Abstract: A method for tamping a track in the region of a switch uses a tamping machine mobile on a track. In a first working pass a first branch is brought into desired position and tamped, thereafter the tamping machine travels backward to a point before a branching point, and in a second working pass a second branch is brought into desired position and tamped. During the backward travel, an actual position of the second branch is recorded by a sensor arrangement, particularly relative to the position of the first branch, and correction values for the position of the second branch are calculated based on the recorded actual position. Therefore, the backward travel, which is necessary anyway, is used to determine the position of the second branch, which position changes in the course of the first working pass. A tamping machine for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A locking assembly includes an elongated guide tube configured to be coupled to a first component. The guide tube is elongated in a first direction from a first end to an opposite second end. The locking assembly also includes a first pin partially disposed in the guide tube and protruding from the first end of the guide tube. The first pin can be received in a first receiver. The locking assembly also includes a second pin partially disposed in the guide tube and protruding from the second end of the guide tube. This second pin can be received in a second receiver. The locking assembly also includes a handle removably coupled with the second pin. The handle can be grasped and moved to slide the second pin relative to the guide tube and the first pin along the first direction.

Abstract: A gauge plate insulator includes an L-shaped insulating member having a base configured to be positioned between first and second gauge plate members and a leg extending from the base, a metallic backing plate having a first part configured to engage a first gauge plate member, a second part configured to engage the leg of the L-shaped insulating member, and a third part extending between the first part and the second part of the metallic backing plate, a first fastener configured to be received by a first opening and a second fastener configured to be received by a second opening defined by the second part of the metallic backing plate and an opening defined by the leg of the L-shaped insulating member, and an insulation plate configured to be positioned between a portion of the second fastener and the second part of the metallic backing plate.

Abstract: A device state recording system includes a ground system and an on-board system. The device state recording system records a state quantity of a device in the on-board system in response to an instruction from the ground system. The on-board system includes a state recording device provided in the device. A device-side parameter setter sets at least a parameter related to generation of a trigger condition for instructing start of recording of the state quantity of the device, and a parameter related to the state quantity of the device. A state record storage records therein a state quantity of a device that records the state quantity of the device based on the parameter related to generation of the trigger condition and the parameter related to the state quantity of the device.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a system for operating a marshalling yard in a more efficient and time saving way, by avoiding unnecessary procedures of preparation, usually done manually by mechanical means only, and turn it into an advanced technological facility.

Abstract: A driver's cab for an interoperable rail vehicle has a front window and a seat arrangement with two seats for operating personnel. A standard field of view is defined for each of the seats. The standard fields of view overlap at least partially in the projection thereof onto the front window. There is also described a rail vehicle.

Abstract: Running gear for a rail vehicle includes a first drive unit, a running gear frame and a wheelset, wherein the first drive unit is supported via a first spring device and a second spring device on a first wheelset bearing housing or on a first swing arm and via a third spring device and a fourth spring device on a second wheelset bearing housing or on a second swing arm, where a first damper device, arranged between the first wheelset bearing housing or the first swing arm and the drive unit, is advantageously connected in parallel with the first spring device, the second spring device, the third spring device and the fourth spring device, where the damping device has a damper and, connected in series therewith, a first stop buffer and a second stop buffer to achieve a space-saving drive bearing having effective suspension and damping.

Abstract: A suspended automation system includes a rail array secured to a ceiling. A gantry moves in an X-Y plane defined by the rail array with a drive mechanism. A controller with a human user interface allows for selective movement of the gantry to transport, and in some instances store or manipulate articles. A motorized rotating platform and one or more of a robotic arm, a camera, or a counter-balance are added to the platform to facilitate storage and manipulation, as well as actions in the area below the ceiling. A rail array in some embodiments is equipped with storage modules located above the rail array that can take a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations for storage of an article, including a stack. A related process of article movement can be accomplished by the suspended automation system. Another related process is overhead storage and selective delivery of an article.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car having a single cargo-receiving hopper extending over substantially the length of a car body having a cargo discharge portion occupying most of the available distance between the wheeled trucks supporting opposite ends of the car body. The car has no pair of slope sheets separating longitudinally-adjacent hoppers and defining unusable space beneath the slope sheets, and so the overall length of such a hopper car capable of carrying a desired volume of cargo can be less than that of one with multiple separate hoppers. Cargo discharge openings are arrayed along the length of the cargo discharge portion, and a unitary multi-gate assembly is supported within the cargo discharge portion of the car body so as to be movable longitudinally of the car body to open or close all of the cargo discharge openings simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for train suspension control by means of multiple air springs includes: receiving a vehicle load pressure; and controlling height adjustment valves according to the vehicle load pressure to adjust the pressure of a first air spring set, a second air spring set and/or a third air spring set. Three height adjustment valves are provided, and the three height adjustment valves form a triangular structure. Each of the first air spring set, the second air spring set and the third air spring set comprises a plurality of individual air springs, and all the individual air springs in each of the air spring sets are correspondingly connected to the same height adjustment valve. A system for train suspension control by means of multiple air springs and a train are further provided.

