TM   9-2350-256-20 If  suitable  hoisting  equipment,  permanent  loading  ramps,  and  handling  equipment  are  not  available  for  loading or unloading materiel, improvised runways, ramps, and spanning platforms can be constructed. Loading  must  be  governed  by  the  capacity  and  length  of  flatcars  available  at  time  of  shipment,  as  well  as requirements  of  bills  of  lading  and  shipping  instructions. 17-9   BLOCKING All blocking instructions specified herein are in accordance with the Association of American Railroads Pamphlet, Section  No.  6  (Rules  Governing  the  Loading  of  Department  of  Defense  Materiel  on  Open-Top  Cars).  Additional blocking may be added at the discretion of the officer in charge. 17-10   VEHICLE   SIZE   REDUCTION   TO   ACCOMMODATE   RAIL   CLEARANCE The   height   and   width   of   the   M88A1   vehicle   can   be   reduced   to   conform   to   the   limitations   prescribed   by   a particular  railroad  line  for  transportation  on  its  standard  flatcar  by  removing  the  items  noted  in  the  rail  carrier limitation  accommodations  table. The overall width of 135 inches (in.) (3429 millimeters [mm] ) can be reduced to 124 in. (3150 mm) by the removal of  fender  assemblies,  tracks,  hub  and  sprocket  assemblies,  spade  extensions,  table  block  brackets,  tow  bar brackets, pioneer tool kit bracket, and clamps. The overall height can also be reduced from 117-1/4 in. (2978.2 mm) to 112-5/8 in. (2860.7 mm) by the removal of tracks. 17-11   RAIL   CARRIER   LIMITATION   ACCOMMODATIONS Rail Carrier And Clearances (X Denotes Removal Required) Association  of Bernie American Items   Recommended   For International Near  East Railroads   (Car Far  East Removal To Accommodate (Car Deck Height (Car Deck Height Deck  Height  41 (Car  Deck  Height Rail   Carrier   Limitations 50 In. [1270 Mm] ) 49 In. [1245 Mm] ) In. [1041 Mm] ) 50 In. [1270 Mm] ) Caliber  .50  machine  gun X X X X Tracks   (2) X X X X Track drive hubs (2) and X X X X sprockets  (4) Tow  cables  (2) X X X X Fenders,  supports,  etc. X X X X Spare  roadwheels  (2) X X X X Snatch  block  and  bracket X X X Tow bar and mounting X X X brackets  (2) Spade  extensions  (2) X X X X Spare track support rollers (2) X X Spare  drive  sprockets  (2) X X Tow cable mounting brackets X X (6) Spare  track  link  (6) X Pioneer  kit  mounting  bracket X Boom   support X M13  decontamination X X X X apparatus bracket assembly Change 1 17-3