Abstract: Bulk goods are transported on a rail network to a terminal which includes a loading with a metering device for measuring an amount of the bulk goods loaded or unloaded. At the terminal there is a control hub connecting to a plurality of portable hand held field computers and a communication system for communication with the rail network to obtain a Car Location Message (CLM), a way bill and mechanical data for each of the railcars. An input to the hub is provided by a plurality of self-powered scanning stations each including an RFID reader having an antenna for reading the RFID tag of an adjacent rail car where each scanning station has two radar proximity transducers responsive to presence of a rail car where the RFID reader has a quiescent mode and the radar proximity detectors activate the reader from the quiescent mode on detection of a railcar.

Abstract: A car coupling system for a rail vehicle includes a first crash energy management system disposed within a draft sill. The first crash energy management system includes a first end plate, a second end plate, and a first central tube disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate. A second crash energy management system is also disposed within the draft sill. The second crash energy management system includes a third end plate, a fourth end plate, and a second central tube disposed between the third end plate and the fourth end plate.

Abstract: A crash energy management system is configured to be disposed within a draft sill of a car coupling system for a rail vehicle. The crash energy management system includes a front sub-assembly including a front end plate, guide legs extending between the front end plate and a front central plate, a front central tube extending between the front end plate and the front central plate, and stop walls coupled to the guide legs. A rear sub-assembly is coupled to the front sub-assembly, and includes a rear end plate, a rear central plate, and a rear central tube extending between the rear end plate and the rear central plate.

Abstract: A car coupling system for a rail vehicle includes a draft sill, and a crash energy management system disposed within the draft sill. The crash energy management system includes a first end plate, a second end plate, and a central tube disposed between the first end plate and the second end plate. The central tube is configured to deform in response to a force exerted into the car coupling system that exceeds a predetermined force threshold. Deformation of the central tube attenuates at least a portion of the force.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the operating condition of a wheelset on a railcar comprising a sealed unit mounted on or near a wheelset of the railcar for collecting data from the wheelset and performing AI analyses on the collected data to determine the operational condition and predict failure modes for the wheelset. Results are communicated off-railcar wirelessly via one or more of several different methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for railway asset management. The methods comprise: using a virtual reality device to recognize and collect real world information about railway assets located in a railyard; and using the real world information to (i) associate a railway asset to a data collection unit, (ii) provide an individual with an augmented reality experience associated with the railyard and/or (iii) facilitate automated railyard management tasks.

Abstract: A side bearing assembly for a truck assembly of a rail vehicle includes a base, a cap moveably coupled to the base, and one or more elastomer springs disposed between the base and the cap. The one or more elastomer springs include a foam having air pockets that are configured be compressed.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting the operational status of a brake system on a railcar. The system receives from a sensor an indication of the magnitude of a braking force applied by the braking system in response to an instruction to increase or decrease the braking force. It compares the response to possible responses of the braking system in view of the instruction provided. Based on the comparison, the system generates at least one of a message and/or an alert indicating the status of the brake system. Additional sensors, including a pressure sensor on a brake pipe of the railcar, can be added for additional functionality.

Abstract: A damping system for a truck assembly of a rail vehicle includes a first friction shoe configured to engage a first portion of a side frame of the truck assembly, and a first lever pivotally coupled to the first friction shoe.

Abstract: A truck assembly is configured to travel along a track having rails. The truck assembly includes a bolster that includes a first flange, a second flange, and a web connecting the first flange to the second flange. The first flange, the second flange, and the web form an I-beam.

Abstract: A truck assembly is configured to travel along a track having rails, and includes a first side frame, a second side frame, and a bolster extending between the first side frame and the second side frame. One or more of the first side frame, the second frame, or the bolster includes at least a portion formed as an I-beam that includes a web having a first end and a second end opposite from the first end, a first flange extending from the first end of the web, and a second flange extending from the second end of the web. A thickness of the web increases away from a first neutral axis towards the first flange and the second flange.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a wear ring assembly is provided for a railway roller bearing. The wear ring assembly includes a wear ring having a central opening for receiving a journal of a railway wheel assembly and an insert including a plurality of spacers configured to extend in the opening of the wear ring to separate the wear ring from the journal. The spacers are spaced apart from each other about the wear ring. The insert may include one or more flanges that separate the wear ring from a bearing cone.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ring includes clamping a first region of a metal sheet against a mandrel, and, while the first region of the metal sheet is clamped against the mandrel, bending the metal sheet around the mandrel to join opposite end faces of the metal sheet and form the ring shaped to the mandrel. A system for manufacturing a ring from a metal sheet includes (a) a mandrel having a ring-shaped surface, (b) a clamp facing the ring-shaped surface and configured to clamp a first region of a metal sheet to the mandrel, and (c) a plurality of dies configured to bend the metal sheet around the mandrel, while the clamp clamps the first region to the mandrel, to join opposite end faces of the metal sheet and form a ring shaped to the ring-shaped surface.

Abstract: A friction assist side bearing assembly for a truck assembly of a rail vehicle includes a first friction member, a second friction member that opposes the first friction member, and a cap coupled to the first friction member and the second friction member. The cap is configured to contact a portion of a car body coupled to the truck assembly.

Abstract: A force analysis system and method include a truck assembly that is configured to travel along a track having rails. The truck assembly includes a first side frame, a second side frame, a bolster extending between the first side frame and the second side frame, a first wheel set coupled to the first side frame and the second side frame, a second wheel set coupled to the first side frame and the second side frame, and one or more load cells disposed within the first side frame and/or the second side frame. The load cell(s) are configured to detect forces exerted in relation to the first side frame, the second side frame, and/or the bolster.

Abstract: A system, method and assembly for detecting the operational status of one or more discharge gates on one or more railcars. The system and method monitor parameters that include whether the discharge gate is open or closed, whether the railcar is in motion or not, and whether the railcar is in a location where it is acceptable for the discharge gate to be open. Sensors carry out the monitoring, and the information obtained by monitoring the parameters are used to determine if a notification event has taken place and if so, a notification of such event can be transmitted to a remote receiver. A change in the status of any one of the monitored parameters can trigger the determination of whether a notification event has occurred.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a wear ring assembly is provided for a railway roller bearing. The wear ring assembly includes a wear ring having a central opening for receiving a journal of a railway wheel assembly and an insert including a plurality of spacers configured to extend in the opening of the wear ring to separate the wear ring from the journal. The spacers are spaced apart from each other about the wear ring. The insert may include one or more flanges that separate the wear ring from a bearing cone.

Abstract: A truck assembly of a rail vehicle includes a side frame including a spring seat below an opening. The spring seat includes a locating pocket. An end guide system is coupled to the side frame. The end guide system includes a central base configured to be received and retained by the locating pocket. At least one end guide extends outwardly and upwardly from the central base.

Abstract: A dual friction draft gear assembly for a car coupling system of a rail car includes a housing having an internal chamber. One or more friction shoes are disposed within the internal chamber. A first load block has, defines, or otherwise provides a first angled interface with the one or more friction shoes. A second load block has, defines or otherwise provides a second angled interface with the one or more friction shoes.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, a side bearing is provided for supporting a body of a rail car. The side bearing includes a base for being mounted to a truck of the rail car, a support configured to contact the body of the rail car and move along a vertical axis relative to the base with movement of the body, and at least one resilient foam member configured to deform with movement of the support. The side bearing further includes at least one friction damping member configured to be urged in a direction transverse to the vertical axis against the base by the support and resist movement of the support relative to the base.