Abstract: A bogie assembly includes a side frame that includes a first frame attachment portion and a second frame attachment portion. A bolster is operably coupled with the side frame and includes a bolster attachment portion. The bogie assembly includes a linkage system having a first connector link, a second connector link, and a center link. The center link is coupled with the bolster attachment portion of the bolster. The first connector link extends between a first end that is coupled with the first frame attachment portion and a second end that is coupled with the center link. The second connector link extends between a third end that is coupled with the center link and a fourth end that is coupled with the second frame attachment portion.

Abstract: A braking system and method includes primary and secondary cylinder assemblies. The primary cylinder assembly includes an expandable structure that controls movement of a first piston rod. The secondary cylinder assembly includes a second piston rod disposed within a second cavity of a second housing. A compressed fluid moves from the primary assembly to the secondary cylinder assembly responsive to the expandable structure expanding. The second piston rod moves from a resting state to a compressed state responsive to at least some of the compressed fluid being received by the secondary assembly. A fluid control assembly controls a position of a valve between an open position and a closed position to allow or prohibit the compressed fluid from moving between the primary and secondary assemblies.

Abstract: A knuckle of a coupler of a rail vehicle includes a main body including a recess formed in one or more surfaces. One or more weld fillers are disposed within the recess. A method of forming a knuckle of a coupler of a rail vehicle includes forming a recess in one or more surfaces of a main body, and disposing one or more weld fillers within the recess.

Abstract: An autonomous rail vehicle system that includes one or more motive systems, each having a bogie assembly, a vehicle frame coupled with the bogie assembly, and a control unit to control one or more operations of the one or more motive systems. The autonomous rail vehicle also includes a trailer that is coupled with the one or more motive systems. The trailer includes surfaces defining a cavity that can receive a cargo container. The trailer includes powered footing assemblies that are controlled by the control unit of the one or more motive systems. The powered footing assemblies are controlled to move between a first position and a second position to change a vertical position of the trailer relative to a position of the motive systems.

Abstract: A system and method include a train including a plurality of rail cars configured to travel along a track having rails. Each of the plurality of rail cars includes brakes. A braking control unit is in communication with the brakes of the plurality of rail cars. The braking control unit is configured to control the brakes of a subset of the plurality of rail cars in accordance with braking data.

Abstract: A knuckle of a coupler of a rail vehicle includes a main body including a recess formed in one or more surfaces. One or more weld fillers are disposed within the recess. A method of forming a knuckle of a coupler of a rail vehicle includes forming a recess in one or more surfaces of a main body, and disposing one or more weld fillers within the recess.

Abstract: A system and method include a train including a plurality of rail cars configured to travel along a track having rails. Each of the plurality of rail cars includes brakes. A braking control unit is in communication with the brakes of the plurality of rail cars. The braking control unit is configured to control the brakes of a subset of the plurality of rail cars in accordance with braking data.

Abstract: A friction assist side bearing assembly for a truck assembly of a rail vehicle includes a first friction member, a second friction member that opposes the first friction member, and a cap coupled to the first friction member and the second friction member. The cap is configured to contact a portion of a car body coupled to the truck assembly.

Abstract: A friction shoe for a railway car truck is provided. The railway truck comprises two parallel sideframes, a suspension spring assembly supported by the sideframes, and a bolster transversely mounted between the sideframes and supported by the suspension spring assembly. Each sideframe has at least one vertical support face, and the bolster has at least one sloped support face. The friction shoe comprises a bottom base engaging and supported by a suspension control spring, a sloped face engaging the sloped wall of the bolster. The friction shoe further includes a vertical face including a pocket, with a friction liner in the pocket. The friction liner engaging the vertical column of the sideframe. The friction shoe friction liner comprised of a material providing a damping force of between 700 and 16,250 pounds and a normal force of between 2000 and 12,000 pounds.