DA Form 5618-R Download: Conductor’s Wheel Report (LRA) – US Army rail operations require precise documentation to ensure safe, efficient movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies across military rail networks. One essential document is DA Form 5618-R, officially titled the Conductor’s Wheel Report (LRA). This form serves as the primary record of a train’s run and supports operational accountability in military railway units.
Whether you’re a US Army conductor, rail operations specialist, or logistics personnel searching for “DA Form 5618-R download” or “Conductor’s Wheel Report Army,” this guide provides everything you need. It covers the form’s purpose, how to use it, key sections, and the official download link from Army Publishing Directorate (armypubs.army.mil).
What Is DA Form 5618-R?
DA Form 5618-R is a Department of the Army form dated December 1986. It is designated LRA (Local Reproduction Authorized), meaning units can reproduce it locally on 8½ x 11-inch paper without special approval.
- Proponent Agency: TRADOC (U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command)
- For Use With: FM 55-20 (Railway Operating and Safety Rules) and related rail doctrine (still referenced in current Army rail publications such as ATP 4-14 series)
- Status: Active and available through official Army eForms
The form is a tabular “wheel report” used exclusively in military railroading for freight, passenger, or mixed trains operating over divisions or subdivisions of track.
Purpose of the Conductor’s Wheel Report
The Conductor’s Wheel Report (DA Form 5618-R) serves two primary functions:
- Official Record of the Train’s Run — It captures real-time operational data, including departure/arrival times, stations/yards served, and cars handled.
- Car Movement Accountability — It lists every car picked up or set out, mirroring much of the information found on the train consist and waybills.
At the end of the trip, the conductor submits the completed form to the chief dispatcher or superintendent responsible for car service. This ensures accurate tracking of rolling stock, supports maintenance scheduling, and provides data for after-action reviews or accident investigations.
Note: While sometimes called a “wheel report,” its primary focus is the overall train movement and car handling—not just wheel defects (those are typically reported via separate mechanical inspection forms).
Who Uses DA Form 5618-R?
- Train conductors in Army railway operating battalions and transportation units
- Military rail crews operating in CONUS training areas or overseas theaters
- Dispatchers and rail superintendents who receive the reports
- Logistics and transportation officers managing rail assets
It is a required document under Army rail safety and operations doctrine for main-line movements.
How to Fill Out DA Form 5618-R? (Step-by-Step Guidance)
The conductor prepares the form at the yard office before departure and completes it during or at the end of the run. Key sections include:
- Header Information
- Train No.
- Direction
- Unit (military unit designation)
- Engine / Caboose / Brake Van / Station
- Page of Pages
- Date
- Departure / Arrival Blocks
- Time and date of departure
- Time and date of arrival
- Main Tabular Section (typically 24+ lines)
Columns usually include:- Initial & Number (car initials and number)
- Type (car type code)
- Taken / Left At (station or milepost where car was picked up or set out)
- Line (sequence or line number)
- Contents (load description or commodity)
- Destination
- Remarks (special notes, defects, hazmat info, etc.)
Additional Entries:
- Names of crew members (if required by local SOP)
- Special comments in the Remarks column (e.g., delays, mechanical issues, or security notes)
- Any waybills or consists referenced for cars set off en route
Best Practice: Complete entries legibly at each stop or as events occur. Submit the original to the chief dispatcher or designated rail operations office immediately upon arrival.
Where to Download the Official DA Form 5618-R PDF?
✅ Official Source (Recommended):
Download DA Form 5618-R (Conductor’s Wheel Report) – PDF
This is the current, fillable version hosted directly by the U.S. Army Publishing Directorate (armypubs.army.mil). Always use the official link to ensure you have the latest authorized form.
Related Army Rail Forms and Resources
- DA Form 5619-R – Daily Empty Car Situation Report
- DA Form 5620-R – Daily Installation Situation Report
- FM 55-20 / ATP 4-14 series – Railway operations doctrine
- Train Consist / Waybills – Used in conjunction with the wheel report
For full context on military rail procedures, refer to current Army Techniques Publications (ATP) on rail operations available through armypubs.army.mil or your unit’s training resources.
Why Accurate Completion Matters?
In military rail operations, the Conductor’s Wheel Report directly supports:
- Safety — Quick identification of mechanical or operational issues
- Accountability — Tracking of DoD-owned or leased railcars
- Logistics Efficiency — Timely car movement data for theater sustainment
- Compliance — Meets requirements under Army rail safety regulations
Need the Form Fast?
Bookmark the official download link above. Units with LRA authority can print unlimited copies locally. For questions about usage, consult your unit rail operations officer or refer to FM 55-20 / current ATP rail publications.
Last Updated: May 2026 – Information verified from official U.S. Army sources (armypubs.army.mil and current rail doctrine). Always check armypubs.army.mil for the most current version of any DA form.