "A" unit, and the unit on the other end being the "B" unit. Middle units are labeled starting with "C", and going up to "E" for five-unit cars starting from the "B" unit and increasing towards the "A" unit.

Autonomous trains and terminals have been proposed.<ref>{{cite web|last=Stevens|first=Bill|title=Intermodal startup envisions autonomous double-stack trains and terminals |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/intermodal-startup-envisions-autonomous-double-stack-trains-and-terminals/|date=June 15, 2023|publisher=Kalmbach|work=Trains Newsletter|access-date=June 15, 2023}}</ref>

== Carrying capacity ==
[[File:Container_sizes.jpeg|thumbnail|right|53 ft, 48 ft, 45 ft, 40 ft and 20 ft containers stacked]]
Double-stack wellcars come in a number of sizes, related to the standard sizes of the [[Engineering:Intermodal container|containers]] they are designed to carry. Well lengths of {{convert|40|ft|m|2|abbr=on}}, {{convert|48|ft|m|2|abbr=on}} and {{convert|53|ft|m|2|abbr=on}} are most common. A number of {{convert|45|ft|m|2|abbr=on}} wells and {{convert|56|ft|m|2|abbr=on}} wells also exist. (The sizes of wells are frequently marked in large letters on the sides of cars to assist yard workers in locating suitable equipment for freight loads.)

Larger containers (45&nbsp;ft or up) are often placed on top of smaller containers fitting in the available wells to efficiently utilize all available space. All wells are also capable of carrying two 20&nbsp;ft ISO containers in the bottom position.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://worldtraderef.com/WTR_site/Rail_Cars/Guide_to_Rail_Cars.asp |title=World traderer |access-date=2011-03-20 |archive-date=2011-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111031040725/http://worldtraderef.com/WTR_site/Rail_Cars/Guide_to_Rail_Cars.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111007195551/http://worldtraderef.com/WTR_site/Rail_Cars/Guide_to_Rail_Cars.asp Guide to Rail Cars]</ref>

Some double-stack well cars have also been equipped with [[Engineering:Fifth-wheel coupling|hitches]] at each end that allow them to carry [[Engineering:Semi-trailer|semi-trailer]]s as well as containers. These are known as "all-purpose" well cars.

Articulated well cars typically have a capacity of {{convert|120000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} per well. Highway weight limits in the US restrict most containers to less than {{convert|60000|lb|kg|abbr=on}} so this is adequate for two containers stacked. Some single well cars have capacity for two fully loaded {{convert|32500|kg|lb|abbr=on}} containers.

==Econo Stack or Twin Stack well car==
Econo Stack (a brand name of Gunderson) well cars are a variation of conventional well cars which feature a bulkhead at each end; their main purpose is to give the double-stacked containers more support. A disadvantage is they do not allow 53-foot containers to be stacked on top; however, 45-foot containers still fit and can be stacked on top.  As the empty weight of bulkhead cars is significantly higher than other well cars, they are now unpopular with railroads.

=== Gallery ===

<gallery heights="160" mode="packed" caption="Well car applications and '''well car types">
File:Freight train in Tucson Arizona 2.JPG|A train of well cars in Arizona carrying double-stacked containers
File:WellCarWithTruckTrailerHitchCanadianPacificTrainBoltonON.jpg|A 53-foot well car also fitted with a [[Engineering:Fifth-wheel coupling|fifth-wheel coupling]] to allow [[Engineering:Semi-trailer|semi-trailer]] transport as well
File:Gabarit AAR Plate-H.png|AAR Plate-H [[Engineering:Loading gauge#Freight|loading gauge]]<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210224215901/https://my.aar.org/OTLR/Documents/Section%201/Section1AppendixA_20200826.pdf Appendix A]</ref>
File:Freight train in Jacksonville, FL.jpg|A container train passing through Jacksonville, Florida, with 53' containers used for shipments within North America. Showing one shared [[Engineering:Bogie|truck]]
File:Intermodal shipping containers on a railway flat car.jpg|A well car loaded with two forty-foot containers of Transportación marítima mexicana (TMM)<ref>[https://www.maritime-database.com/company.php?cid=244388 Transportación marítima mexicana (TMM)]</ref>
JacobsBogieArticulatedWellCarCanadianPacificTrainBoltonON.jpg|Closeup of a [[Engineering:Bogie|truck]] with four specially adapted [[Engineering:List of railroad truck parts#Side bearing|side bearings]]<!-- Not a Jacobs bogie --> and an articulated connector between two sections of an articulated well car 
APM Terminals WJ Grimes.JPG|Loading of double deck container trains at the APM Terminal of Portsmouth in Virginia.
</gallery>

