Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for connecting a rail bogie to a bimodal hauling vehicle and converting the vehicle for use over either a railway or roadway are disclosed. An illustrative system for connecting a rail bogie to a bimodal hauling vehicle includes a receiver unit coupled to the vehicle. A king pin and bogie locking mechanism on the receiver unit can be used to releasably secure the rail bogie to the receiver unit during transitioning of the vehicle from a highway mode of operation to a railway mode of operation. The bogie locking mechanism can include a number of lock jaw members and a lock jaw actuator, which can be engaged to actuate the lock jaw members between an unlocked position and a locked position about a number of locking pins on the rail bogie frame.

Abstract: A system and method to load and unload railcars using stackable trays having an internal propulsion system.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a coefficient of friction on a surface of objects such as rails. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a vertical sensor assembly for determining the coefficient of friction of a top surface of a rail. A different embodiment comprises a lateral sensor assembly for determining a coefficient of friction of a gage face of a rail. The sensor assemblies may include a shoe. The sensor assemblies may include a load cell. Other embodiments include various combinations of lateral sensor assemblies and vertical sensor assemblies. Structure for mounting the assemblies to a vehicle may also be provided.

Abstract: An intermodal vehicle for both highway and railway use. A bogie is rigidly and releasably connected to a trailer for supporting the trailer for transportation over a railway. The trailer has a retractable roadway tire assembly for extending and retracting roadway wheels on the underside on the trailer. When roadway wheels are extended, the trailer lifts the bogie off the ground for transporting the bogie to and from railway tracks. When roadway tires are retracted, the bogie supports the trailer for transportation over a railway.

Abstract: A magnetic skirt assembly is provided which is used as a metallic particle and grit collector on a railroad car to protect transported products. The magnetic skirt (20) includes a supporting frame structure (21) and a magnetic material (36) operatively attached thereto. The magnetic skirt is installed on the underside of the railroad car, preferably one skirt at each end of the railroad car adjacent to the outboard side of the wheel trucks. The magnetic skirts of the invention attract and collect fine metallic particles and grit on their magnetic surfaces which come off the railroad bed during transit of the railroad car. The design of the magnetic skirt particularly addresses the primary flow of air through the railroad car wheel trucks directed outboard and the airstream carrying the metallic particles flowing upward between rail cars which can potentially enter the gaps in the railroad car end doors. Periodically, the magnetic skirts can be cleaned or rinsed off to remove the accumulated grit or particles.

Abstract: An intermodal system for moving highway semi-trailers by rail transportation. With the system of the present invention, trailers of any length are carried on a plurality of rail bogies such that one end of the semi-trailer is carried by one rail bogie and the other end of the semi-trailer is carried by another rail bogie. Each rail bogie has a frame structure supported on spaced-apart, wheeled axles. The frame structure defines a central drop deck section having a stationary, longitudinally extended, planar platform. Each rail bogie further includes a trailer securement system. The trailer securement system includes a chock assembly for facilitating trailer loading through simultaneous rotational movement of the semi-trailer's wheels through an arc on the platform and translatory movement of the wheels along a predetermined longitudinal path on the platform. The chock assembly includes a transversely spaced pair of joined chock blocks normally arranged on one side of the semi-trailer's wheels.

Abstract: Bridge plate for moving automobiles between railroad auto-rack cars characterized by an intermediate upright trues and two bracing trusses joined thereto of inverted trapezoidal cross section. A bottom plate joins the bracing trusses, secured by mechanical fasteners, and struts are interposed between the bottom plate and the intermediate truss to transfer a load on the intermediate truss to the bottom plate. The intermediate truss presents a flat top for one set (left or right) of the automobile wheels.

Abstract: A covered railway hopper car includes a plurality of vertical partition sheets connected to the side walls of the car to form a plurality of hoppers. The connection of the vertical edges of the partition sheets to the inner surfaces of the side walls includes vertical posts of a cross-sectional configuration reducing stress concentration of the partition to prevent fracture.

Abstract: A load distributing and vibration damping center bearing assembly for a railway car including a body center plate assembly including a base plate secured to the body bolster, a flat truck bowl bearing plate, and an elastomeric disc sandwiched therebetween and bonded between the brass plate and bearing plate to abate and dissipate destructive radial and vertical impact loading on the truck bowl and center plate during rail operations.