Abstract: In a system for positioning supporting trailers on stanchions of a railroad car, an optical system is provided to allow the operator to monitor the relationship of the tractor, trailer, stanchion and actuators on the tractor. The unique system of stanchion position indicia is provided to allow rapid and accurate selection of the stanchion position. The tractor includes a positively controlled actuator for operating the breakdown trigger of the stanchion to unlock it.

Abstract: A braking system including a brakepipe control valve which controls pressure on a brakepipe in response to braking pressure signal from an electropneumatic converter. An electropneumatic cutoff valve connects the control valve to the brake pipe. A controller controls the converter and cutoff valve. A parking brake system and retarder control system are also included and are controlled by the controller.

Abstract: A retainer is provided for retaining a catch mounted to a first portion of a split ramp car in its unlocked position as a second portion of a ramp car exits a locking area in which it is previously locked. An arm portion of the retainer extends into the locking area and controls the operation of the retainer in response to the movement of the ramp and the locking area. A fluid coupler, automatically couples a first and second portions of a main reservoir pipe and a first and second portions of a brake pipe connected to each first and second portion of the ramp car respectively, when the ramp is in its raised and travel position. Valves in each of the main reservoir passages close the main reservoir passage when the first and second housings are separated and opens the main reservoir passages when the first and second housings are joined. An electrical coupler is also automatically coupled as the two portions of the ramp car are joined.

Abstract: A stanchion is provided with a latch system which is operable from the tractor which positions the trailers such that a gate on the tractor locks and unlocks the latch to appropriately reposition the stanchion during the positioning of the trailer. The tractor also includes a hook which engages the stand to raise the stand during loading of the trailer from its lowered to its raised position to engage and secure the tractor and also to reposition the unlocked stand during unloading of the trailer.

Abstract: In a system for positioning supporting trailers on stanchions of a railroad car, an optical system is provided to allow the operator to monitor the relationship of the tractor, trailer, stanchion and actuators on the tractor. The unique system of stanchion position indicia is provided to allow rapid and accurate selection of the stanchion position. The tractor includes a positively controlled actuator for operating the breakdown trigger of the stanchion to unlock it.

Abstract: A retainer is provided for retaining a catch mounted to a first portion of a split ramp car in its unlocked position as a second portion of a ramp car exits a locking area in which it is previously locked. An arm portion of the retainer extends into the locking area and controls the operation of the retainer in response to the movement of the ramp and the locking area. A fluid coupler, automatically couples a first and second portions of a main reservoir pipe and a first and second portions of a brake pipe connected to each first and second portion of the ramp car respectively, when the ramp is in its raised and travel position. Valves in each of the main reservoir passages close the main reservoir passage when the first and second housings are separated and opens the main reservoir passages when the first and second housings are joined. An electrical coupler is also automatically coupled as the two portions of the ramp car are joined.

Abstract: Method for loading and unloading semitrailers on a train of flat cars by coupling the semitrailers to power driven stanchions respectively, providing the power driven stanchions with automatic control in the form of proximity sensors for governing movement of the semitrailers in accordance with proximity of adjoining semitrailers and automatically steering the stanchions along a guide path to load and unload the train.

Abstract: A ramp car for loading and unloading vehicles comprises first and second ramps mounted respectively to first and second wheel sets. The first and second ramps extend toward each other in a lowered loading position for providing access for vehicles to a train in both directions. The first and second ramps are locked to each other in a raised travel position. The ramp car also includes a displacement structure having guide mechanism associated with the first and second ramps for guiding the raising and lowering of the ramps. The ramp car is provided with a controller device for selectively controlling the operation of the ramp car. The controller device may be an integral part of the ramp car or may be selectively plugged into a port on either ramp of the car.

Abstract: A stanchion is provided with a latch system which is operable from the tractor which positions the trailers such that a gate on the tractor locks and unlocks the latch to appropriately reposition the stanchion during the position of the trailer. The tractor also includes a hook which engages the stand to raise the stand during loading of the trailer from its lowered to its raised position to engage and secure the tractor and also to reposition the unlocked stand during unloading of the trailer.

Abstract: A graduated release device which includes a valve, for example a check valve, connecting a control valve port and a brake cylinder port which prevents flow from the brake cylinder port to the control valve port. A graduating section controls the valve to produce graduated release of the brake cylinder in response to pressure on the brake cylinder port, brake pipe port and graduating volume port. An automatic mode section controls the valve to produce direct release of the brake cylinder in response to less than a predetermined value of pressure on the supply line port. If it is a two pipe system which includes graduated release, an appropriate pressure will appear on the supply line port and therefore allow the valve to be controlled by the graduating section.

