Abstract: A system and method for inspecting railroad track is disclosed. The disclosed system includes lasers, cameras, and a processor. The lasers are positioned adjacent the track. The laser emits a beam of light across the railroad track, and the camera captures images of the railroad track having the beam of light emitted thereon. The processor formats the images so that they can be analyzed to determine various measurable aspects of the railroad track. The disclosed system can include a GPS receiver or a distance device for determining location data. The measurable aspects that can be determined by the disclosed system include but are not limited to the spacing between crossties, the angle of ties with respect to rail, cracks and defects in surface of ties, missing fastener components, misaligned fastener components, sunken tie plates, raised spikes, rail wear, gage of rail, ballast height relative to ties, size of ballast stones, and break or separation in the rail.

Abstract: A hopper car of a dump train for transporting material includes a hopper and a conveyor for loading the hopper with material. The loading conveyor includes a frame, a first pulley, a second pulley, and a continuous belt. The frame is attached to the car above the hopper. The first pulley is attached at one end of the frame adjacent an end of the hopper car. The first pulley has a motor positioned therein such that when the motor is operated the first pulley is rotated. The second pulley is attached at another end of the frame adjacent another end of the hopper car. The continuous belt is positioned on the first and second pulleys such that rotation of the first motorized pulley moves the continuous belt around the frame. A plow assembly is positioned on the frame and is operable to screed material off the continuous belt and into the hopper. The plow assembly includes a rotatable rod attached to the frame and includes a plow attached to the rotatable rod by an arm and a joint.