Abstract: A rail-car positioner comprises a carriage on a track running alongside and parallel to the train track and an elongate arm on the carriage is transversely displaceable to enter between a pair of coupled rail-cars of the train and connect the positioner drivingly to the train. The arm is extended substantially axially, from a retracted position on the carriage, in a preferably generally horizontal first direction to introduce an end of the arm between the pair of rail-cars, and said end is then engaged with the rail-cars' coupling by displacing it in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A train position control arm adapted for use in handling cars of a unit train in a movable train positioner and in a stationary train holder. The arm is proportioned to engage a car coupler from a zone limited to the area immediately above the coupler so that a symmetrical pair of such arms may be simultaneously employed at the same location on a mating pair of couplers. A coupler engaging head of the arm includes elements for engaging and disengaging a coupler under full compression or buff loading. In a train holder apparatus, the arm is pivotally supported on a horizontal axis spaced from the tracks and at substantially the same height as a car coupler. A stationary base supporting the arm includes shock absorbing apparatus adapted to resist impact forces on the arm along a line coincident with the pivot axis.

Abstract: There is provided, in a railroad car positioning apparatus of the general type shown and described in Reissue Patent No. Re. 27,300 dated Feb. 22, 1972, an improvement in the car positioner arm which is adapted to move between a pair of coupled railroad cars and into car pushing engagement with the cars centrally thereof. The improvement involves the provision, in combination, of force transferring means on the distal extremity of the car positioner arm for engaging a coupled coupler between a pair of coupled railroad cars, separate force transferring means also on the distal extremity of the car positioner arm for engaging an open coupler of at least one uncoupled railroad car, and means for shifting the two force transferring means for selectively disposing either of them in its operative, car-manipulating position and the other in a stored or inoperative position.