Abstract: A method for extending a railway track downstream from an existing track end includes transporting a common track panel; positioning the common track panel downstream from the existing track, deploying an off-track moving mechanism and positioning an upstream end of the common panel vertically, in line with the existing track end; releasing the common track panel, removing the off-track moving mechanism; and installing the common track panel, by lowering the common track panel until the upstream end of the common track panel is aligned with the existing track end.

Abstract: A track-bound vehicle, in particular a railborne vehicle, has a plurality of rail cars and a communication network for transmitting data signals. The communication network has two lines which run through the rail cars of the vehicle. The vehicle is designed in such a way that in each case one of the lines runs in the cars in a first region, and the other of the lines runs in a second region which is spatially separate from the latter, in at least one of the cars the course of the respective one line changes from the first region into the second region, and the course of the respective other line changes from the second region into the first region. Network components for refreshing the data signals that are transmitted in the lines are provided in the first region.

Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated coupling between a first car (3) and a second car of a vehicle, especially a railway vehicle, having at least two cars, said articulated coupling including a first element (33) capable of being connected to said first car (3) and a second element (35) capable of being connected to said second car, a device for moving said second element (35) in translation relative to said first element (33) in the event of an impact, and an energy absorber capable of being arranged between said first (3) and second (19) cars. The energy absorber is arranged between said first (33) and second (35) elements, and in the first element (33) is designed to allow persons to pass between said first car (3) and said second car.

Abstract: A rail seat includes a concrete rail tie; a pair of rail clip support shoulders cast in place in said rail tie each said shoulder having a rail face between its external sides; a pair of shoulder insulators each shaped to lie against the rail face of the rail shoulder; a pair of rail clips each having a base section adapted to seat within the rail clip support shoulder and a toe section adapted to seat on the rail base.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system of energy storage and electrical motorization to be installed on a towed car of a convoy. The system includes an energy storage module having the capacity to receive energy, to accumulate the energy over time and to restore the energy upon request in electrical form; a motor/generator transforming electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa. An acceleration detector is configured to generate a first signal, the first signal indicating an acceleration undergone by the car. A controller establishes for establishing commands and provides control signals to different system components according to the first signal energy storage module accumulating or restoring the energy to the electrical converter. The controller is configured to cause the motor/generator to progressively apply a tractive force in response to the first signal, the tractive force being an increasing function of the acceleration indicated by the first signal.

Abstract: A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a cylinder having a closed end and a piston slidably mounted in the interior. A braking cable is secured to the piston and routed through an opening in the closed end of the cylinder to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include a relief valve to release compressed air from the cylinder, so that the braking force may be controlled.

Abstract: A low floor vehicle can reduce, during curved track traveling of a vehicle, the lateral pressure of the vehicle, can prevent occurrence of vibration and creaking sounds of the vehicle, can improve riding comfort for passengers, and can reduce wear of wheel flanges, is provided. The low floor vehicle includes: a journal member which couples a pair of wheels and is attached to a truck frame; and a truck frame lateral beam arranged along a vehicle width direction closer to the center of the truck frame than the journal member. The journal member can turn with respect to the truck frame. A coupling member which couples the journal member and the truck frame lateral beam is provided. The coupling member is attached to the center in the vehicle width direction of the truck frame lateral beam so as to be pivotable around an axis extending in a vehicle height direction.

Abstract: A transport installation comprising at least one carrier vehicle moving longitudinally in to-and-fro manner along a single running track being guided by two guiding elements each following one of the lateral branches of the track in a crossing area. The carrier vehicle carries two independent gripping mechanisms respectively associated with the two guiding elements and each able to temporarily secure the carrier vehicle in the lateral direction to the associated guiding elements. Such gripping mechanisms constitute on-board devices for selecting the branch associated with its direction of running on entering a crossing area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a truck lateral motion restricting device which can prevent a large impact from being applied to a stopper when the truck lateral motion restricting device is operated in the derailment. The device comprises a guard angle (52) which is provided along the inside of the rail (51) and a stopper (25) which projects downward from a more inward position than wheels (15) of the truck (11) and is in slidable contact with the inside surface (52a) of the guard angle, wherein the stopper comprises a slidable contact portion (28), which has a slidable contact surface slidable contact with the inside surface of the guard angle, and guide portions (31) which project at front and rear portions of the slidable contact portion and have a front end inclined in a direction separating from the inside surface of the guard angle and a base having a guide slope (31a) provided continuously to the slidable contact surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for mounting rail-road tracks (22) on a substructure (20; 20a, 20b), comprising two angle guide elements (30; 30a, 30b) disposed on both sides of the rail foot (22a) for each mounting point, and one support element (28) on the side facing away from the rail foot (22a) of each angle guide element (30, 30a, 30b), and a support unit (26) disposed beneath the angle guide element (30; 30a, 30b) and support elements (28) of the mounting point and comprising two threaded bolts (42) for tightening rail clamps (32), disposed such that they extend through openings in the angle guide plates (30; 30a, 30b) in the installed state.

