GANGWAYS & CAGES
Railcar Gangways for Safer, Efficient Rail Loading
Carbis railcar gangways provide safer, OSHA-compliant access to railcars, hopper cars, and unit trains. Telescoping, flat ramp, and track-mounted configurations close the gap between platform and railcar so your team never has to step over open space. Custom-built to your specific railcar types and terminal layout.
For you and your team, designing and running your facility can present one significant challenge: railcars rarely arrive in a single standard height, width, or hatch configuration. Fixed-specification gangways do their job when your fleet is consistent, but what about railcars, hopper cars, and unit trains that vary from car to car?
That’s why Carbis engineers several gangway configurations rather than a single fixed design. Telescoping gangways extend and retract to close the gap on railcars of varying widths. Flat ramp gangways offer a simpler, lower-maintenance option when platform height and railcar height stay consistent. Tracking gangways reposition along a rail to reach multiple hatches without re-spotting the car. Every configuration is custom-built to your platform and requirements.
Let's Build a More Productive, Safer Operation Together
Telescoping Ramp Gangway
Ideal for Accessing Liquid Railcars
The ability to extend and retract a portion of the gangway makes it ideal for the application, as the railings on the railcar can vary significantly from car to car.
Telescoping Vs. Flat Ramp: Choosing the Right Gangway
Telescoping and flat ramp gangways solve the same problem in different ways. A telescoping gangway extends and retracts to snugly fit the railcar’s height and position, no matter the variation in car width — that flexibility slashes the risk of slips or spills when your fleet includes different car types. A flat ramp gangway is the simpler, lower-maintenance choice when platform height and railcar height stay consistent across your fleet. The right choice comes down to how much variation your operation needs to handle.
Designed for Railcar Access
With a section that extends and retracts into the railcar’s crash box, the gangway adapts to the different railing configurations from car to car, making it ideal for railcar applications.
Safety Cage Integration
Every Carbis gangway can be paired with a custom-configured safety cage for single or multi-hatch access, keeping workers protected from the moment they step off the platform until the job is done.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Available Widths | 24", 30", 36", 48" — custom widths available on request |
| Telescoping Extension | Adjustable extension engineered to your crash box height and railcar configuration |
| Height Range | Designed to accommodate varying tank car and hopper car heights — no car re-spotting required |
| Load Capacity | Rated gangway and handrail load per OSHA and AAR requirements — contact us for project-specific load data |
| Primary Materials | Mill, primed, galvanized...we'll to meet your requirements |
| Safety Cage Options | Railcar safety cages are completely customizable — 2-rail, custom configurations available — see Railcar Cages |
| Compliance | Designed to meet OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23 fall protection requirements and AAR standards where applicable OSHA AAR |
| Finish Options | Mill finish — high-visibility and custom powder coat options available |
| Mounting | Fixed platform-mounted or track-mounted for unit train and multi-hatch applications — see Track Mounted Gangways |
| Custom Engineering | Every railcar gangway is custom-built to your terminal. Our engineers visit your site to specify the right solution for your car fleet and platform configuration. |
| Need crash box clearance data or a custom configuration for your railcar fleet? Talk to a Carbis engineer → | |
Frequently Asked Questions
A railcar gangway is an access bridge between a fixed loading platform and the top of a tank car or hopper car. It provides a safe, OSHA-compliant walking surface for operators during loading and unloading, and typically includes a safety cage that surrounds the operator at the hatch for fall protection. Carbis railcar gangways are custom-engineered to suit your specific car types and terminal layout.
Tank cars are fitted with a crash box — a raised protective structure above the dome and valves. A standard flat ramp cannot safely bridge the gap between the loading platform and the walkway surface on top of the car. Carbis telescoping gangways extend outward from the platform and reach over the crash box, landing securely on the car's walkway regardless of car height or crash box configuration. This gives operators a stable, non-slip surface at every access point.
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.23 governs walking-working surfaces and fall protection at loading rack elevations, including railcar access. Depending on the commodity and terminal type, AAR (Association of American Railroads) standards may also apply. Carbis gangways are designed and built to meet these requirements. Contact us for site-specific compliance documentation and to discuss your facility's requirements.
Unit trains carry a single commodity — crude oil, ethanol, frac sand, or refined products — in dedicated railcars from one origin to one destination. Their loading terminals require gangways capable of fast, repeatable deployment across many cars in quick succession. Carbis unit train gangways are built for the cycle counts and throughput demands of high-volume operations, with track-mounted options that eliminate car re-spotting between hatches.
