Abstract: A lashing pawl for engaging a hole in member to retainably engage a lashing line thereto, and thereby facilitate lashing the member to a fixture or vehicle, wherein the member has a distal face and a proximal face spaced apart by a depth of the hole, and wherein the lashing pawl includes a pin hole formed therethrough for engaging the lashing line, and an engagement face that engages the distal face of the member to retain the lashing pawl in place.

Abstract: A saddle and foot stop mounting system for large tower sections transported by rail. A locating assembly, including a key rail assembly and a foot stop assembly are used in conjunction with movable saddles. The foot stop assembly includes a locating key for engaging one of plural key fixtures along the key rail, which defines plural mounting locations for the foot stop. Used in conjunction with the movable saddles, this system accommodates a wide range of tower section sizes and weights.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade rail fixture set employing a pair of support assemblies, each having a bolster, radius arm, and pivot disposed on a pair of railcars to minimize lateral overhang as the train traverses railroad curves, and having a slidable carriage disposed on one radius arm to accommodate changes in length between the bolsters.

Abstract: A saddle and foot stop mounting system for large tower sections transported by rail. A locating assembly, including a key rail assembly and a foot stop assembly are used in conjunction with movable saddles. The foot stop assembly includes a locating key for engaging one of plural key fixtures along the key rail, which defines plural mounting locations for the foot stop. Used in conjunction with the movable saddles, this system accommodates a wide range of tower section sizes and weights.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting a first and second airfoil using a center railcar coupled to two additional railcars. A pair of root brackets support the root ends of the two airfoils on the two additional cars, aligning the two airfoils over the center car. A lower sling stand on the center railcar has a pair of vertical side members extending upwardly to hang a lower sling that support the first airfoil. An upper sling stand has a base that is supported by the lower sling stand, and also has a pair of upper side members that support an upper sling. The second airfoil is supported by the upper sling. The upper sling stand is fixedly supported on the lower sling stand so as to support the second airfoil above the first airfoil in overlapping fashion.

Abstract: Airfoil transportation using two railcars. A radius arm connects a deck pivot and a bolster pivot, where the deck pivot is coupled to the first railcar to enable arcuate transverse movement of the bolster pivot. A pair of deck stops on either side of the radius arm limit lateral movement of the first bolster pivot. A bolster supports the airfoil and is coupled to the radius arm by the bolster pivot. A wheel assembly under the radius arm carries the weight of the airfoil as it moves laterally. A bolster lock, lock release, and latch operate to hold the bolster in a fixed angular relationship with the radius until the lock release enables rotation at the deck stops positions. The latch holds the radius arm against the deck stop until the bolster returns to the fixed angular position, where the latch releases the radius arm to further translate laterally.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting a first and second airfoil using a center railcar coupled to two additional railcars. A pair of root brackets support the root ends of the two airfoils on the two additional cars, aligning the two airfoils over the center car. A lower sling stand on the center railcar has a pair of vertical side members extending upwardly to hang a lower sling that support the first airfoil. An upper sling stand has a base that is supported by the lower sling stand, and also has a pair of upper side members that support an upper sling. The second airfoil is supported by the upper sling. The upper sling stand is fixedly supported on the lower sling stand so as to support the second airfoil above the first airfoil in overlapping fashion.

Abstract: A system for transporting an airfoil over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar. The system includes a root bracket that supports a root end of the airfoil on the first railcar, and is oriented to align a tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar. A blade support is fixed to the second railcar and is disposed to support the airfoil along its midsection. A weight is hung from a tension member on the second railcar such that the force of gravity induces tension forces along the tension member. An urging member is disposed on the second railcar and oriented to engage the airfoil between the blade support and the tip end of the airfoil. The urging member is coupled to the tension member such that the tension forces are transferred to the urging member to induce lateral forces against the airfoil.

Abstract: A system for transporting an airfoil over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar. The system includes a root bracket that supports a root end of the airfoil on the first railcar, and is oriented to align a tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar. A blade support is fixed to the second railcar and is disposed to support the airfoil along its midsection. A weight is hung from a tension member on the second railcar such that the force of gravity induces tension forces along the tension member. An urging member is disposed on the second railcar and oriented to engage the airfoil between the blade support and the tip end of the airfoil. The urging member is coupled to the tension member such that the tension forces are transferred to the urging member to induce lateral forces against the airfoil.

Abstract: A system for transporting an airfoil over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar. The system includes a root bracket that supports a root end of the airfoil on the first railcar, and is oriented to align a tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar. A blade support is fixed to the second railcar and is disposed to support the airfoil along its midsection. A weight is hung from a tension member on the second railcar such that the force of gravity induces tension forces along the tension member. An urging member is disposed on the second railcar and oriented to engage the airfoil between the blade support and the tip end of the airfoil. The urging member is coupled to the tension member such that the tension forces are transferred to the urging member to induce lateral forces against the airfoil.

Abstract: A system for transporting an airfoil having a root end, a tip end, and a midsection over a railroad, utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second rail car. The system includes a bracket fixed to the root end of the airfoil and also connected to the first railcar, where the bracket is oriented to align the tip end of the airfoil toward the second rail car. A sling stand is connected to the second railcar, and a sling is hung from the sling stand and aligned to engage and support the midsection of the airfoil, and thereby accommodates misalignment during transport over the railroad. A pair of rollers are disposed on either side of the airfoil to limit lateral movement thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for transporting an airfoil, which has a root end, a tip end, and a midsection, over a railroad utilizing a first railcar coupled to a second railcar. The system includes a bracket fixed to the root end of the airfoil and connected to the first railcar, and, the bracket is oriented to align the tip end of the airfoil toward the second railcar. A sliding support is connected to the first railcar at a position between the bracket and the second railcar. The sliding support is adapted to engage the midsection of the airfoil and support the airfoil while enabling the airfoil to move laterally. A lateral guide structure is connected to the second railcar, and aligned to engage the airfoil to limit its lateral movement.