Abstract: An apparatus that can be affixed to a standard railcar thereby converting a standard railcar into a self-propelled railcar, such self-propelled railcar having the capacity to move independently and serve as a locomotive for moving other railcars. The apparatus includes a railcar drive assembly that can be retrofitted to a railcar in such a manner that the hydraulic motor, hoses, and connectors of the drive assembly motor mechanism are positioned below the bed of the railway car and between the drive assembly housing and the railway car's wheel-and-truck assembly. This drive assembly design ensures that the drive assembly motor mechanism's hydraulic motor, hoses, and connectors are protected from general railway track debris as well as obstructions in the railroad right of way, and helps prevent unnecessary damage or the need for untimely maintenance.

Abstract: An apparatus that can be affixed to a standard railcar thereby converting a standard railcar into a self-propelled railcar, such self-propelled railcar having the capacity to move independently and serve as a locomotive for moving other railcars. The apparatus includes a railcar drive assembly that can be retrofitted to a railcar in such a manner that the hydraulic motor, hoses, and connectors of the drive assembly motor mechanism are positioned below the bed of the railway car and between the drive assembly housing and the railway car's wheel-and-truck assembly. This drive assembly design ensures that the drive assembly motor mechanism's hydraulic motor, hoses, and connectors are protected from general railway track debris as well as obstructions in the railroad right of way, and helps prevent unnecessary damage or the need for untimely maintenance.

Abstract: A system and a method for remedying wheel-slippage while maintaining maximum acceleration power. The present invention monitors the speed of each of the traction motors used to drive the wheels, gears, or pulleys of a device such as the wheels of a locomotive (210) is monitored. If the speed of a particular traction motor exceeds the speed of the other traction motors by a percentage, the wheels that are driven by that particular traction motor are considered to be slipping (220). This is referred to as wheel-slippage. The wheel-slippage is remedied by briefly interrupting the supply of power to that particular traction motor (230, 240). This technique allows wheel-slippage to be corrected without reducing the motive power applied to non-slipping wheels, thereby maintaining maximum acceleration power.