OPERATION OF FREIGHT TRAINS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A005300780010-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 20, 2007
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: November 1, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/06/20: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300780010-0
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
This material contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States within the mean-
ing of the Espionage Laws, Title 18, U.S.C. Seca. 793
and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in
any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited
by law.
SECRETAJ. S. OFFICIALS ONLY
COUNTRY Czechoslovakia
Operation of Freight Trains
REPORT NO.
DATE DISTR.
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE.
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
1.
26 November 1954
The Soviet system of "heavy tonnage" freight shipments, consisting in moving
freight by extra heavy freight trains, was introduced on the Czechoslovak
Railroads. Under this system, the railroad area managements are issuing orders
to the dispatchers to increase the load r X freight trains, with the objective
to achieve the same loads per train as is customary in the USSR, although
Czechoslovak railroad cars have smaller loading surfaces than Soviet cars,
which are built on a broader g e.
are now frequently loaded with 30 tons.
2. Cars built to carry loads of 20 tons
has been causing mach amage, Running hct of axles has increased
verloadin
g
o
37%; breaks in couplings have inc eased 60%, and damage to rolling stock 54%.
Freight trains have been running an additional behind scheduled times.
3. On 7 July 1954, the main line between Bratislava and Kuty was closed for
heavy-tonnage trains, as it was found that these extra heavy loads were
causing serious injury to the roadbeds and bridges. Most of the bridges
already are in need of repair, especially those near Devinske Jazero and
Devinska Nova Ves. Experts who checked the road estimate that the damage
caused by the brief period of heavy tonnage operation amounts to two million
Kcs. on this sector.
4. This system of operating freight trains has been very unpopular with railroad
personnel. There have been instances of refusal to obey orders to load trains
according to the new system Railroad men claim that it is far more likely
to cause accidents. They also estimate that the consumption of fuel (coal
or oil) is about 30%.higher than under the old system. This may not be the
case in Russia, where there are very long open and straight tracks and conse-
quently much less occasion.for slowing down and accelerating of these extra
heavy trains. But the system is not at all advantageous for a much more
densely populated and less `.?lat country like Czechoslovakia,
SECRET/U.S, OFFICIALS ONLY
STATE
ARMY X NAVY
(NOTE; Washington distribution indicated by "X"; Fi.fd distribution by "#".)
J//
Approved For Release 2007/06/20: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300780010-0
 Approved For Release 2007/06/20: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300780010-0
Approved For Release 2007/06/20: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA005300780010-0