N4 supports ANSI standard 418 RAILCONSIST message, release 00 & version 4020.
This message is used to inform the railroad about what containers are shipped out of the terminal via rail. This can be typically sent after planning and loading the containers to the train and when the railroad is about to move them out of the terminal.
The Outbound Rail Consist Message (ANSI 418) permits the transfer of data from a terminal operator to a rail operator. The terminal will send the following details to a rail operator:
Train visit details
Attached railcar details
Loaded container details, including the Bill of Lading attached to the container
Attached equipment details
Hazard information, if any, for the individual containers
This specification provides the definition of the ANSI 418 Outbound Rail Consist message to be used in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) between a terminal operator and a rail operator in the marine/rail domain.
The following sections of this document explain how ANSI 418 Outbound Rail Consist message is handled in N4 and the scope of its implementation. This message is basically used for the following operations carried out by the terminal/rail operators:
The terminal will send the outbound train visit details to the rail road once the planning of the containers is completed.
The rail operator will plan for the train visit that is sent by the terminal.
The rail operator will also plan for the containers received through the EDI message.