Abstract: A push camera apparatus comprising: (a) at least one reel configured to rotate on a base to pay out or reel in a cable, the reel having a cable input; (b) the cable having a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being connected to the cable input; (c) a camera connected to the distal end and configured to transmit image data through the cable to the cable input; and (d) a communication module operatively connected to the cable input and configured to rotate with the reel, and to transmit wirelessly the image data from the cable input to a wireless controller.

Abstract: A crossing gate mechanism includes a swingable gate arm, a rotatable gate arm shaft fixed to the gate arm, and an electronic sensor assembly coupled to the gate arm shaft. Rotation of the gate arm shaft corresponds with swinging of the gate arm. The electronic sensor assembly senses an angular position of the gate arm shaft and transmits a position signal corresponding thereto. The electronic sensor assembly includes a driving element that is attached to the gate arm shaft to rotate therewith. the electronic sensor assembly also includes a driven element that is driven by the driving element such that rotation of the gate arm shaft causes the driven element to rotate. The electronic sensor assembly is configured to generate the position signal based on a position of the gate arm shaft.

Abstract: The electric vehicle can include: a payload interface, a payload suspension, a chassis, a set of bumpers, a sensor suite, a controller, a chassis suspension, and an electric powertrain. The electric vehicle 100 can optionally include a payload adapter, a power source, a cooling subsystem, and/or any other suitable components. The electric vehicle functions to structurally support a payload, such as a cargo container (e.g., intermodal container, ISO container, etc.), and/or to facilitate transportation of a payload via railway infrastructure.

Abstract: A crossing gate mechanism includes a gate mechanism enclosure, electrical components inside the gate mechanism enclosure, and a controller inside the gate mechanism enclosure. The controller is connected to and configured to monitor and/or control the electrical components. The controller includes an operator panel for receiving input from a user. In addition, the controller has a user interface displayed by the operator panel. The controller is operable to present information associated with the electrical components on the user interface.

Abstract: A rail vehicle is configured for extracting electrical energy from a power supply external to the vehicle and has at least one electrical energy storage unit. In a first operating mode, the rail vehicle travels by means of energy extracted from the power supply and without energy from the energy storage unit. In a second operating mode, the rail vehicle travels, at least in part, by means of energy from the energy storage unit and/or at reduced traction power in comparison to the first operating mode. The rail vehicle includes a controller set up for activating the first or the second operating mode, as a function of an upper consumption limit, which defines the permissible upper limit of the power that can be extracted from the power supply. The upper consumption limit is established in a variable manner so as to prevent power peaks in the power supply.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a longitudinal door system comprising one or more longitudinal doors for a railcar and a longitudinal operating beam coupled to the one or more longitudinal doors via one or more struts. A translation of the longitudinal operating beam is coupled to an opening and closing of the one or more longitudinal doors. The door system further comprising a gearbox coupled to the longitudinal operating beam and a first capstan receptacle. The gearbox is operable to translate a rotational movement of the first capstan receptacle to a linear movement of the longitudinal operating beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an attachment structure (such as an EOT) to a railroad coupler includes a base, a locking member (J-hook), a bolt and one or more spring elements. The base includes a mounting portion for the attachment structure and a sleeve insertable through the attachment structure. The base, the J-hook and the bolt cooperate such that the J-hook is rotated from an unlocked position to a locked position by torque applied via the bolt head. Consequently, the J-hook shaft is pulled inside the sleeve and the J-hook aligns with a clamp face of the base to clamp a portion of the coupler therebetween. Responsive to the applied torque, the one or more spring elements are compressed to allow mechanical engagement between a first surface and a second surface, producing a mechanical torque opposing the applied torque, which reduces axial forces on the J-hook.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a hopper railroad car top hatch cover assembly including a hatch cover and a hatch cover securer configured to secure the hatch cover in a closed position engaging a coaming of the hopper railroad car. Various embodiments provide a hopper railroad car having a top hatch cover assembly including a hatch cover and a hatch cover securer configured to secure the hatch cover in a closed position engaging a coaming of the hopper railroad car.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to work block encroachment warning systems for providing protection for rail workers working in a mobile or fixed work block. For example, a vehicle (V)-aware unit installed on a moving rail vehicle and a work block limit encroachment unit mounted on a railroad may wirelessly communicate with each other to determine a distance between them. When a vehicle is moving toward an occupied work block, the distance may be used to identify potential hazards.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car has a hopper carried between two trucks. The hopper has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a flat bottom discharge. It has a rectangular frame at least half as wide as the car, and at least half as great as the truck center distance. The car capacity is over 5000 cu. ft. The bottom discharge is lower than the center sill. There are ring frames having a bottom reinforcement that passes clear under the center sill. The car has flat bottom discharge gates having multiple arrays of louvers. The side sheets extend downwardly beyond the side sills, so that the side slope sheets terminate at a transition below the side sills. The louvers have curved edges. The louvers move together. The gate may include two opposed sliding doors separated by a beam that runs under the center sill.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to system for stabilizing a track-wheel based device is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a support track configured to support the track-wheel based device. The system may further include a support-finger coupled to the track-wheel based device via a pivot point, the support-finger being rotatable about the pivot point between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the support-finger may be configured to sandwich the support track between the track-wheel based device and the support-finger. The system may further include a biasing member having a first end and second end. The biasing member may be coupled to the at least one support-finger via the first end, and to the track-wheel based device via the second end. Further, the biasing member may be configured to maintain the at least one support-finger biased in the first position.

