Abstract: A wireless charging system for charging a battery of a railway vehicle and a corresponding method of use are disclosed herein. The wireless charging system may comprise a fixed coil assembly installed between a set of tracks of a railway and a mobile coil assembly affixed to a bottom side of a railway vehicle (such as a locomotive or railcar mover). The fixed coil assembly may comprise at least one primary coil, and the mobile coil assembly may comprise at least one secondary coil. When the railway vehicle is positioned over the fixed coil assembly, electrical power may be transferred between the fixed coil assembly and the mobile coil assembly via the primary coil and the secondary coil to charge the railway vehicle. In various embodiments, electrical power may be transferred via the primary coil and the secondary coil without the primary coil physically contacting the secondary coil.

Abstract: A magnetic traction assembly is disclosed for a railcar mover that provides additional downforce to improve traction for a railcar mover when required. The magnetic traction assembly may comprise a frame, an actuator, and a magnetic element positioned underneath a railcar mover. The magnetic element may be lowered to a deployed position, where the magnetic element is positioned near the railroad rails such that the magnetic field from the magnetic element interacts with the railroad rail creating an attraction force that provides additional downforce to the railcar mover.

Abstract: A magnetic traction assembly is disclosed for a railcar mover that provides additional downforce to improve traction for a railcar mover when required. The magnetic traction assembly may comprise a frame, an actuator, and a magnetic element positioned underneath a railcar mover. The magnetic element may be lowered to a deployed position, where the magnetic element is positioned near the railroad rails such that the magnetic field from the magnetic element interacts with the railroad rail creating an attraction force that provides additional downforce to the railcar mover.

Abstract: A gladhand device for automatically coupling the air brake hose of a railcar to a railcar mover is disclosed herein. The automated gladhand device may comprise a gladhand body that is attached to the end of a railcar mover and configured to receive the gladhand attached to an air brake hose of a railcar. In various embodiments, the gladhand device may comprise a piston housed within a lower portion of the gladhand body that is configured to extend vertically above a top edge of the lower portion of the gladhand body. When air pressure is allowed to enter the gladhand body via an electrically controlled solenoid, the piston presses against the gladhand of the air brake hose and pneumatically seals a coupling between the air brake hose of the railcar and the railcar mover.

Abstract: A claw system for mechanical coupling a railcar mover to a railcar is disclosed herein. The claw assembly may comprise a set of arms and a set of claws each mounted on the interior side of one of the set of arms. When a railcar adjacent to a railcar mover on a set of tracks is positioned within a proximity of the railcar mover, the claw assembly may be utilized to grasp the air hose of the adjacent railcar. For example, the set of arms may be attached to the railcar mover via a motorized rail upon which the set of arms may be configured to move axially toward each other in a direction perpendicular to the tracks, thereby causing the claws to move toward each other and close around the air hose of the adjacent railcar. The claws may include openings configured to grasp the air hose.

Abstract: A modular drive train assembly is disclosed for the rail wheels of a railcar mover that provides a plurality of electric drive motors. Each electric drive motor may be connected to a gearbox and subsequently connected to a rail wheel. An automated control system may further control the power supplied to each of the electric drive motors such that the power supplied to each electric drive motor may be individually controlled to enhance the traction of each rail wheel. In addition, a plurality of sensors may monitor and communicate information from the electric drive motors to allow the control system to automatically control the power to each of the electric drive motors to enhance traction of the railcar mover.

Abstract: A system for visually assisting an operator of a railcar mover that provides a visual display and a pair of alignment lines superimposed on the image of the display to assist the operator to properly align a railcar mover to the railroad rails when transitioning from driving on the road to driving on the railroad rails. The system further includes a set of cameras positioned around the railcar mover and a processor, which can create a composite image of a top view of the railcar mover to further assist the operator position the railcar mover properly.

Abstract: A speed control system for a railcar mover where the speed control system prevents the railcar mover from exceeding a predetermined maximum vehicle speed. The speed control system determines a target engine speed that overrides a user's throttle control input to keep the railcar mover from exceeding the predetermined maximum vehicle speed. The speed control system also determines a target throttle control position and disables the throttle control from the user until the user moves the throttle control to a position at or less than the target throttle control position.

Abstract: A system for visually assisting an operator of a railcar mover that provides a visual display and a pair of alignment lines superimposed on the image of the display to assist the operator to properly align a railcar mover to the railroad rails when transitioning from driving on the road to driving on the railroad rails. The system further includes a set of cameras positioned around the railcar mover and a processor, which can create a composite image of a top view of the railcar mover to further assist the operator position the railcar mover properly.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive axle assembly is disclosed for a railcar mover that provides traction for a railcar mover when required. The auxiliary drive axle assembly comprises a frame, a plurality of hydraulic motors, and a plurality of wheel assemblies positioned underneath a railcar mover. The auxiliary drive axle assembly may be lowered to a use position where the wheels engage the rails either upon demand by the railcar mover operator or automatically by a control system based upon a set of monitored parameters. When in a use position, the control system directs the power to the hydraulic motors such that the wheel assemblies can have optimal traction to assist the railcar mover.

Abstract: A ballast load device for increasing a tractive effort of a railcar mover having a coupler includes a side member and a bottom attached to the side member. The bottom is adapted to support a weight. A primary coupler is attached to the side member and is adapted to removably connect to the coupler of the railcar mover such that the railcar coupler may lift the ballast load device.