Abstract: A loading unit is mounted on a railway flat car to load and unload heavy wheeled, tracked or towable vehicles at any desired point along the railway right-of-way. The ramp unit enables vehicles to be loaded and unloaded one after the other along apron extensions disposed obliquely. The track, ties and ballast areas are protected by the ramp unit against disturbance or damage during the loading or unloading operations. A base portion is mounted on a flat car and is generally stationary relative thereto. Ramp, platform and apron portions are mounted thereon and are generally longitudinally movable relative to the base and define, in turn, a load path sloped to the railway bed from the flat car surface. The platform portion is adapted to overlie and protect the railway tracks, ties and bed during loading and unloading of the train and provides angulated apron segments enabling vehicles to be loaded and unloaded without damaging the railway tracks, ties or ballast.