Abstract: Apparatus, devices, assemblies, systems and methods of using w spring clips over spikes for holding railroad tie spikes down to wood and concrete railroad ties and hold the spike heads to the rails. A first embodiment can use rail tie plates with box holders for holding end portions of a w shaped spring steel clip to press against cap heads of railroad tie spikes. A second embodiment can use a rail tie plates with vertical supports for horizontal bars over heads of railroad tie spikes. A third embodiment can use rail tie plates with vertical studs and upper threaded ends with flat plates attached by nuts over heads of rail road tie spikes, and with cotter pins locking the nuts in place. Additional embodiments include metal structures fastened, welded and/or forged to tie plates for allowing w shaped spring clips with mid portions that hold down heads on spikes to prevent the spikes from coming out.

Abstract: A railroad fastening system that includes a see-thru (transparent or translucent) rail seat assembly which allows for immediate visual feedback to assess whether that a sufficient amount of adhesive material has been applied to a crosstie during the installation of a rail seat assembly on a crosstie to ensure a long-lasting bond and a proper cant, flatness and height of a rail seat assembly.

Abstract: A deflector for use with railcars and containers. The deflector may be used to retrofit railcars and other container to reduce aerodynamic drag. The deflector may be collapsible for use with stacked containers.

Abstract: A construct can include an access drift; a length of rail disposed in the access drift; a pair of raise climbers, each adapted to be supported by the rail; a turntable to which the rail is mounted, the turntable being adapted to support the rail, and a raise climber supported thereby, for movement about an axis; a nest disposed adjacent the turntable; and a plurality of rails, each extending from the turntable such that, when the turntable is operatively positioned, the rail of the turntable is aligned therewith, the plurality including at least a pair of curve rails and a nest rail, the curve rails each being adapted to develop a raise and the nest rail being positioned in the nest.

Abstract: A handheld portable solenoid activation device for operating doors of hopper railcars includes a battery power source and is configured for safe single hand operation in either opening or closing arrangements, recharging of the batteries, and isolation of the electrical components from the operator. The device or remote includes a housing configured to be held in one hand of the user; a battery power source within the housing; a pair of leads extending from the housing and selectively coupled to the battery power source and configured to align and connect with the touch plate and ground plate of a railroad car door operating solenoid; and an activator configured for one handed operation by the user, wherein activation when the leads are connecting the touch plate and ground plate will activate the solenoid for opening or closing of the railroad car door.

Abstract: A moving part of a maglev train, comprising two levitation frames that are arranged at an interval along the direction of travel, the two levitation frames being connected by means of a vertical beam; a peripheral wall of the vertical beam provided with a slot that may reduce the torsional rigidity thereof, being capable of reducing the torsional rigidity of the traditional vertical beam so as to reduce the coupling effect between the two levitation frames that are connected by means of the vertical beam, thereby greatly reducing the difficulty and energy consumption of levitation control. The levitation frames and the train body are provided therebetween with a vertical shock absorber and a horizontal absorber having suitable damping values, the levitation frames and the train body are provided therebetween with horizontal stoppers and vertical stoppers which may prevent excessive horizontal movement, rollover and overturning.

Abstract: A fastening system for fastening a rail for rolling stocks such as trains, including a base plate, an elastic material and a rigid casing, wherein the base plate is embedded in the elastic material and the elastic material is arranged, at least partially, between the base plate and the rigid casing.

Abstract: A railroad car hatch cover assembly including a replaceable combined hatch cover protector and gasket that can be quickly and easily mounted to a hatch cover of the vented hatch cover assembly and easily and quickly removed therefrom. In certain embodiments, the combined hatch cover protector and gasket includes an outer sealing member configured to be positioned in a pocket of the hatch cover, an inner protector element holder, a protector element held by and secured to the protector element holder, and a dual connector connecting the outer sealing member and the inner protector element holder, and configured to partially facilitate connection to the hatch cover.

Abstract: A switch is presented for a magnetically suspended or at least guided vehicle. The switch comprises a fork from a first track segment to a second and third track segment. An elongate conductive module, for example a conductive wire is provided along at least the first track segment and optionally along the second and third track segment. The conductive module comprises conductor segments that guide a current with a directional component substantially parallel the length of the track, at a first surface of the track. With an electromagnet provided on a carriage having a pole directed to the first surface of the track, a Lorentz force may be provided for urging the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the length of the track. This allows a carriage moving along the first track segment to be urged towards the second or third track segment at the other side of the fork.