Yes. A track-mounted gangway travels horizontally along a fixed rail system, allowing a single unit to reach multiple hatch positions along the same car or across consecutive cars in a unit train consist — without moving the railcar. This dramatically reduces loading cycle time and is the preferred solution for multi-dome tank cars and high-frequency unit train terminals.
Railcar safety cages are designed to extend above crash box height by at least one foot, providing a protective enclosure around the operator while they work at the hatch. They must accommodate the crash box geometry, which varies by car type and commodity. Truck safety cages are configured for trailer hatches, which sit at different heights and geometries. Carbis engineers both — and all cages are custom-built to your specific railcar fleet and site configuration. Talk to a Carbis engineer to specify the right cage for your operation.
Let's Build a More Productive, Safer Operation Together
Industries Severed
Oil & Gas / Petroleum Terminals High-throughput terminals running around the clock need fast, reliable gangway deployment and fully enclosed safety cages — vapour exposure at the hatch makes every access point a potential incident.
Chemical & Bulk Liquid A slip accessing an acid or solvent tanker is a chemical exposure incident, not just a fall. Gangway materials must perform in corrosive atmospheres without compromise.
Food & Beverage Liquid food operations demand food-safe materials, consistent access across varying tanker heights, and fast vehicle turnaround — all without compromising hygiene standards.
Cement, Frac Sand & Dry Bulk Multiple hatches, variable trailer heights, and abrasive dust environments make dry bulk operations one of the most demanding applications for truck gangway systems.
Agriculture Corrosive fertiliser and crop chemical residues, combined with seasonal throughput peaks, require gangways built for robust performance with minimal maintenance downtime.
Mining & Minerals Acid and slurry tanker access demands wider gangways, stainless hardware, and heavy-duty cage construction — operators in full PPE need every design advantage available.
Different Styles of Gangways
Self-Leveling Folding Stairs
Truck gangways with self-leveling folding stairs for safer tanker truck and ISO container access.
Flat Ramp
Access the tops of trucks and railcars where your vehicle height stays consistent.
Telescoping
The Telescoping Gangway is designed to reach into the rail car crash box.
Key Takeaways
Every Carbis railcar gangway is engineered to your specific needs.
But here are some common features:
- Eliminates gaps between gangways and vehicles of non-standard widths.
- Faster and easier handling of all vehicles passing through your facility.
- Safer conditions for all workers on the loading platform.
- Greater flexibility, safety assurance, and throughput for your business.
Let's Build a More Productive, Safer Operation Together
Engineering Safety Access Solutions
Since 1930
Project Samples
Railcar Telescoping Gangways
Carbis railcar telescoping gangways are engineered for safe access to liquid tank cars, pressurised cars, and chemical tankers at loading and unloading terminals. The telescoping ramp extends from your fixed loading platform over the railcar’s crash box, landing on the car’s walkway surface — giving operators a stable, slip-resistant path to every dome and valve regardless of car height or positioning. OSHA-compliant, custom-engineered to your specific tank car fleet, and built for decades of industrial use.
Unit Train Telescoping Gangways
For high-throughput unit train operations, Carbis unit train telescoping gangways deliver
reliable, repeatable access across every car in the consist. Engineered for the speed and
volume demands of dedicated commodity trains — crude oil, refined products, ethanol, and
frac sand — these telescoping units deploy quickly, retract cleanly, and are built to
withstand the cycle counts of round-the-clock terminal operations. Track-mounted options eliminate car re-spotting on multi-hatch cars.
Unit Train Flat Ramps Gangways
Where railcar height and platform elevation are consistent and controlled, Carbis unit train flat ramps provide a straightforward, durable access solution. Flat ramps are well-suited to terminals where car spotting is precise and crash box clearance is not a variable. Built to the same aluminium and stainless steel standards as our telescoping
units, with custom widths and integrated safety cage options available.
Tracking Railcar Gangways
Carbis track-mounted railcar gangways travel horizontally along a fixed rail system,
allowing a single gangway unit to serve multiple hatch positions on the same car or across consecutive cars in a unit train consist. For multi-dome tank cars and high-frequency unit train terminals, tracking gangways dramatically reduce loading time by eliminating
the need to re-spot the railcar between hatch access. Custom engineered to your track spacing, platform configuration, and car fleet.
See How We Can Help You:
✓ Run best-in-class safety measures
✓ Transform throughput
✓ Boost workforce morale and commitment
✓ Set you on the road for a better future