Abstract: Method for loading and unloading semitrailers on a train of flat cars by coupling the semitrailers to power driven stanchions respectively, providing the power driven stanchions with automatic control in the form of proximity sensors for governing movement of the semitrailers in accordance with proximity of adjoining semitrailers and automatically steering the stanchions along a guide path to load and unload the train.

Abstract: A parking brake having an output lever connected at a first pivot point to a brake rod, at a second pivot point to a automatic fluid responsive actuator and at a third point to one end of a chain of a standard manual releaseable parking brake unit. The other end of the chain is connected to a reset lever which is activated by the automatic actuator to reset the manual parking brake unit after manual release and during automatic release. The automatic actuator includes an air bellows to drive a piston, and a simple interlock valve connecting the air spring to a brake line.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for loading and unloading semitrailers on a train of flat cars by coupling the semitrailers to power driven stanchions respectively, providing the power driven stanchions with automatic control in the form of proximity sensors for governing movement of the semitrailers in accordance with proximity of adjoining semitrailers and automatically steering the stanchions along a guide path to load and unload the train.

Abstract: A truck having a pair of wheels mounted by individual stub axles to longitudinal members of a frame. Lateral members of the frame received the forces from the wheels via the longitudinal members and forces from the car via air springs mouted to the lateral members adjacent the longitudinal members. The stub axles are easily removed from U-shaped retainers. A sleeve through the hollow axle retains the bearings to the axle. Half shafts interconnects/a gear box and the stub axles for driven trucks and the interconnect are dimensioned to allow the shafts to be removed axially through the hollow axle.

Abstract: A truck having a pair of wheels mounted by individual stub axles to longitudinal members of a frame. Lateral members of the frame received the forces from the wheels via the longitudinal members and forces from the car via air springs mounted to the lateral members adjacent the longitudinal members. The stub axles are easily removed from U-shaped retainers. A sleeve through the hollow axis retains the bearings to the axle. Half shafts interconnect a gear box and the stub axles for driven trucks and the interconnections are dimensioned to allow the shafts to be removed axially through the hollow axle.

Abstract: A fluid brake system has a brake pipe, a control valve device, a brake cylinder and a brake rigging, and in addition, a handbrake pipe, a protective device, a fluid pressure releasable spring handbrake cylinder, and a manually operable handbrake device for selectively governing brakes of the brake rigging under varying conditions, as when air supply is disconnected from a train. A moveable fulcrum in the manual handbrake device permits manual release of spring applied handbrakes in combination with a resetable toggle locking connection to a handbrake rod.

Abstract: A modulation valve device for governing pressure in a brake pipe has coaxial accelerating and releasing valves provided wherein accelerated application and release pistons are dovetailed together to reduce the size and the weight of the modulating device.

Abstract: A fluid brake system has a brake pipe, a control valve device, a brake cylinder and a brake rigging, and in addition, a handbrake pipe, a protective device, a fluid pressure releaseable spring handbrake cylinder, and a manually operable handbrake device for selectively governing brakes of the brake rigging under varying conditions, as when air supply is disconnected from a train. A moveable fulcrum in the manual handbrake device permits manual release of spring applied handbrakes in combination with a resetable toggle locking connection to a handbrake rod.

Abstract: Container securing device that permits containers of any length to be carried by an integral or intermodal train including the feature of a container spanning the connection of two adjacent cores. The device is implemented in a two-part structure of an upper and a lower member. The lower member is adapted for fastening at any point along the car deck. The upper member has a pair of spaced corner members for receiving two corners of a container. An interconnecting means is arranged to connect the upper and lower members so that the upper member swivels with respect to the lower member and the car deck when the train rounds a curb and further provides for a longitudinal force dampening effect.

Abstract: A relay valve is provided within a single housing and includes a brake cylinder relay valve with combined highway override, a dual pressure brake cylinder limiting valve responsive to load, highway supply line and rail supply line charge check valves and a rail reservoir protection valve. The brake cylinder relay valve includes a valve spool positioned by a first piston responsive to the control signal from a control valve to determine the flow to the brake cylinder and a second piston responsive to the highway supply line to connect the brake cylinder to exhaust. The limiting valve includes a first piston responsive to load signals to define the first set of limits and a second piston in tandem with the first piston responsive to load signals and emergency brake signal in the brake pipe for increasing the response of the first piston to the load signals in response to an emergency signal on the brake pipe.