Abstract: A modular fastening for track crossings includes a lower plate, an upper plate and an outer shoulder at each end of the plates, attached by means of adhesive bonding, which include means for anchoring the fastening on a surface. The upper plate includes a smooth central segment located between two grooved areas in correspondence with the ends of the upper plate. The present invention also includes two inner shoulders with lower grooves which can engage and fit into the grooved areas of the upper plate, where said inner shoulders include means for housing and securing an elastic fastening clip for fastening a railway rail.

Abstract: A highway grade crossing gate system comprises a gate arm configured to rotate 90 degrees from a horizontal position to a vertical position and vice versa and a highway grade crossing gate mechanism coupled to the gate arm for controlling rotation of the gate arm without mechanical user adjustments but rather use user angle and time inputs/outputs. The highway grade crossing gate mechanism includes a DC motor to drive the gate arm up and down and a voltage reduction circuit to receive an input voltage from a battery and reduce the input voltage. The highway grade crossing gate mechanism further includes a human machine interface (HMI) to receive a plurality of programmable set points as operational variables for operation of the gate arm without manually adjustable cams on a main shaft that move contacts to open or close at some preset angular rotation.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media for extracting railway fasteners and adjusting railway anchors are disclosed. A tie plate manipulator may be slidably coupled with a frame assembly and may include tie plate tools in an opposing arrangement and slidably coupled with a support framework. A fastener extractor may include fastener-extracting arms and pivot joints pivotably coupling the fastener-extracting arms with a subassembly. The fastener extractor may be slidably coupled with the frame assembly so that at least part of the fastener extractor is disposed over the tie plate manipulator. The fastener extractor may be coupled with the tie plate manipulator at least in part with a cylinder system. Each fastener-extracting arm may be adjustable to selectively engage and extract a railway fastener. The tie plate manipulator may be operable to engage and adjust a tie plate on the railway tie with the pair of tie plate tools.

Abstract: A dumping system for accurate and precise dumping of ballast rock, sand, and gravel (aggregate) to all areas of a railroad track (a track), all areas of a roadway, and all regions of the roadway is described. The dumping system includes a dump box, a dump gate having at least two delivery gates, an operating system, and a control system. The at least two delivery gates of the dump gate each include a top portion and a bottom portion. The bottom portion of each of the at least two delivery gates is adjusted in real time by the operating system via the control system to accurately and precisely deliver the aggregate to all areas of the track or roadway. The dump box may further be rotated horizontally and vertically to aid with the delivery of aggregate to the track or roadway in an accurate manner.

Abstract: A catching device for a shunting coupling has a catching body with an end stop, a right-hand side lateral stop, and a left-hand side lateral stop that together form a holding body with an inner region delimited on three sides and an open side. The open side can be closed by a lock and the open side is dimensioned such that a specified shunting coupling can be moved into the inner region through the open side. The catching device has at least one elastic and/or elastically mounted stop element on one of the stops. There is also described a rail vehicle with such a catching device and also a method for locking a shunting coupling.

Abstract: A vehicle running system based on rail transport, including a track, a framework, two levitation devices and a running device. The track is provided with a slot, in which the framework is provided. The levitation devices are provided between the track and the framework, and a top surface of the levitation device is fixedly connected to a bottom surface of the framework through a suspension structure. The running device includes two conductor plates and two running structures. The conductor plates are fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the slot, and are corresponding to the running structures. The reluctance force of magnetic wheels is converted into a driving force to drive maglev vehicles, and the levitation force is converted into a guiding force to realize the self-stabilization of vehicle guidance. A vehicle running method based on this system is also provided.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a modular railcar comprises: a pair of trucks disposed near each end of the modular railcar; an underframe coupled to the pair of trucks and supported by the pair of trucks. The underframe comprises a plurality of coupling apparatus. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple a modular top container to the underframe. According to some embodiments, a modular top container comprises: a floor panel configured to transport a lading; and a plurality of coupling apparatus coupled to the floor panel. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple the modular top container to a modular railcar. The floor panel is configured to support the weight of the lading when detached from the modular railcar.

Abstract: A Rail Drone can include: a payload interface, a drivetrain, and a rail platform 515. The Rail Drone can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The Rail Drone can integrate a standardized payload interface and an autonomous electric road vehicle platform into a rolling stock architecture. The Rail Drone can be a stand-alone, payload-agnostic, motive element which can be independently or cooperatively capable of carrying heavy loads across long distances at various cruising speeds.

Abstract: A motorized container carrier can be configured to travel along a suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include at least one motorized trolley configured to move the motorized container carrier along the suspended railway. The motorized container carrier can include a plurality of end beams with container engagement devices configured to interact with containers of various lengths. In some embodiments, the container engagement devices are twist locks. The motorized container carrier can include a system of bumpers and/or guide wheels.

Abstract: An arrangement for positioning a transformer in a rail vehicle, where the rail vehicle has a transformer support which fastens the transformer at a predetermined position in the rail vehicle. The transformer support is arranged on an underframe of the rail vehicle. The transformer is connected to the transformer support via a sliding guide, wherein a positional change of the transformer relative to the underframe of the rail vehicle can be set by way of the sliding guide. The sliding guide is a hydrostatic sliding guide.