Abstract: An intermodal transportation system is provided having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars. Individual trailers are dropped off at a railyard by over-the-road tractors and are then transported onto the railcars using various means as makes sense due to weather, location, and other factors.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system is provided having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars.

Abstract: A powered converter trolley for movement and attachment of trailers is provided. The trolley comprises a conventional converter trolley having a drawbar. The trolley has a power supply and operates as a towing device. The trolley connects to a freight trailer and can be raised or lowered from a stored position to a ground-engaging, working position. Alternatively, the wheels of the trolley may be powered for providing motion to the trolley. The trolley further comprises several attachment devices for securing the trolley to an intermodal railcar, including alternative hydraulic, mechanical, and electrically-powered tie down devices. A trolley movable along a railcar is provided for securing the trolley or trailer to the railcar and includes a hitch component for selectively interconnecting to a hitch component on the trolley or trailer.

Abstract: A powered converter trolley for movement and attachment of trailers is provided. The trolley comprises a conventional converter trolley having a drawbar. The trolley has a power supply and operates as a towing device. The trolley connects to a freight trailer and can be raised or lowered from a stored position to a ground-engaging, working position. Alternatively, the wheels of the trolley may be powered for providing motion to the trolley. The trolley further comprises several attachment devices for securing the trolley to an intermodal railcar, including alternative hydraulic, mechanical, and electrically-powered tie down devices. A trolley movable along a railcar is provided for securing the trolley or trailer to the railcar and includes a hitch component for selectively interconnecting to a hitch component on the trolley or trailer.

Abstract: A powered converter dolly for movement and attachment of trailers is provided. The dolly comprises a conventional converter dolly having a retractable landing gear assembly mounting wheels attached to the drawbar. The dolly has a power supply and operates as a towing device. The landing gear assembly provides steering for the dolly as well as motive power from a motor connected to the landing gear wheels. Alternatively, the wheels of the dolly may be powered for providing motion to the dolly. The dolly further comprises several attachment devices for securing the dolly to an intermodal railcar, including alternative hydraulic, mechanical, and electrically-powered tie down devices. A trolley movable along a railcar is provided for securing the dolly or trailer to the railcar and includes a hitch component for selectively interconnecting to a hitch component on the dolly or trailer.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars. Individual trailers are assembled into trailer assemblies at an assembly area. Trailers containing freight are assembled into trailer assembles using specialized dollies. A preferred embodiment includes using a self-powered dolly having tires and mounting a fifth-wheel pickup plate and a ring coupler for engaging the kingpin of a trailer. Multiple dolly-trailer assemblies are connected together to form a trailer assembly. A self-powered movable ramp is positioned at an end of the railcar assembly and a tractor pulls the trailer assembly onto a railcar assembly by driving up a self-powered movable ramp and across the top of the railcars.

Abstract: A powered converter dolly for movement and attachment of trailers is provided. The dolly comprises a conventional converter dolly having a retractable landing gear assembly mounting wheels attached to the drawbar. The dolly has a power supply and operates as a towing device. The landing gear assembly provides steering for the dolly as well as motive power from a motor connected to the landing gear wheels. Alternatively, the wheels of the dolly may be powered for providing motion to the dolly. The dolly further comprises several attachment devices for securing the dolly to an intermodal railcar, including alternative hydraulic, mechanical, and electrically-powered tie down devices. A trolley movable along a railcar is provided for securing the dolly or trailer to the railcar and includes a hitch component for selectively interconnecting to a hitch component on the dolly or trailer.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars. Individual trailers are assembled into trailer assemblies at an assembly area. Trailers containing freight are assembled into trailer assembles using specialized dollies. A preferred embodiment includes using a self-powered dolly having tires and mounting a fifth-wheel pickup plate and a ring coupler for engaging the kingpin of a trailer. Multiple dolly-trailer assemblies are connected together to form a trailer assembly. A self-powered movable ramp is positioned at an end of the railcar assembly and a tractor pulls the trailer assembly onto a railcar assembly by driving up a self-powered movable ramp and across the top of the railcars.