The U.S. Navy has issued a request for information regarding the acquisition of a specialized railroad car intended to transport unarmed ballistic missiles. This initiative stems from the fact that existing railcars, primarily the DODX 40000 model, are nearing the end of their service life, with plans for their retirement by 2031.

The DODX 40000 is a 150-ton flatbed railcar, originally designed by the U.S. Army in 1981. It measures 68 feet in length and has a maximum loading capacity of 140 tons. The railcar is capable of transporting large items, including two M1 Abrams tanks, as well as cranes and shipping containers. The Navy previously utilized these flatcars for transporting Active Inert Missiles (AIMs), which are used for training purposes involving missile tube loading practices.

The Navy’s recent request highlights that the current three-axle, six-wheel truck design of the existing railcars is now outdated. Furthermore, the American Association of Railroads (AAR) has declined to extend their service life due to their obsolescence.

In tandem with this demand for a new railcar design, the Navy Munitions Command Atlantic is looking to replace its aging fleet of 200 boxcars and flatcars that are responsible for hauling munitions. Concerns have been raised regarding the critical brake components for these railcars, which are no longer manufactured, leading to reliance on parts from decommissioned units.

The Navy and the Department of Energy have also been collaborating to create armored railcars designed for transporting spent nuclear fuel and other radioactive materials, utilizing a 12-axle railcar system dubbed the Atlas, which is equipped for secure transport.

The forthcoming retirement of the DODX 40000 highlights ongoing challenges within military rail logistics, regarded as the most efficient method for transporting heavy military equipment domestically. A 2021 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) pointed out critical deficiencies and poor track conditions within the Army’s rail network, which may extend similar challenges to the Navy.

Safety considerations are essential for the design of special railcars intended for transporting items like dummy ballistic missiles, especially in light of the current condition of rail infrastructure. David Clarke, a retired engineering professor and railroad expert, expressed confidence that designing a railcar for such purposes would not be overly complex, specifically for cargo lengths under 90 feet, as exemplified by the Trident D5 ballistic missile measuring 44 feet.