Abstract: A turntable assembled from a plurality of flat sheet metal parts where the sheet metal parts include a series of voids and/or protrusions. The protrusions insert into the voids so that some flat sheet parts are disposed in a vertical orientation and some in a horizontal orientation, the vertical parts substantially perpendicular to the horizontal parts. The flat sheet parts are welded together to create a support structure with the voids and protrusions interacting to align the flat sheet parts within required manufacturing tolerances. One of the horizontally disposed parts has holes therein for attaching the support structure to a hub to create a rotating turntable.

Abstract: An adapter coupler for adapting couplings of different design has a first connecting mechanism for the releasable connecting of the adapter coupler to a first coupling, a second connecting mechanism for the releasable connecting of the adapter coupler to a second coupling, and a coupler housing to connect the first connecting mechanism to the second connecting mechanism. With the objective of simplifying the manual manipulation of the adapter coupler, it is configured to be of lightweight construction, wherein the coupler housing is formed from fiber composite material, in particular carbon file composite material, and exhibits a shape adapted to an adapter coupler constructed from metal, and wherein the coupler housing exhibits a sturdy fiber architecture relative to the stress loads it experiences.

Abstract: An intelligent block controller for a model train is connected to receive detect signals from adjacent blocks of model railway track assemblies indicating that a model train is present on a respective block track assemblies. The controller provides one or more control outputs to automatically and independently control power to selected blocks of track, to operate one or more switches, or to operate other accessories. The detect signal may be provided by grounding an isolated portion of a rail to a ground rail or other voltage reference. The controller may also be configured to accept user input to select a preferred operating mode, or to deactivate automatic control.

Abstract: An integrated controller system for use with existing railroad model accessories and operating cars comprises a miniaturized receiving device having a pulse recovery circuit, a micro-controller decoder circuit, an output driver circuit, and a specialized power distribution circuit. The integrated controller system is adapted for remote programming and control by an existing remote control. Features include remote assignment of programmable voltage and pulse duration, specialized power distribution to sustain brief power interruptions, an integrated antenna for ease of installation, remote programmability for ID and class assignment, Soft Set Technology™, field upgradeable firmware, and very small size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a model vehicle layout by moving a vehicle around the track and noting when the vehicle passes track position detection elements. The vehicle can either detect the position detection elements, or the position detection elements can be sensors which detect the vehicle. By noting the order of the position detection elements as detected, and the direction of the vehicle, the layout of the track can be determined. In one embodiment, the position detection elements are sensors along the track which detect an emitted ID from the vehicle, and also detect the speed and direction of the vehicle. This information is then relayed to a control system. In another embodiment, the vehicle detects the position detection element, and relays this information, along with the train ID, speed and direction, to the control system.

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 lift for inclined or vertical operation has a pair of guide rails that run parallel to one other, on which guide rollers run that are mounted on swivel plates so that they can swivel and contact the rails from opposite sides. At least one guide roller on each swivel plate is designed as a drive roller. The periphery of the drive roller is pressed against a respective engagement area of the rail by a spring force in such a way that the drive force of the drive roller is primarily transferred to the rail by friction.

Abstract: A railway Type H tightlock coupler locklift assembly for coupling railway cars comprises a Type H rotary locklift toggle, a Type H rotary locklift lever, and a rivet connecting the rotary locklift toggle to the rotary locklift lever. The Type H rotary locklift lever further comprises a standard flange or finger for operatively engaging a coupler operating rod and a second opposing flange or finger that abuts the coupler operating rod. The second opposing flange or finger prevents unintentional rotary motion of the rotary locklift lever by acting on or abutting against the locked operating rod, thereby preventing unintentional uncoupling of the railway cars when coupler components of such cars are struck by flying debris.

Abstract: A crane carrying vehicle for transporting track ties comprises an elongated machine frame supported on undercarriages for movement on rails in an operating direction, the machine frame comprising a storage section for temporarily storing track ties and having two side walls extending in this direction, the side walls being spaced from each other in a transverse direction extending perpendicularly to the operating direction by a distance corresponding at least to the length of the track ties. A track tie supporting platform in the storage section may be tilted between a horizontally extending loading position and an unloading position extending at an angle to the loading position, and the vehicle carries a power-adjustable pivotal crane outrigger with a gripping device for gripping track ties.

Abstract: A feeder is disposed along a guide rail that guides an electrically powered vehicle. The electrically powered vehicle has an electric power receiving unit that surrounds the feeder on a non-contact basis. Electric power is supplied from the feeder to the electrically powered vehicle through electric power receiving units. The number of electric power receiving units is two. Each of the electric power receiving units has a mechanism that causes the electric power receiving unit to be inclined in the tangent direction of the feeder at a curved portion of the guide rail in such a manner that the distance between the feeder and the electric power receiving unit is kept so that optimum power can be obtained.

Abstract: Persons and/or goods are transported in vehicles which are each equipped with running wheels. The vehicles are connectable to a continuously driven traction cable by which they are driven along a track, such as on rails. A plurality of deceleration wheels and a plurality of acceleration wheels disposed in stations of the system where the vehicles may be loaded and unloaded. In the stations, the vehicles are disconnectable from the traction cable. The vehicles are slowed down by bringing the deceleration wheels into contact therewith and they are accelerated by bringing the acceleration wheels into contact therewith. The deceleration wheels are divided into a plurality of groups and the wheels within each group are driven at the same peripheral speed. Upon transfer of the vehicle from one group of wheels to an adjacent group, the wheels of the two groups are driven at the same speed as well.

