Abstract: A system for controlling one or more vital wayside devices of a railway network, comprising one or more vital switches, each vital switch being comprised in or operatively connected to an associated device of the one or more vital wayside devices, and a controller which is configured to control the one or more vital wayside devices. The controller is connected to each of the one or more vital switches by means of at least one optical fiber cable and is configured to output one or more light command signals over the at least one optical fiber cable, and each vital switch is configured to switch from an open status to a closed status to provide power and ground to the associated vital wayside device upon receiving at least one corresponding light command signal outputted by the controller for commanding an action of the associated vital wayside device.

Abstract: A transport system including at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member is presented. The at least one guideway, at least one levitation generator, at least one lifting member, at least one drive generator, and at least one drive member can each be implemented with other systems. The at least one drive generator is configured to: generate a driving magnetic flux; move with a corresponding at least one drive member; and be driven relative to the at least one drive member by the driving magnetic flux. The at least one levitation generator can be configured to: generate a levitating magnetic flux; move within a corresponding at least one lifting member; and elevate above a rest position relative to the at least one lifting member in response to the levitating magnetic flux.

Abstract: A railroad crossing control system (100) includes a constant warning time device (40) with a control unit (50) configured to produce multiple signals, and a wheel sensing system (120) comprising at least one sensor (122) connected to a rail (20a, 20b) of a railroad track (20) at a predetermined position (P), wherein the wheel sensing system (120) detects a presence of railroad vehicle travelling on the railroad track (20) such that the at least one sensor (122) detects wheels of the railroad vehicle using electromagnetic fields, wherein the wheel sensing system (120) provides speed values of the railroad vehicle to the constant warning time device (40), and wherein the constant warning time device (40) produces a constant warning time signal for controlling a railroad crossing warning device in response to receiving the speed values of the wheel sensing system (120).

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 railway car is disclosed. The railway car comprises an underframe and at least one compartment for transporting lading. The railway car comprises at least one discharge opening and a door assembly adjacent to the at least one discharge opening. The railway car comprises a discharge control system comprising at least a common linkage mounted away from a longitudinal centerline of the railway car and a secondary linkage, wherein the discharge control system is operable to move the door assembly between a first position and a second position. The railway car comprises an actuator operable to drive movement of the common linkage in connection with movement of the door assembly between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car has a hopper carried between two trucks, and has convergent end and side slope sheets that feed a bottom discharge. The bottom discharge has a rectangular frame. The bottom discharge is lower than the center sill. The car has a flat bottom discharge having multiple arrays of louvers. All of the lading discharges through the flat bottom. The side sheets extend downwardly beyond the side sills, so that the side slope sheets terminate below the side sills. The car has laterally extending shear force transfer members that provide a shear connection between the side walls of the car. The shear force transfer members have openings to permit lading from the main containment volume of the car to pass therethough to the lading discharges. The louvers are joined to move together. Alternatively, the gate may include two opposed sliding doors separated by a beam that runs under the center sill.

Abstract: A unit for transporting at least one passenger has at least one first rail line with at least one vehicle that is travelable and guided on the at least one rail line, and located on the at least one rail line. The vehicle and the at least one first rail line are actively connected by a drive device, with the drive device being configured as an electric linear motor. The at least one vehicle has a control for influencing the speed of the at least one vehicle on the at least one first rail line. The first control a manually operable as a passenger control by at least one passenger in the vehicle.

Abstract: A fastening system for track rail includes a molded support block, and a direct fixation fastener positioned upon an upper side of the molded support block. The direct fixation fastener includes a metallic frame and a non-metallic overmolded jacket. Clamping fasteners of the fastening system are structured to engage with retention elements integrally molded in a concrete matrix material of the molded support block to clamp the direct fixation fastener to the upper side within a range of lateral positions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for retrofitting, or producing, a truck assembly with a traction motor to propel a rail car or other vehicle. A traction drive frame assembly is an integrated unit combining the traction motor with its transmission means, an arrangement that prevents the traction drive frame from rotating when the traction motor is powered. The traction motor can be positioned in a space between a bolster and an axle of the truck assembly, and a jackshaft assembly can be positioned outside of the space. Then, one or more gears, pulleys, chains, etc. between the traction motor and the jackshaft assembly provide mechanical advantage and amplify torque transmitted from the traction motor to the jackshaft assembly. A second operable connection between the jackshaft assembly and the axle amplifies the torque a second time such that a relatively small traction motor propels a rail car or other vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bogie (10) for a high-speed railway vehicle, comprising: a bogie chassis, at least one wheel (20) mounted rotating on the chassis by means of an axle (18) and a primary suspension system (22), at least one motor (24), for each motor (24), at least one gearbox (26) able to mechanically link the motor (24) and the axle (18). Each motor (24) is rigidly fastened to the chassis (12).

