Abstract: A system for guiding rails onto a rail train having rail cars with a plurality of vertically spaced rail support shelves includes upwardly opening guide channels extending from funnel members position at the end of the rail car to each shelf in alignment with the outermost rail receiving pockets of each shelf. A guide shoe with a horizontal roller recessed therein and projecting below the bottom of the shoe is mounted on the end of a rail threaded across the shelves and guide channels of the rail support car. An alternative guide shoe further includes vertically extending rollers projecting from the sides of the guide shoe.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for supporting multiple elongate rails in a rail tie-down car utilizes spring-loaded, hydraulically actuated clamp assemblies to clamp individual rails to the tie-down car. Each clamp assembly incorporates at least two clamp members which act opposite one another to prevent the rail secured in place by the clamps from sliding in either longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A rail train for supporting multiple sticks of ribbon rail comprises a plurality of rail support cars having a single, centrally positioned rail support stand wherein adjacent rail support cars are supported on shared trucks. End cars include a tunnel for supporting the rails near their ends and one or more rail support arms pivotal at a first end about two axis and supporting a rail guide assembly at a second end for supporting a rail as it is pulled of the rail train. A rail tie-down car utilizes spring-loaded, hydraulically actuated clamp assemblies to clamp individual rails to the tie-down car. Each clamp assembly incorporates at least two clamp members which act opposite one another to prevent the rail secured in place by the clamps from sliding in either longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An anchor for securing a safety line to a container having an opening defined by an upstanding rim comprises a bar which is longer than the opening is wide. A pair of hooks are connected to the anchor bar by hook mounts. The hooks open downward toward ends of the anchor bar such that the rim of the access opening may be secured between each hook and an associated end of the anchor bar. A mounting tab is connected to an end of each hook below a hook bend. A safety line connector may be connected to either tab through a hole formed therein. The mounting tabs project outward to permit connection of a safety line thereto even when the access opening is covered. A third mounting tab, to which a safety line connector may be connected, is pivotally secured around the anchor bar.

Abstract: A rail train for supporting multiple sticks of ribbon rail comprises a plurality of rail support cars having a single, centrally positioned rail support stand wherein adjacent rail support cars are supported on shared trucks. End cars include a tunnel for supporting the rails near their ends and one or more rail support arms pivotal at a first end about two axis and supporting a rail guide assembly at a second end for supporting a rail as it is pulled of the rail train. A rail tie-down car utilizes spring-loaded, hydraulically actuated clamp assemblies to clamp individual rails to the tie-down car. Each clamp assembly incorporates at least two clamp members which act opposite one another to prevent the rail secured in place by the clamps from sliding in either longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A rail threading mechanism for a rail handling vehicle includes a thread box mounted on the outer end of a manipulating arm. The thread box includes a platform and a pair of jaws pivotally connected to the platform and moveable between open and closed positions. The platform includes a support roller for rollingly engaging the flat bottom of a rail. Each jaw include a plurality of jaw rollers positioned for rollingly engaging a rail positioned on the support roller when the respective jaw is in the closed position. The jaw rollers on each jaw preferably include a pair of base rollers positioned for engaging an edge of the base of the rail, a pair of flange top rollers positioned for engaging a top surface of the top flange of the rail, and a flange side roller positioned for engaging an edge surface of the top flange of the rail.

Abstract: A rail unloading vehicle is self-propelled and able to travel either over-the-road on conventional roadway tires or along railway tracks on railway wheels. Threading mechanisms for unloading the rails are arranged to retract so they provide a narrow profile for transport over the road. The threading mechanisms have thread boxes with jaws that open to accommodate easy reception of rails, and close to apply rollers to the rails for unloading operations. A special rail clamp has a pair of oppositely pivoting dogs to allow rail manipulation in opposite directions without slippage. A special saw allows safe on-site cutting of rails.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spreading ballast along railways makes use of an inertial measurement system to determine where to apply ballast from a hopper car. A variety of techniques can be used to determine the location and speed of the ballast spreading train, including manual or automated visual techniques, laser technology, radar technology, radio frequency transponders, magnetic sensor, thermal imaging and aerial photogrammetry. The invention also contemplates “on the fly” surveys and terrain profiling using lasers or radar.

