Abstract: A plurality of trains traveling along a route in the same direction are coupled virtually and then form, for the device for safeguarding the travel operations, vehicle trains, the front of which is formed by the leading vehicle of the first train and the rear of which is formed by the last vehicle of the last train. The trains are guided spaced apart by devices provided for that purpose. The devices along the route now communicate with only one vehicle of the virtually coupled trains. This provides a considerable reduction in data in comparison with data traffic with a plurality of individual trains. The virtual coupling of trains can be canceled again at any time; the devices along the route then communicate again with the individual trains.

Abstract: An actuating system for operating transverse doors of a railroad hopper car. The mechanism includes an operating member which is coupled to a door or doors of the car by a shaft and a linkage which couples a power source to the operating member, where the operating member rotates to move the door away from the hopper. The mechanism can operate doors which open in opposed direction with a single power source. The mechanism can be used in new car construction, and can be retrofitted onto existing hopper cars.

Abstract: A photo album insert for holding at least one photograph and at least one compact disc. The insert includes at least two sheets of generally planar material, where at least one of the sheets is substantially transparent. Both of the sheets have a top edge, a bottom edge and first and second opposing side edges. The sheets are generally fixed relative to each other. The insert also includes at least a first photograph stop disposed between the transparent sheet top edge and the transparent sheet bottom edge to define at least a first photograph receiving area, and at least a first compact disc stop disposed between the first photograph stop and the transparent sheet bottom edge to define at least a first compact disc receiving area. The first compact disc receiving area overlaps with and at least partially extends below the first photograph receiving area, and the first compact disc receiving area and the first photograph receiving area cooperate to define a first photograph/compact disc pocket.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively operating hopper doors of a railroad car. A fulcrum coupled to the operating cylinder includes channels within which levers can be selectively activated to open specific doors of the car, thus allowing the contents of the railcar to be sequentially emptied. The mechanism can be installed on railcars having either transverse hopper doors or longitudinal hopper doors.

Abstract: A method and a device for attaching an elevator guide rail to a substrate via a floating mount. The floating mount includes at least one of a base support, a side support, and a backside support. Each of the supports has a moveable part, a stop and a flexible element floatingly supporting the moveable part. Deforming forces cause the guide rail and the moveable part to move in a deforming direction deforming the flexible element until the deforming force exceeds a predetermined limit whereupon the stop limits further movement of the guide rail.

Abstract: A track tamping machine has a machine frame extending in a longitudinal direction and tamping units mounted to the machine frame. A first or upper transverse guide extends in a transverse direction perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. Two sliding blocks are mounted for displacement in the transverse direction independently of one another on the upper transverse guide. A second or lower transverse guide is positioned vertically below the upper transverse guide and parallel thereto. The lower transverse guide is mounted in the sliding blocks for displacement relative thereto in the transverse direction. Two inner unit frames are connected to a respective one of the sliding blocks and support a tamping unit in each case. Two outer unit frames are positioned in each case farther from a vertical machine center line—with regard to the transverse direction—than an adjacent one of the inner unit frames and support a respective tamping unit.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for opening and securing a railroad frog. The system is provided with a body member and a plurality of attachment members, which are selectively securable with the body member. The attachment members are structurally configured to secure to different structural features along spring wing rails and fixed structures positioned opposite the spring wing rail. Manual actuation of a tensioning mechanism that is coupled with the body member advances opposing first and second attachment members toward one another, moving the spring wing rail into an open position. Wedge members, coated in a non-slip material are provided as an additional means for securing the spring wing rail in an open position.

Abstract: A switch machine for a model railroad layout includes a unidirectional motor, a switch actuator coupled to the motor and movable between two switch positions by rotation of the motor, a sensor coupled to the switch actuator for sensing the position of the switch actuator, and a controller connected to the motor and the sensor and having a power input and at least a single wire control input, the controller responsive to a first control signal to activate the motor to move the switch actuator from a first position to a second position at a slow speed simulating an actual railroad switch, and responsive to a second control signal to move the switch actuator from a first position to a second position at a fast speed to avoid a derailment.

Abstract: A method of transporting rails to, and leaving the rails at, a target location. The method includes using a train having multiple rail wagons. The steps include supporting the rails on at least two successive wagons with the rail being movable relative to at least one wagon in the direction of elongate extent of the rail, and using winches on the wagons to unload the rails at the target location.

Abstract: A data gathering apparatus comprises a power generation device configured to generate power via movement of the rail. The data gathering apparatus further comprises a sensing device configured to receive power from the power generation device and to sense at least one property of the rail, wherein the property of the rail is at least partially defined by a vehicle traveling on the rail.

