Abstract: An automated and semi-automated trackside railcar door opener and closer for use with railcar doors located on or near the bottom of the railcar including a tool carriage, a controller and a support substantially parallel to a railroad track. A railcar door opener includes an alignment sensor for aligning the opening tool with a railcar door latch and a railcar door latch opener for releasing the railcar door latch. A railcar door closer includes at least two closer arms configured to close railcar doors on or near the bottom of a railcar. The opening and closing tools are each coupled to the tool carriage, and the tool carriage is moveably attached to the support. A controller controls movement and operation of the tool carriage, opening tool and closing tool.

Abstract: An automated and semi-automated trackside railcar door opener and closer for use with railcar doors located on or near the bottom of the railcar including a tool carriage, a controller and a support substantially parallel to a railroad track. A railcar door opener includes an alignment sensor for aligning the opening tool with a railcar door latch and a railcar door latch opener for releasing the railcar door latch. A railcar door closer includes at least two closer arms configured to close railcar doors on or near the bottom of a railcar. The opening and closing tools are each coupled to the tool carriage, and the tool carriage is moveably attached to the support. A controller controls movement and operation of the tool carriage, opening tool and closing tool.

Abstract: A servo that is attachabley secured to the rail car frame at each door lock that is connected to the latch via a draw bar with sufficient modulus to withstand the repeated force required to move the latch thus opening the door. The servo provides a pulling action with the motive force being pneumatic pressure but not limited to pneumatic whereas hydraulic or electric energy can be supplied to the servo providing the motive force to pull the draw bar attached to the latch, that when said servo provides a pulling force sufficient to over come the friction ot the latch to the striker plate the latch moves in a upward direction thus releasing the door to open. A second element of the servo is to provide a pushing action via the draw bar to the door latch to drive it all the way into the closed position.