Abstract: A method of efficiently delivering replacement railway ties for use in replacing ties that have deteriorated. GPS technology is used to obtain the GPS location of each tie that needs to be replaced. A tie train carrying replacement ties has a GPS monitor so that one or more ties can be unloaded at or near the location of each tie that requires replacement. A tie replacement crew can use a GPS monitor to locate each tie that requires replacement, and the crew can remove those ties and install a nearby replacement tie.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for unloading long ribbon rails which are carried on a transport car on bunks which hold the rails in four or five different tiers each containing eight to ten rails. A special railcar is equipped with a gantry crane which feeds the rails from the bunks into power driven thread boxes. The thread boxes grip the rails and feed them rearwardly onto the railway bed. After the first two rails have been unloaded side by side, the next pair are fed into the thread boxes. The thread boxes feed these rails out of the bunks as the train is moved forwardly at the same speed as the rails are fed rearwardly so that the rails are unloaded end to end with the first pair of rails. The railcar has retractable over the road wheels that allow it to be towed on the roadway to the site of the rail transport car.

Abstract: A logistics system and method are mounted on a vehicle and utilize vehicle position control for logistics operations, such as loading and unloading material to and from the vehicle. The position control can be GPS-based and/or based on linear movement of the vehicle, such as movement of a railcar along a rail track. A computer-based position control subsystem mounted on the vehicle is connected to and operates vehicle-mounted components for performing the logistics functions.

Abstract: A railroad car loader/unloader apparatus includes a mobile machine adapted to operate atop an open top rail car. The apparatus includes a plurality of support subassemblies with surfaces adapted to engage upper surfaces of sidewalls of the rail car when the apparatus is positioned thereon. The support subassemblies are removable. The apparatus also includes a boom structure with a bucket attached at an end thereof. The apparatus can move atop the rail car on its own power, or by coordinated use of the boom structure to push or pull the apparatus along the rail car. In an alternative embodiment, rollers are attached to the support subassemblies in a position to engage the sidewall's upper surface to reduce travel friction.

Abstract: A GPS controlled multiple source material application or ballast spreading system includes tracking the position of a plurality of ballast hopper cars using GPS derived coordinates and controlling the opening of multiple ballast doors to spread ballast on desired sections of track for railroad maintenance. The process involves tracking the current hopper loads, the opened or closed state of the ballast doors, and the concurrent amount of ballast which has been spread on the desired track sections.

Abstract: A multiple railroad tie handling method includes simultaneously clamping a layer of closed packed, parallel concrete railroad ties, lifting and moving the clamped group toward a track bed, spreading the clamped ties to the required tie interval spacing, laterally aligning the clamped group with previously laid ties and spacing the group to continue the existing tie spacing, lowering the clamped group to the track bed, and simultaneously releasing the ties on the track bed.

Abstract: A gantry adapted for operation along rails attached to the top of a railroad car includes two pairs of wheels, each pair operating on a respective rail. A base support member is positioned above the rail and between the wheels on each side of the gantry. Should one end of the gantry be inadvertently driven off of the rails, the base support members engage the rails to prevent the gantry from toppling off of the railroad car. In addition, a safety rail is positioned inside of and above each rail and a plurality of J-hooks are attached to the inside of each base support member to engage the safety rails and prevent the gantry from tipping from side-to-side. All four wheels are independently driven and the gantry is adapted to support a commercially available crane, the position of which can be vertically adjusted via spacers. A number of other safety features are included.

Abstract: An improved railway deck drainage system includes an electrically non-conducting material formed into a plurality of hemiarcuate drain sections, each having a conduit and a coupling flange. The coupling flange of each section is matingly engaged with the conduit of the adjacent section, and the conduit is integrally coupled with a planar base to form a drain of overall hemicylindrical shape. The base of the drain extends transversely to form a pair of flanges suitable for weighting with ballast. A mounting strap couples the drain to the railway deck. Preferably, the conduit includes apertures to permit passage of water into the drain.