Methods for Covering Railway Tarpaulins

Tarpaulins serve as auxiliary equipment for railway freight cars. Today, we will explain the methods for properly covering railway tarpaulins. 

1. Front longitudinal tarpaulin covering. On both sides of the truck, the hanging height of the tarpaulin should be consistent. The hanging height of the tarpaulin covering the end wall at one end of the handbrake is generally between 300mm and 500mm, while the hanging height at the other end of the truck is approximately 600mm.

2. Tighten each corner rope of the truck tarpaulin to form an inward triangular corner. After flattening both sides of the corner, fold it toward the end wall and tightly wrap it around both ends of the truck, securing the corners with the ropes.

3. Steps for Securing Railway Freight Car Tarpaulins:

 (1) Fasten the tarpaulin ropes to the designated rope hooks on the freight car. It is strictly forbidden to tie them to any other parts. 

(2) After crossing over the end wall of the freight car, secure the two corner ropes from each end to the rope hooks at the respective ends of the car. When a corner rope passes over the manual brake platform, it must go over the platform to avoid interfering with the brake operation. However, when passing by the brake rod or uncoupling lever, it must go inside (toward the center of the car). 

(3) The two end ropes between the two end tarpaulins of the truck are respectively tightened and tied to the end rope buckles of the vehicle vertically. When passing through the lifting hook rod, they should pass through from the inside.

(4) The pressure rope at each end must grip the tarpaulin while tightening the corner strap, ensuring the tarpaulin adheres tightly to the vehicle's side wall. It should be secured to the first rope buckle on the vehicle's side, and must never be attached to the towing hook.

(5) The canvas's waist ropes must be directly tied to the vehicle's side rope buckles. The stretch length of the elastic portion should be determined based on cargo load, with a minimum of 200mm. For vehicles with central buckles, the middle waist rope should be tied to the central buckle. If no central buckle exists, the middle waist rope should be tied to the nearest buckles near the vehicle's center. Other waist ropes should be sequentially tied to corresponding buckles from both ends toward the vehicle's center. When the elastic rod is not adjacent to the eye ring, the elastic rope should be folded in the middle, with excess length folded into two knots. The remaining tail should then be secured five times with a rope clip or hemp thread, tightly fastened to the main rope. 

(6) Use the butterfly loop method or the return loop method to tie the tarpaulin ropes. After tying, the rope end must be wrapped around its own strand and secured with at least two tight overhand knots. The remaining tail length should be controlled between 100 mm and 300 mm.

4. When Covering with a Tarpaulin Rope Net:  

Position the rope net correctly with its mesh fully open, ensuring it lies flat and snug against the tarpaulin. Begin by securing it from both sides of the car. After the rope net completely covers the tarpaulin, fasten the tie points at both ends of the car. The method for securing the rope net to the freight car follows the same requirements as securing the tarpaulin itself.

5. Reinforcement of Rope Ends:  

The remaining tails of tarpaulin ropes and rope net tie ropes must be reinforced using rope clamps. To use: after tying the knot, pull the rope tail tight against the rope strand. Position the rope clamp with the side marked with the imprint and the toothed surface facing outward. Place it 50 mm from the rope tail. Thread the locking rope around the rope tail and the main strand, then pass it upward from the bottom of the clamp's locking slot. Pull it tight along the direction of the slot, engaging the locking teeth on the clamp end with the teeth on the pressure block. To open: pull the locking rope forcefully in the opposite direction of the slot. The rope head will break at the designated fracture groove, releasing the clamp.