Abstract: A rail gear assembly includes a base, a first wheel arm, and a second wheel arm. The first wheel arm may have a first end pivotally coupled to the base at a first arm connection and may have a second end rotatably connected to a first wheel by a first axle. The second wheel arm may have a first end pivotally coupled to the base at a second arm connection and a second end rotatably connected to a second wheel by a second axle. The second axle may be independent of the first axle. The rail gear assembly may include actuators that move the first wheel arm and second wheel arm between retracted positions and extended positions. The actuators may permit adjustment of the first wheel arm and the second wheel arm in their respective extended positions such that a net adjustment of the first wheel arm and the second wheel arm with respect to the base is approximately zero.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting a tank car is provided. The lifting apparatus can include a first arm to surround and not contact a tank car jacket and a second arm to surround and not contact the tank car jacket.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting a tank car is provided. The lifting apparatus can include a first arm to surround and not contact a tank car jacket and a second arm to surround and not contact the tank car jacket.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus for lifting a tank car is provided. The lifting apparatus can include a first arm to surround and not contact a tank car jacket and a second arm to surround and not contact the tank car jacket.

Abstract: A rail gear assembly includes a base, a first wheel arm, and a second wheel arm. The first wheel arm may have a first end pivotally coupled to the base at a first arm connection and may have a second end rotatably connected to a first wheel by a first axle. The second wheel arm may have a first end pivotally coupled to the base at a second arm connection and a second end rotatably connected to a second wheel by a second axle. The second axle may be independent of the first axle. The rail gear assembly may include actuators that move the first wheel arm and second wheel arm between retracted positions and extended positions. The actuators may permit adjustment of the first wheel arm and the second wheel arm in their respective extended positions such that a net adjustment of the first wheel arm and the second wheel arm with respect to the base is approximately zero.

Abstract: A method for lifting a tank car is provided. The method can include positioning a lifting apparatus above a tank car, pulling at least one of the first arm and the second arm outward to place the lifting apparatus in an open configuration, lowering the lifting apparatus in the open configuration to surround a tank of the tank car, connecting the second end of the first arm to a first tank car support, connecting the second and of the second arm to a second tank car support, and raising the lifting apparatus to lift the tank car.

Abstract: A method for lifting a tank car is provided. The method can include positioning a lifting apparatus above a tank car, pulling at least one of the first arm and the second arm outward to place the lifting apparatus in an open configuration, lowering the lifting apparatus in the open configuration to surround a tank of the tank car, connecting the second end of the first arm to a first tank car support, connecting the second and of the second arm to a second tank car support, and raising the lifting apparatus to lift the tank car.

Abstract: A method for lifting a tank car is provided. The method can include positioning a lifting apparatus above a tank car, pulling at least one of the first arm and the second arm outward to place the lifting apparatus in an open configuration, lowering the lifting apparatus in the open configuration to surround a tank of the tank car, connecting the second end of the first arm to a first tank car support, connecting the second and of the second arm to a second tank car support, and raising the lifting apparatus to lift the tank car.

Abstract: A method for lifting a tank car is provided. The method can include positioning a lifting apparatus above a tank car, pulling at least one of the first arm and the second arm outward to place the lifting apparatus in an open configuration, lowering the lifting apparatus in the open configuration to surround a tank of the tank car, connecting the second end of the first arm to a first tank car support, connecting the second and of the second arm to a second tank car support, and raising the lifting apparatus to lift the tank car.

Abstract: A tank car lifting apparatus is provided. The lifting apparatus can include a spreader beam, a first arm rotatably connected to the spreader beam, a second arm rotatably connected to the spreader beam, and a synchronizing linkage to synchronize movement of the first arm and the second arm such that the first arm and the second arm move at the same time.

Abstract: A tank car lifting apparatus is provided. The lifting apparatus can include a spreader beam, a first arm rotatably connected to the spreader beam, a second arm rotatably connected to the spreader beam, and a synchronizing linkage to synchronize movement of the first arm and the second arm such that the first arm and the second arm move at the same time.