Abstract: The invention provides an overload detector with a simplified system configuration to be applied to a railway car having a connecting bogie. A connecting bogie 52 (two axle bogie) having front and rear wheels 52C and 52D are disposed to extend between a first car C1 and a second car C2. The front and rear cars C1 and C2 are supported via air springs 52A and 52B on the connecting bogie 52. The other end of the car C1 is supported via air springs 51A and 51B on a bogie 51 (two axle bogie) having front and rear wheels 51C and 51D. The other end of the car C2 is supported via air springs 53A and 53B on a bogie 53 (two axle bogie) having front and rear wheels 53C and 53D. Pneumoelectric converters 41 and 42 are disposed along paths of pneumatic pipings 21 and 22, and the inner pressure of air springs 51A and 51B is converted into an inner pressure signal AS1, and the inner pressure PAS2 of the air springs 52A and 52B is converted into an inner pressure signal AS2.

Abstract: An electronic code following relay for use in a railroad signaling system includes a timing circuit for receiving an input square wave signal coded at a pre-determined code rate, and regenerating the input square wave signal at the pre-determined code rate after a predetermined time delay; and a driving circuit coupled to the timing circuit for receiving the delayed square wave signal therefrom and conducting, at the predetermined code rate, at least a power source to at least one of various components in the railroad signaling system including a rail of a track. The electronic code following relay is preferably microprocessor-based and uses an opto-coupler and various solid-state relays for conducting various DC and AC power sources to the components of the railroad signaling system.

Abstract: A display system is used to securely and tautly mount a readily changeable advertising display face. The display system comprises a frame that defines a support structure, and a display face removably attached to the support structure. The support structure is adapted to be fixedly mounted to a wall of a building, or a sidewalk, or the like. The support structure and display face have a plurality of interengageable fasteners, e.g., snap members. The display face can thereby be easily attached to and detached from the support structure while hiding the body of the support structure from sight.

Abstract: A box car includes end walls joined to opposing side walls that define the interior cargo area. Each end wall includes a corrugated side that faces the cargo area. The adjustable spacer is arranged within a cavity in the corrugated side in a stowed position so that it does not protrude into the cargo area. The side walls include tracks in which opposing guides that support the lateral beam are slideably received. The tracks do not protrude into the cargo area. The guides include multiple holes providing keyways that receive removable locks. Vertical side posts are arranged along the exterior of the side walls. Holes are arranged in the side walls in the area of the side posts. The locks are received in one of the holes in the guides and a hole in the side wall to lock the adjustable spacer in the desired position relative to the box car.

Abstract: A lost motion apparatus for adapting a typical in-tie switch machine, designed for use with interconnected switch points, to be used as an in-tie machine for moving the movable V-point of a movable point frog assembly.

Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, a laterally extending top truss structure, and a central vertically oriented web work structure for carrying vertical shear loads between the top truss and the center sill and decking. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon in which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a deep upper beam structure that has downwardly extending skirts. The skirts provide an extended bearing area upon against which bundled loads can be secured. The skirts are inwardly reinforced to discourage deflection between adjacent upright members of the deep upper beam structure.

Abstract: An offshore wind farm comprises a plurality of wind turbines. In order to provide such a wind farm with transport between separate wind turbines that can be effected more safely and with less dependence on weather, cable connection is provided between the wind turbines of the wind farm, and a gondola is disposed on the cable connection to carry cargo or personnel from one wind turbine to another.

Abstract: A well car for carrying shipping containers has a pair of end structures supported by rail car trucks, a pair of first and second spaced apart side beams extending between the end structures and a well defined therebetween. A container support cross member is mounted between the side sills in a position to support an end of a shipping container load carried within the well. The container support cross member may be a monolithic beam member with a attachment fitting formed at an end thereof. The attachment fitting is connectable to a side sill at a moment connection. The remaining end of the cross member is similarly configured and connected to the second side sill. Each end of the cross member has load bearing surface portions which may be used for supporting a corner of a shipping container. The moment connections permit a bending moment to be carried by the cross member between the first and second side sills.

Abstract: A trolley for a conveying system includes a first trolley arm with a trolley wheel rotatably mounted thereon, a second trolley arm with a trolley wheel rotatably mounted thereon, and a load bar. The trolley wheels roll along a track of the conveying system to move the trolleys along the conveyor track. The first trolley arm connects to a first attachment element, which includes a base portion and an attaching member that are integrally formed together. The load bar connects to the second trolley arm and to the attaching member of the first attachment element. The load bar has a slot proximate to one or both ends for receiving the attaching member. The attaching member is retainable in the slot, such as via a retaining pin. The first and second trolley arms are connected together via the load bar.

Abstract: A rail system for transporting dual use vehicles includes a network of multiple non-interconnected rails where each rail comprises an extruded triangular shell and a support material. The rails are supported by a system of support structures where each support structure includes a base with a rail adjustment actuator for selectively adjusting the position of the supported rail. Each rail is sized to support a standardized dual use passenger vehicle adapted for roadway and rail travel.