Looks like a Logistical Support Battalion ON THE MOVE, to a new base, or to an Embarkation Port. Didn't see any Armor, or Artillery, so it is a Support Unit.
Maybe they are going for the new car warranty service (Ha Ha). I have never seen anthing like that it is scary. I forget the web page I was on last week and not sure how reliable it was. Someone had a video tape of some train cars In a fenced in lot and I think they were marked FEMA. They had bench seating ran down each side with shackles hooked to the floor, venting in the top of the cars and no windows. When someone ask about the cars they were told that they would be used to tansport Guard Troops into disaster aras when or if the roads was blocked. When ask about the shackles whoever they were talking to wouldn't answer just stated it was unlawful to be in that area. Like I stated don;t know how true the video is but it makes you think.
If you can find the link to that page 'The Monkey Men (and Women too)' would like it to research validity. TIA
A few years ago just before I moved back to Montana from Colorado I saw an entire Striker brigade sitting on a side rail between Ft Collins & Cheyenne. I couldn't believe how many Strikers were on that train. On their way to or from Ft Carson probably. That was right about the time they were deploying a bunch more Strikers to the sand box. Was pretty cool. Man what I wouldn't give for just one PLS and enough diesel to run it for the next 20 years! I'd even settle for a HMMET variant. Cracks me up every time I see Oshkosh on the front though. Reminds me of my first overalls! Byte
Well, it could be repurposed. The Greenbrier Companies - AutoMax Found a video of the AutoMax product Railcars...Easily Converted For Us??‏ - YouTube
Between a few of the wheels and the track, it would take a RAILROAD Crane to get that string moving again...... don't ask how I know.....
Prisoner transport has come a long way since the 1930's and 1940's.....though some things will probably not change....the defecation bucket...and armed guards with savage dogs....shudder The Holocaust Documentation and Education Center & Museum | A Legacy of Remembrance Holocaust train - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Plausible that they would use rail to move people to camps, however after watching the video with hubby (who works for railroad) the "shackles" shown are for attempting to keep the cars in place while humping the train together. Speaking of which, never buy a car moved by rail, more than once I've seen them hanging out the end of the car. He says it would be easy to switch them over to transport humans though. He says that the reason the cars would be stumbled across in the middle of nowhere is the railroad is charged per diem per car in the yard so they stick them in sidings in the middle of nowhere to hide them and get out of paying the fees. They show up as "in transit." He said to keep an eye on the lettering on the side of the cars though. He says DOCX or DODX-they are privately owned by Dept of Corrections, Dept of Defense.
In the OP that looks like an FSB headed to port for deployment, NTC,or just simply a rail loading exercise. It could also be a realignment. For example moving a unit from Ft. Carson to Fort Hood. I doubt it is NTC though. They made us take the glass out of the vehicle in my unit.
