Army techniques publication ATP 4-14 Expeditionary Railway Center Operations May 2014 provides authoritative doctrine for rail operations that support unified land operations. It describes the organizations, processes, procedures, and systems involved in the rail operations across the range of military operations. It is written to explain the functions of Expeditionary Railway Center (ERC) service in a theater of operations. It provides basic information for commanders and staffs of supporting units and for staff officers of higher headquarters. It provides guidance to our joint and multinational partners on how Army rail contributes to sustainment in joint and multinational operations. This publication applies to a range of military operations and supports Army doctrinal reference publication (ADRP) 3-0, Unified Land Operations, and Army doctrinal publication (ADP) 4-0, Sustainment. The intent of this ATP is to support strategic reach, operational reach, and enable operational endurance.
The principle audience for ATP 4-14 is all members of the profession of arms. Commanders and staffs of Army headquarters serving as joint task force or multinational headquarters should also refer to applicable joint or multinational doctrine concerning the range of military operations and joint or multinational forces. Trainers and educators throughout the Army will also use this publication.
ATP 4-14 contains 7 chapters and 8 appendixes:
Chapter 1, The Expeditionary Railway Center, describes the roles and missions of the ERC, the structure of the ERC, and how the ERC and its teams and personnel can be used in a theater of operations.
Chapter 2, Rail Transport Operations, provides a baseline of knowledge on rail operations, methods of rail operations, rail facilities, and rail communication.
Chapter 3, Rail Planning, provides detailed formulas and calculations required to conduct rail planning.
Chapter 4, Railway Structure and Reconnaissance, discusses a railway�s physical components, structure and construction. It is designed to give ERC personnel information they will require when conducting a railway reconnaissance for a theater infrastructure assessment.
Chapter 5, Railway Equipment, introduces different types of equipment that are found on both American and foreign railroads. It also discusses potential issues and mitigation techniques when using foreign equipment. It is designed to give ERC personnel information they will require when conducting a railway equipment reconnaissance as part of a theater assessment.
Chapter 6, Rail Security, discusses battlefield and shipment security in a theater of operations.
Chapter 7, Rail Safety, covers safety considerations, references to safety rules used by American Personnel on American railways, and accident reporting.
Appendix A, Records and Reports, lists the various records and reports that were utilized by U.S. Army rail companies of the past.
Appendix B, Railway Planning Example, gives a full example, including mathematical calculations, of the planning of a rail operation in theater.
Appendix C, Rail Dispatching Operations and Procedures, explains the operational procedures used by U.S. Army rail organizations of the past.
Appendix D, Main Line Operations and Procedures, explains the operational procedures used by U.S. Army rail organizations of the past.
Appendix E, Yard and Terminal Operations and Procedures, explains the operational procedures used by U.S. Army rail organizations of the past.
Appendix F, Wreck Train and Equipment Operations and Procedures, explains in great detail the different types of rail accidents that can occur, how to react to these accidents, and how to recover rail equipment after it has been involved in an accident.
Appendix G, Construction and Rehabilitation Requirements, provides planning factors for man-hour requirements for the construction and rehabilitation of rail track.