Abstract: A railroad tie plate placement system facilitates or enables a railroad crew to minimize interaction with railroad tie plates while placing railroad tie plates in a proper orientation on a railroad or railway track in preparation for insertion under a rail. Thus, the described railroad tie plate placement system reduces labor costs and decreases risk of injury while providing for consistent placement of tie plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributing tie plates alongside rails of a railroad track including a singulating system for separating and singulating tie plates to be distributed along the rails of a railroad track, an orientation system positioned beneath the singulating system for orienting the tie plates with the correct side up, and a distribution system for distributing tie plates along the rails of a railroad track.

Abstract: A virtual co-phase power supply system topology suitable for an electrical sectioning device at a sectioning and paralleling post (SP) includes a step-down transformer TR1. A primary winding of the step-down transformer TR1 is electrically connected to a traction feeding section ?2 in a train from a traction feeding section ?1 to the traction feeding section ?2. Each secondary winding is electrically connected to one rectifier separately. DC buses output from the rectifiers are connected in parallel. The other end of the DC bus is electrically connected to a plurality of parallel inverter units. An LC filter is provided on a DC bus between a rectifier unit and the inverter unit, and the LC filter is connected in parallel to an energy storage unit. After filtering through the LC filter, an output end of the inverter unit is electrically connected to a primary winding of a step-up transformer TR2.

Abstract: An adjustable device for railway to cross active faults is provided to fix a rail and a sleeper, including: a fastener mounting base, disposed between the rail and sleeper; clamping pipes, disposed between the fastener mounting base and the sleeper, the sleeper is provided with a through groove, and the clamping pipes are detachably fixed inside the through groove; control parts, disposed on an inner wall of the clamping pipes, each of the control parts is configured to detect lateral pressures between the fastener mounting base and corresponding one of the clamping pipes, thereby to separate the corresponding one of the clamping pipes from the through groove, the device ensures that the rail will not produce bending deformations after the lateral dislocation of the bottom layer during earthquake events, and ensure that a train or rail repair vehicle can pass at a low speed after earthquake.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus comprises an air pump configured to couple to a capstan, and a pneumatic cylinder coupled to the air pump at a first end of the pneumatic cylinder. The pneumatic cylinder comprises a piston. Rotation of the capstan in a first rotational direction causes the air pump to provide air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder. In response to the air pump providing air pressure to the first end of the pneumatic cylinder, the piston of the pneumatic cylinder moves in a first linear direction. The piston is coupled to a longitudinal beam of a longitudinal door system of a railcar. In response to the piston moving in the first linear direction, the longitudinal beam moves in the first linear direction, opening a door of the longitudinal door system.

Abstract: An end post (30) for a rail joint assembly comprising: a top portion (12) consisting essentially of a first electrically insulating material comprising a fiber reinforced polymer material and having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail head sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; a base (16) having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail base sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; and a stem (14) disposed between the top portion (12) and the base (16); wherein the stem (14) and the base (16) consist essentially of a second electrically insulating material comprising a polymer material.

Abstract: A locomotive consist including a pair of fuel-electric locomotives, each having a prime mover engine and a power transmission system including a main generator and traction motors coupled to driving wheels, a high voltage electrical connection operable in an on state or an off state, and a computer controller. The pair of fuel-electric locomotives is configured to selectively cooperate to operate in three different operating modes as controlled by the computer controller: (1) a prime mover mode, (2) a mother/slug mode, and a mother/inoperative mode.

Abstract: A vehicle truck includes a first side frame, a second side frame, a bolster, a first yaw separator connected to the first side frame, and a second yaw separator connected to the second side frame. Each yaw separator includes two steering arms and an arm connector assembly. The yaw separators are configured to alter yaw movement of the truck that leads to truck hunting.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable, lightweight, non-conductive, and non-flammable hard lightweight cover that is placed over a third rail and used to protect workers from being electrocuted while working near live powered third rail system. Further, the third rail railway cover board may be highly visible and made to work in all weather conditions. Because of the simplicity of installation, no special power expert is needed to install the third rail railway cover board which will save a great deal of time and safety. The third rail railway cover board may include one or more of the following features: lightweight, non-conductive, and flame retardant; placed over high voltage third rail; weather and rain resistant; high-visibility; stackable; locking mechanism from one cover to an adjacent cover; LED light holder; contoured shape to fit all US third rail systems; and water shed design.

Abstract: Proposed are renewable power generating systems driven by wind or wheel power such as train vehicle power generating systems, which are easily installed on train vehicles of trains, and which generate power without additional carbon emissions to avoid environmental pollution. One or more generator holders to hold one or more generators are installable on a train vehicle chassis. A generator wheel may be configured to touch a rail and may rotate in any direction along the rail. A generator axle may couple one or more generators to the generator wheel. The one or more generators may generate electrical power and produce zero carbon emissions while the generator wheel rotate on the rail. One or more wind turbines may also be coupled to the generator axle to supply power to the one or more generators so that the one or more generators produce zero carbon emissions while the train vehicle is moving.