Podcast Resources: #33: PODS and RAIL

November 18, 2025 Christopher Kieffer Comments Off

ERDC and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center collaborated in 2016 to develop a transportable ramp system that could be used to rapidly restore a damaged pier.

The components from the Pier Over-Decking System (PODS) were later redeveloped into the Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) system, which can be used to load/unload armored vehicles from a train without the need for a fixed railyard facility. That system has since been repurposed for new uses, such as enabling gap crossings as a vehicle-launched bridge and serving as a foundation for Arctic infrastructure.

MORE INFORMATION:

Listen to the PODS/RAIL podcast episode: PowerofERDCPodcast.org/33-pods-and-rail.

Watch a video of the PODS/RAIL podcast episode: PowerofERDCpodcast.org/33-pods-and-rail_video.

Listen to a previous Power of ERDC podcast episode about the RAIL system: www.PowerofERDCPodcast.org/rail/

Read more about the system:

See more photos of the system below:

6804886_resize

The 1st Inland Cargo Transfer Company (ICTC), 39th Transportation Battalion (MC) recently conducted a demonstration of the Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading (RAIL) at Coleman Worksite in Mannheim, Germany from May 3rd to 10th. The 1st ICTC validated their ability to transport, build, and employ the modular ramp system. The first two of these state of the art systems have been given to 1st ICTC for future training and employment throughout the theater. These operations ensure that the Soldiers whom would deploy these systems are able to do it in a fast and accurate manner, each repetition gets them closer to perfection.

The new Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading, or RAIL, a modular ramp system prototype sponsored by U.S. Transportation Command, is shown here disassembled on a pallet but can be put together quickly by a small force of approximately 16 people. RAIL offers three configurations, allowing for massing of combat power at the point of need without the requirement of shipping it to a fixed railhead facility for offload and then onward movement. Two RAIL kits are being shipped for use in real-world operations at the request of the 21st Theater Sustainment Company of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, which asked that eight more kits be produced. (U.S. Army courtesy photo)

The end-load capability function of the new Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading, or RAIL, a modular ramp system prototype sponsored by U.S. Transportation Command, is one of three configurations the system offers for massing of combat power at the point of need without the requirement of shipping it to a fixed railhead facility for offload and then onward movement. Two RAIL kits are being shipped for use in real-world operations at the request of the 21st Theater Sustainment Company of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, which asked that eight more kits be produced.

The side-load capability function of the new Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading, or RAIL, a modular ramp system prototype sponsored by U.S. Transportation Command, is one of three configurations the system offers for massing of combat power at the point of need without the requirement of shipping it to a fixed railhead facility for offload and then onward movement. Two RAIL kits are being shipped for use in real-world operations at the request of the 21st Theater Sustainment Company of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, which asked that eight more kits be produced. (U.S. Army courtesy photo)

7276887_resize

Soldiers from the 1st Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 39th Transportation Battalion, unload a pallet carrying the Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading, or RAIL, modular ramp system. This is the first operational implementation of the RAIL system in Europe. It’s being used to support the 405th Army Field Support Brigade with its mission to return over 5,000 Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 vehicles and equipment pieces to its APS-2 worksite in Mannheim, Germany. (Courtesy photo)

Contractors assigned to the 405th Army Field Support Brigade upload another Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 equipment piece onto a transport truck using the new Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading, or RAIL, modular ramp system. The Rail system is helping to expedite the movement of more than 5,000 APS-2 vehicles and equipment pieces. (Courtesy photo)

A Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is uploaded onto a transport truck using the new Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading, or RAIL, modular ramp system. To help expedite the movement of more than 5,000 Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 vehicles and equipment pieces, the 405th Army Field Support Brigade teamed up with movement control and transportation experts from the 1st Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 39th Transportation Battalion, and are using the new RAIL system. (Courtesy photo)

Army engineers assemble a Rapidly Available Interface for Trans-loading (RAIL) system at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany in May of 2022. The system is enroute to support recovery efforts of four missing U.S. Soldiers in Prabade, Lithuania.

Army engineers assemble a Rapidly Available Interface for Trans-loading (RAIL) system at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany in May of 2022. The system is enroute to support recovery efforts of four missing U.S. Soldiers in Prabade, Lithuania.

Army engineers assemble a Rapidly Available Interface for Trans-loading (RAIL) system at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany in May of 2022. The system is enroute to support recovery efforts of four missing U.S. Soldiers in Prabade, Lithuania.

Army engineers assemble a Rapidly Available Interface for Trans-loading (RAIL) system at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany in May of 2022. The system is enroute to support recovery efforts of four missing U.S. Soldiers in Prabade, Lithuania.

9137119_resize

21st Theater Sustainment Command Abrams tanks Arctic infrastructure armored vehicles Ashley Genna August Johnson bridge repair bridging DEVCOM Edwards Design and Fabrication engineering ERDC Europe expeditionary railhead force projection freedom of maneuver freedom of movement Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory Ground Vehicle Systems Center GSL Guam GVSC humvees Justin Strickler M1A1 M1A2 military military logistics military transport operational flexibility over-bridging Permafrost PIER Pier Over-Decking System pier repair PODS Port Improvement via Exigent Repair power projection R&D RAIL rail operations ramp Rapidly Available Interface for trans-Loading research science seaport repair speed of assembly tanks trains U.S. Army U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center United States European Command United States Indo-Pacific Command United States Transportation Command USACE USEUCOM USINDOPACOM USTRANSCOM