Logistics

Understand how goods are loaded on a freight train

The processes of loading and unloading goods on a freight train are fundamental for the companies involved in the transactions, both producers and buyers.

The cargo train is one of the main means of transporting cargo, even if it is not yet on the same level as trucks, for example. Despite this, for a long time the railroads were used as the main mode of transport, which makes them still have strength today.

For loads to leave the production sectors and reach the appropriate destinations by the sectors involved, loading and unloading needs to be as qualified as possible.

In this sense, it is important to highlight that each commodity has a specific loading and unloading process, in view of the various formats, sizes, models, thickness, consistency and, properly, its material.

Although there is a difference in this process, due to the diversity of goods, it does not exempt that the quality needs to be the best possible. Therefore, we will explain below how these steps work, why they are important and what is the step-by-step. check it out How does the loading of the cargo train work?

How does the loading of the cargo train work?

How does the loading of the cargo train work?

As each type of merchandise needs to go through a specific process in order to be placed on a freight train, it is essential that the companies involved adapt to this and have the necessary knowledge to ensure efficient loading and unloading, without hindering the progress of the activities of the charge transport.

In terms of space for loading and unloading, they can take place in different locations and with different structures, depending mainly on the type of goods that will be positioned on the freight train.

Next, we will talk about the main points of loading and unloading of goods, explaining in a more complete way how they are made and what are the goods that are loaded in each space.

Intermodal terminals

The first, and perhaps the most important model for loading and unloading sites, are intermodal terminals.

Intermodal terminals are used to improve the logistics strategy of companies and, as the name implies, it uses more than one mode of transport as a reference, whether water, avian, rail or road.

In the case of railroads, the most common is that the road sector is used as a complement. See the example below: a certain amount of cargo needs to be taken to a national port. With that, the goods leave the productive space by the trucks and arrive at the terminals. From there, they are repositioned on the cargo train, which will do the rest of the trip.

But how is this exchange made? Well, in the case of intermodal terminals, the most practical and functional solution is through the use of containers. The work of transferring the loads to the cargo train, individually, would be very laborious and would waste an important time. Therefore, containers are used to give more dynamism to the processes, in addition to these elements allowing a high load of goods in just one freighter train.

The positioning of the containers on the cargo train is done by a crane, considering the relative weight of each container and the maneuver that needs to be done to position it. With the help of a crane, the containers are quickly positioned in each car, allowing the train to travel to the ports quickly and effectively.

Bonded spaces

Another model for loading and unloading a cargo train occurs in bonded spaces, such as mines, factories, agricultural sectors, among others.

In these places, this process is done in a totally different way than the previous one. In addition, each customs officer carries out the loading of the trains in a different way, using equipment and private vehicles for those spaces.

In the agriculture and agribusiness sector, where the main production is focused on grains, the cargo train is loaded using grain elevators, that is, its own tool for this type of activity.

In mines, for example, excavators are used, which have their own structure to remove the ore extracted from the mines and place them on the cargo train. 

Process optimization

Process optimization

The procedure for loading and unloading goods on a cargo train is a very important part of the trains' journey to ports or municipalities. Therefore, it is essential that this stage is increasingly optimized, gaining speed and decreasing the useful loading time.

Therefore, the companies involved in this process have been investing more and more in ways to accelerate this stage, acquiring new technologies, changing their strategies and hiring more suitable professionals for this.

In recent years, this has been one of the main logistics investments for intermodal and bonded terminals. The Uberaba terminal, for example, is a very interesting case to be discussed, as in recent years it has drastically reduced the time taken to load goods on a cargo train.

This terminal, which is a project stipulated by the company VLI Logística, one of the main corporations in the railroad logistics sector, reduced the loading and unloading time from 3 days to 5 hours. Considered one of the most modern projects, full of technologies and strategies that allow this speed in the process, the terminal has become a model for other companies to do the same.

With this considerable gain in loading and unloading time, the producers and the other companies involved are able to make more trips in a considerably shorter period of time. With that, everyone wins, both the production and the companies that carry out the purchase of the transported goods.

Conclusão sobre carregamento do trem cargueiro

Loading and unloading of goods on a freight train is part of the process of transporting the materials. There are several ways to load and unload a train, but the choice of the best way must go according to the type of goods that will be loaded, precisely to avoid loss during the filling of the wagons. 

Intermodal terminals and bonded spaces are references in this sense, as they have structures set up so that trains permeate these locations and have their cars filled with certain goods. Still, for there to be a greater growth in cargo transportation by trains, it is important that companies invest in speed and quality, decreasing the loading time more and more. 

Searchs: https://www.vli-logistica.com.br/imprensa/releases/terminal-em-uberaba-reduz-para-5-horas-carregamento-de-trens-feito-em-3-dias/

https://www.sick.com/br/pt/ramos-industriais/trafego/trilho/gerenciamento-de-trafego-em-vias-de-trilhos/determinacao-da-posicao-de-vagoes-de-carga-no-carregamento-e-descarregamento/c/p329739

https://www.mrs.com.br/clientes/servicos-expressos/

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