Abstract: Trailers are loaded on and unloaded from railroad flatcars by use of a system including tractors to pull the trailers, an end ramp at the end of the train, and a movable side ramp structure at the side of the train. The movable ramp structure has a ramp and a retractable bridge extending from the top of the ramp to the top of a flatcar in the train. In unloading, a tractor drives up the movable ramp and across the bridge to get onto the flatcar. Then the bridge is retracted, the tractor hitches onto one of the trailers, and pulls it along the joined beds of the flatcars and down the end ramp. The tractor then takes the trailer to a storage area, unhitches the trailer, and returns to the movable ramp structure to repeat the process. While the first tractor is pulling the trailer along the tops of the flatcars, the movable ramp structure moves to a position near the next trailer to be unloaded, and extends the bridge again.

Abstract: Trailers are loaded on and unloaded from railroad flatcars by use of a system including tractors to pull the trailers, an end ramp at the end of the train, and a movable side ramp structure at the side of the train. The movable ramp structure has a ramp and a retractable bridge extending from the top of the ramp to the top of a flatcar in the train. In unloading, a tractor drives up the movable ramp and across the bridge to get onto the flatcar. Then the bridge is retracted, the tractor hitches onto one of the trailers, and pulls it along the joined beds of the flatcars and down the end ramp. The tractor then takes the trailer to a storage area, unhitches the trailer, and returns to the movable ramp structure to repeat the process. While the first tractor is pulling the trailer along the tops of the flatcars, the movable ramp structure moves to a position near the next trailer to be unloaded, and extends the bridge again.