== Usage ==
* {{AUS}} – double stack trains operate between Perth, [[Place:Adelaide|Adelaide]], Darwin and Parkes, NSW<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://parkes.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/double-stacked-to-perth/1228119.aspx |title=Parkes article on double stacking |access-date=2009-04-02 |archive-date=2008-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729114614/http://parkes.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/double-stacked-to-perth/1228119.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> with {{convert|6.5|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}} clearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.artc.com.au/library/RIS_2.2.pdf|title=RIS 2.2 – Rail Infrastructure Strategy 2008-2024|publisher=ARTC – Australian Rail Track Corporation (state-owned)|date=2008-06-30|access-date=2013-03-18|quote=Increasing the height clearance for trains to 6500 mm between Parkes and Crystal Brook will allow a larger range of double-stacked container combinations to be carried}}</ref> {{As of|2021}}, the Inland Railway between Melbourne and Brisbane was being built for operation of double stacked trains using wellcars.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/service-offering|title=Service offering {{!}} Inland Rail|website=inlandrail.artc.com.au|access-date=2019-02-09}}</ref>
* {{CHN}} – using double stacked container trains under [[Engineering:25 kV AC railway electrification|25 kV AC]] [[Engineering:Overhead line|overhead line]]s<ref name="cont">[http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/15/stories/2007101551550600.htm Business Line India Double Stacking]</ref> using X2H and X2K type wellcars manufactured by CRRC.<ref>{{Cite web|title=X2H（X2K）集装箱专用平车|url=https://www.crrcgc.cc/eqcl/g8323/s15766/t265409.aspx}}</ref> Initial tests where done with a standard {{cvt|8|ft|6|in}} container and a reduced height {{cvt|8|ft|0|in}} container on top, later increasing to a {{convert|9|ft|6|in|m|1|abbr=on}} high hi-cube and a standard {{cvt|8|ft|6|in}} container on top. Even after increasing the height of the overhead wire it is not possible to use a stack of two {{cvt|9|ft|6|in|1}} hi-cube containers on the lines under electrification, even in well cars.<ref name=cont/>
*{{KEN}} – The Mombasa-Nairobi standard gauge railway operates double-stacked trains using X2K type wellcars manufactured by CRRC,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-07-27|title=Kenya receives a new batch of freight rolling stock|url=https://www.railwaypro.com/wp/kenya-receives-new-batch-freight-rolling-stock/|access-date=2022-02-18|website=Railway PRO|language=en-US}}</ref> the first such trains being launched on October 1, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001297413/sgr-launch-double-stack-freight-trains-to-boost-efficiency-at-mombasa-port|title=SGR launches double-stack freight trains|last=Sanga|first=Benard|website=The Standard|access-date=2019-02-09}}</ref> 
* {{PAN}} – the Panama Canal Railway runs double stack trains using well cars manufactured by Gunderson Inc.
* {{SAU}} – Saudi Railways Organization line to [[Place:Dammam|Dammam]]<ref>{{Citation|last=heartbreak21boyy|title=Saudi Arabian Railways Dammam Bound Double Stack Container Freight Train|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15-9UZJgLj4&index=3&list=PLDFJyRVlEItf43ECwr2gSrvJmsRXJ-4mV |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/15-9UZJgLj4| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=2019-02-09}} </ref>
* {{GBR}} – The small structure gauges and consequently small [[Engineering:Loading gauge#Great Britain|loading gauges]] on British railways mean that [[Engineering:Class U special wagon#Intermodal container well wagons|intermodal well wagons]] are required to be able to transport {{convert|9|ft|6|in|m|1|abbr=on}} high [[Engineering:Intermodal container|intermodal container]]s on routes where the loading gauge is W9 or smaller.

