Russian Railways have tested new medium-tonnage 5 and 10 tons capacity containers, the company said in its social media account.
Both the containers and the removable equipment to fix them onto fitting platforms were developed by Russian Railways’ VNIIZhT research institute.
The first testing took place at the Kuntsevo freight yard in Moscow.
To use such containers in the same way as the standard 20’ and 40’ units, a special ‘smart’ adapter was developed onto which two 10’ or four 5’ units are mounted.
This means that no specialized platforms to transport such medium-tonnage containers by rail. The smaller equipment is easier to move from one transport mode to another. Thus, to load a 5-ton container a forklift truck will suffice.
Specialists estimate that the cost of transporting smaller shipments in such containers by rail will be 30-40% cheaper than by road.
Photo: Russian Railways social media account