Procedures for dimensional shipments
(high and wides)
In partnership with the many stevedoring companies at the Port of New Orleans who have both the know-how and equipment ready for your heavy-haul rail shipments, NOPB has initiated a plan to assure your shipment reaches its destination safely and efficiently. Your shipment is defined as dimensional under any of the following loaded conditions:
- Width-Lading exceeds 11'0"
- Height-Lading exceeds 19'0" from top of Rail to highest point of lading
- Length-Lading exceeds railcar length or conversely is 18'0" or less
- Weight-Lading exceeds 150,000 lbs
- General Application-Lading would be classified as dimensional by NOPB's connecting carriers
NOPB rate requirements are usually included in the rate quote you receive from connecting carriers. If this is not the case, please contact the NOPB Business Development Department at 504-896-7415 or email Business Development
Recommendations for a successful shipment
We recommend you refer to the Railway Industrial Clearance Association for steps to a successful dimensional shipment.
NOPB is committed to quality service
Before your dimensional shipment travels on NOPB, these procedures have been established to assure our service commitment to you is met:
- For outbound shipments, once railcar has been loaded and secured in accordance with the A.A.R. Open-Top Loading Rules a joint inspection is requested by you or your agent and a NOPB Joint Mechanical Inspection Report will be completed and signed by and NOPB car inspector and a representative of the connecting railroad also involved in the shipment. In addition to the load inspection, a rule 89 inspection of the railcar will also be performed.
- The Inspection Report will then be submitted to the NOPB Clearance Office (Engineering Department) for final load clearance approval.
- Before releasing your outbound shipment for delivery to the connecting railroad, NOPB Customer Service will confer with our Clearance Office to verify approval of the load clearances and determine whether an idler car must be assigned before the railcar is moved from the loading site
- The train crew assigned to move your shipment will have the Joint Mechanical Inspection Report in their possession while moving railcar from the loading site to to the connecting carrier.
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