On the double-deck transportation of large-tonnage containers: start of work, suspension of the program, measures for its prolongation

At the beginning of the XXI century in order to increase the competitiveness of container transportation on the railways of Russia, comprehensive studies were carried out on the possibility of transporting large-capacity containers loaded in two decks. In contrast to the world experience in the development of this method of transportation, where they are carried out on lines with diesel traction, the possibility of transporting containers loaded in two decks on electrified domestic mainlines is determined by the presence of an overhead wire, which creates an additional restriction for increasing the height of the freight.The article discusses the results of many years of comprehensive research on the creation of a specialized well platform and the development of a technology for transporting large-capacity containers in it with loading in two decks, carried out by the VNIIZhT in the early 2000s. The article provides the features of the structure of the well platform, the layout of containers in it, the types of tests carried out and data on the experimental transportation of the platform loaded with containers in two decks. Information on the suspension of work on the introduction of double-deck container transportation is provided and measures are proposed that must be performed in case of resumption of work on the introduction of this method of transportation on the Russian railways network.Research carried out by scientists and specialists of the VNIIZhT on the implementation of transportation of large-capacity containers of the 1AA, 1A, 1CC and 1C types with loading in two decks on a well platform have shown the high efficiency of the developed transportation technology. It still retains its relevance and can be implemented at the present time. The measures listed in the article to be implemented to resume work on the implementation of this technology are proposed to be included in the program for the introduction of this type of transportation.