Abstract: A railway rail fastening apparatus has a baseplate for receiving a railway rail to be fastened thereto and baseplate securing elements for securing the baseplate to a baseplate seat area of a concrete railway foundation. The baseplate securing elements carry first and second fastening assemblies configured for location on the concrete rail foundation on opposite sides of the baseplate seat area. Each of the first and second fastening assemblies including fixing member having a first part that extends from the baseplate member for retention within the concrete rail foundation. Only the fixing member of one fastening assembly includes a screw-threaded fastener.

Abstract: A railroad well car includes a spaced trucks grouped in pairs, and a railcar body supported on a pair of the trucks, the body comprising a pair of spaced end structures, each end structure supported on one truck, and a well structure extending between the end structures. The well structure comprises a pair of top chord members extending between the end structures; a pair of side sills extending between the end structures; a pair of end chords extending between the side sills; four corner container support members, each secured to one end chord and one side sill; a plurality of floor beams extending between the side sills forming at least a portion of a floor for the well structure; and a plurality of side truss members extending between one side sill and one top chord on each side forming an open truss side for the well structure.

Abstract: A device and method for suspending or holding down an overhead contact wire used for supplying power to electrical railway vehicles and trolley buses at the crest or trough of a vertical curve where the contact wire has an abrupt change in line angle. The device smoothes out the abrupt angle into a curve, parabolic in form and of a radius that is smooth for trouble-free operation of current collectors while maintaining elastic suspension. Contact wire uplift continues while passing through the device so that there is an avoidance of hard spots which cause uneven and accelerated contact wire wear. The device can further be used at the crest or trough of a vertical curve to maintain contact wire alignment where a horizontal curve with curve pull is encountered concurrently.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interface pad comprising a stiffener supporting a resilient pad to cushion the panels in a grade crossing between and around the rails from impact with the underlying ties and to prevent the panels from moving. The pad may be flat or a cupped shape and may be of varying size to accommodate varying tie widths. The invention further comprises means to securely fasten such an interface pad to a railroad tie and minimize the possibility that the interface pad will be forcibly removed from the tie during installation of the rails or panels in the grade crossing.

Abstract: A low profile discharge gate assembly having a frame defining a discharge opening and including a gate slidably mounted on the frame for controlling the discharge of commodity through the gate assembly. Structure carried by and extending inwardly from three sides of the frame is arranged beneath a lower surface on the gate and boot flanges defined by the gate assembly frame further restrict the flow of commodity from the gate assembly. Less than 7.5 vertical inches separates a lower surface on the boot flanges from an upper surface on the mounting flanges of the gate assembly frame. An operating shaft assembly selectively controls movement of the gate between open an closed positions. Support structure further enhances rigidity and support for an end frame member through which the gate slidably moves.

Abstract: A turn wheel for supporting a tensioned stationary cable through a curved path in a horizontal plane, and for allowing a load advancing along the cable to engage the turn wheel for driving the wheel in rotation relative to the cable, while at the same time the turn wheel continues to support both the cable and the load.

Abstract: A low profile discharge gate assembly including a rigid frame defining a generally rectangular discharge opening and a gate slidably mounted on the frame for controlling discharge of commodity from the gate assembly. Structure carried by and extending inwardly from the frame is arranged between a lower surface on the gate and boot flanges defined by the gate assembly frame for restricting the flow of commodity from the gate assembly. A vertical distance of less than 7.5 inches separates the boot flanges from mounting flanges on the gate assembly frame whereby permitting a conventional unloading sled to fit under the gate assembly to discharge commodity therefrom. An operating shaft assembly selectively controls movement of the gate between open and closed positions. A lock assembly is also provided for inhibiting inadvertent movement of the gate from the closed position toward the open position.

Abstract: A railroad tie hardware removing apparatus and methods are provided. The apparatus includes one or more tool mechanisms each carrying one or more tools. The tools are positionable relative to a mounting structure or tower of a concrete railroad tie to remove the tower therefrom. Once the towers are removed, the tie can be pulled from underneath rails supported by the tie.

Abstract: A take-up reel assembly includes a frame, and a spindle, having an axis, which is coupled to the frame. A spool is positioned coaxially with the spindle and is able to rotate about the axis of the spindle. A flexible elongated member having a distal portion coupled to the spool and accessible from exterior of the spool, a middle portion positioned between the spindle and an inside surface of the spool, and a proximal portion coupled to the frame, has the middle portion of the elongated member wound as a helix about the spindle. The diameter of the helix changes with rotation of the spool.

Abstract: A ballast retaining structure according to the present invention is a ballast retaining structure in which ballast laid on the roadbed is tamped to thereby retain a track bed extended in an extending direction of the roadbed from a transverse direction thereof, and includes a layered body formed by a plurality of bag-like objects, each being formed in a bag shape and containing the ballast, which are stacked from a toe of slope to a top of slope of the track bed such that each of the bag-like objects is tilted to decline from an outer end portion to an inner end portion thereof.