Abstract: A modular pedestrian bridge (10) is disclosed. In its simplest form, the bridge (10) includes: a span module (12) having a tunnel (14) sufficient to allow pedestrians to travel through the tunnel (14), the tunnel (14) being defined by a floor (16) and a top (18), defining a height (20), sides (22) defining a width (24) and upper and lower connectors (26) and (28), a tower module (30), a stair assembly (32), the tunnel (14) having sufficient dimensions to allow the tower module (30) to be telescopically fit into the tunnel (14) and the span module (12) being adapted to fit on a chassis or flat bed truck of a vehicle. The bridge (10) is configured to simplify assembly and disassembly and is adapted to fit on a chassis, flat bed truck and the like. The span module (12) is dimensioned, such that it does not have special freight requirements, possibly triggering state and federal escort laws for extra wide or long loads.

Abstract: A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent railcar tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars and/or boats or trucks in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one vehicle such as a railcar on a first of the railcar tracks and placing the load on another vehicle such as a railcar on a second of the railcar tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected railcars and other vehicles.

Abstract: A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent rail car tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one rail car on a first of the rail car tracks and placing the load on another rail car on a second of the rail car tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected rail cars.

Abstract: A system is provided for transferring loads between railroad cars on different tracks. If desired the system may be highly automated. A series of parallel, adjacent rail car tracks are provided for carrying separate strings of connected railcars in side-by-side relation. A second series of tracks is positioned parallel to and adjacent the first-named series of tracks. A plurality of load lifting mechanisms are provided, these mechanisms being independently movable along the second tracks. The mechanisms each have at least one and preferably a plurality of grapplers capable of lifting a load from one rail car on a first of the rail car tracks and placing the load on another rail car on a second of the rail car tracks. Thus, the plurality of load lifting mechanisms can redistribute the loads of separate strings of connected rail cars.