Abstract: To provide inexpensively a connector constructed of a steel pipe and bearing a tie function of a ladder-type sleeper for railway tracks, in a connector constructed of a steel pipe 1 used in the ladder-type sleeper for railway tracks integrated with longitudinal beams made of concrete and the connectors constructed of steel pipes 1 by feeding concrete, both end portions of the connector constructed of the steel pipe 1 are flattened in the horizontal direction and a corrosion resistant coating 4 is coated at portions of the connector constructed of the steel pipe 1 exposed to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A running mechanism which travels on a running rail comprising a web and a flange. Running wheels are supported by the flange on opposite sides of the web and are rotatably mounted in frame parts which are connected by an articulation arranged below the running rail such that the frame parts swivel open or closed laterally about a swivel pin. A load acts on at least one of the frame parts at the height of or below the swivel pin and holds the frame parts swiveled closed towards the web on both sides by means of a closing moment generated by the load. Guide rollers, one of which is rotatably supported in the frame part, are supported on opposite sides of the web.

Abstract: A children's play apparatus which includes a specially designed play table that can be used with commercially available toys including toy trains and train tracks, and one that can also be used with specifically designed modules for supporting sections of wooden train track in the unique configurations. More particularly, in using the play apparatus, the specially designed modules of the invention can be used to extend the track beyond the boundaries of the play table and which, due to the stackability of the modules can also be used to attain virtually unlimited track heights above the surface of the table and outwardly from the surface of the table top.

Abstract: A loading station of a detachable chair-lift comprises two spots 22, 29 for alternate pickup of skiers 21. To give the skiers easy access to the pickup spots, the distance between the chairs is increased by grouping them in pairs in the access zones. The station may comprise two tracks 16, 17, each having a pickup spot, onto which the chairs 11, uncoupled from the rope, are directed alternately. The two pickup spots can be on the same track, one after the other, the grouping of the chairs in pairs then being modified when running between the two pickup spots so that the rear chair of the pair at the first is pickup spot comes in front at the second pickup spot.

Abstract: An improved track and vehicle system are provided for model electric vehicles. The track system includes a number of interconnectable panels having alternate portions of negative and positive polarity conductor strips defined on a top surface thereof. The conductive strips are separated by non-conductive portions. Each of the panels includes electrical and mechanical interlocking devices carried on each side thereof so that any one panel can have additional panels connected on each of its sides. The vehicles include a unique arrangement of contacts carried on a linkage underneath of the vehicle to ensure that the vehicle remains at all times in contact with the conductors, regardless of the direction of movement of the vehicle from the surface of the panels.

Abstract: A road and rail vehicle has a truck tractor vehicle frame such that it is street legal, but also provides sufficient power to move freight cars on low density rail lines or at other desired locations. The vehicle has a transfer case to provide front wheel drive by road wheels when the vehicle is in a road or highway mode and to provide rear wheel drive by rail wheels when in a rail mode. The vehicle has a front guide rail wheel unit which moves front rail wheels between an upper road position and a lower rail position. A rear or back axle has right and left back road wheels thereon and is movable between an upper rail position and a lower road position.

Abstract: In a system comprising at least two conductor rails, in particular composite sections each featuring a rail-shaped load-bearing section and at least one strip-shaped section of another metal of greater wear resistance joined to the matrix of the load-bearing section, the ends of pairs of neighbouring rails are connected electrically by at least one conductor of variable length. The ends of the conductor rails are bent out of the central axis (M) of the conductor rail and led parallel to and a distance (n) displaced from that axis, such that the strip-shaped section of one conductor rail end is approximately aligned with the strip-shaped section of the other conductor rail away from the rail end; the conductor rail ends are joined in such a manner that they can move with respect to each other along the axial direction.

Abstract: A rail fastening system for fastening a rail to a rail support includes a frame member supported by the rail support and including an upper bracing portion positioned above the rail support to define therebetween a space. A stationary insulator member is positioned at a fixed location on the rail support. A plate-shaped spring blade has a first end resting on the stationary insulator member and an opposite second end supported by a movable insulator member. A wedge member is connected to the spring blade and is operable to be inserted into the space, thereby inserting the spring blade into the space with the first end of the spring blade being supported and sliding on the stationary insulator member and with the second end of the spring blade being supported on and moving the movable insulator member in the insertion direction.

Abstract: The electromagnetic induction suspension and horizontal switching system for a vehicle on a substantially planar guideway provides vertical lift and stability and lateral stability for a vehicle. The system provides inherent vertical lift, as well as vertical and lateral stability, including pitch, yaw and roll stability. Moreover, the suspension and stabilization system of the present invention allows electronic, horizontal switching between multiple substantially planar guideways such as a mainline guideway and a secondary guideway, which may be accomplished at speeds over 300 m.p.h. Proximal to and within a switching area at the intersection of the mainline guideway and the secondary guideway, the respective lift and stability systems for each guideway coexist and may be switched on or off, depending on the path chosen for the vehicle.