== Choke points ==
Low bridges and narrow tunnels in various locations prevent the operation of double-stack trains until costly upgrades are made. Some Class I railroad companies in the U.S. have initiated improvement programs to remove such obstructions. Examples include the Heartland Corridor (Norfolk Southern Railway) and National Gateway (CSX Transportation).

== See also ==
{{div col|colwidth=23em}}
* [[Engineering:Kangourou wagon|Kangourou wagon]]
* Lowmac
* [[Engineering:Pocket wagon|Pocket wagon]]
* Slack action
* [[Company:Tiphook|Tiphook]]
* [[Engineering:Class U special wagon#Intermodal container well wagons|Well wagon]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}
=== Magazine articles ===
* ''Mainline Modeler'':
:: Fortenberry, Curt & Bill McKean. - "APL Container Car". - February 1987. - p.65-69.
:: Fortenberry, Curt & Robert L. Hundman. - "APL container car part II the brake system". - March 1987. - p.78-81.
:: Hundman, Robert L., & Curt Fortenberry. - "APL 45-foot container car". - May 1987. - p.54-57.

* ''Model Railroader'':
:: Durrenberger, Cyril. - "SP/ACF double stack cars". - October 1983. - p.83-93.

* ''Model Railroading'':
:: Bontrager, David A. - "Articulated double stacks: a prototype overview". - June 1993. p.24-29.
:: Bontrager, David A. - "The Newest Prototype Well Cars: An Abundance of Kitbashing Possibilities". August 1997. - p.46-49.
:: Casdorph, David G. and Ed McCaslin. - "Gunderson's Husky-Stack: The Prototype and Detailing A-Line's HO Model". - October 1995. - p.32-37.
:: Casdorph, David G. - "NSC 53' Drawbarred Well Car Roster and Pictorial". - August 2002. - p.30-33
:: Geiger, Doug. - "Thrall Double-Stacks: Three-Well DTTX Drawbar-Connected Car". - October 1994. - p.50-55.
:: Geiger, Doug. - "Gunderson Husky Stack Three-Well BN Drawbar-Connected Car". - July 1995. - p.48-53.
:: Geiger, Doug. - "Gunderson Maxi-Stack IIIs Part I: The Prototype". - December 1995. - p.58-63.
:: Geiger, Doug. - "Maxi-Stack Well Car Part I: The Prototype". - April 1997. - p.28-31.
:: Mansfield, Jim. - "Thrall Five-Unit Double-Stack Car - Series TWG50J". - October 1993. - p.19-23.
:: Mansfield, Jim. - "Thrall Five-Unit Double-Stack Car - Series APLX 5000". - November 1993. - p.24-25, 27-31.

*''Railroad Model Craftsman'':
:: Panza, Jim & Chuck Yungkurth. - "Thrall's double-stack cars". - January 1989. - p.89-98.
:: Panza, Jim & Bruce Keating. - "The Gunderson Husky-Stack well car". - July 1992. - p.71-75.
:: Panza, Jim & William Halliar. - "Thrall stand-alone and drawbar connected well cars". - October 1992. - p.64-68.

== External links ==
* [http://www.american-rails.com/freight-cars.html Freight Cars]
* http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch3en/conc3en/pbdblstk.html{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324103201/http://people.hofstra.edu/geotrans/eng/ch3en/conc3en/pbdblstk.html%7B%7Bdead%7Cdate%3DMay |date=2012-03-24 }} The {{convert|18|ft|m|2|abbr=on}} here mentioned is too low, it is more like {{convert|20|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}} [http://www.emdx.org/rail/Gabarit/index.html AAR Plate "H" loading gauge diagrams compared to UIC (pdf & Autocad)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100205090613/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,806900,00.html A Partnership of Two Old Rivals], ''Time'' magazine, June 7, 1954
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111007195551/http://worldtraderef.com/WTR_site/Rail_Cars/Guide_to_Rail_Cars.asp Guide to Rail Cars]
* [https://my.aar.org/OTLR/Documents/Section%201/Section1AppendixA_20200826.pdf Association of American Railroads Mechanical Division, page 238]
* [https://www.gbrx.com/manufacturing/north-america-rail/intermodal-units/53-all-purpose-double-stack-car/ Greenbrier 53’ All-Purpose double-stack well car]
{{freight cars}}
{{Intermodal containers}}

[[Category:Freight rolling stock]]

{{Sourceattribution|Well car}}