Abstract: A failed bearing indicator for detecting and indicating an overheated axle journal in a railcar axle bearing. In a preferred embodiment the failed bearing indicator is characterized by an elongated connector chain terminated on each end by a T-shaped connector bracket. Each of the connector brackets is typically bolted to a common pedestal adaptor which is mounted on each corresponding axle bearing of the railcar, and one of the fastening bolts is constructed of a heat-resistant material and the other fastening bolt is constructed of a heat-sensitive material. In the event that the axle bearing overheats during travel of the railcar on the railroad, the heat-sensitive bolt melts and releases the corresponding connector bracket from the pedestal adaptor, while the other connector bracket, secured by the heat-resistant bolt, remains attached to the pedestal adaptor.

Abstract: A railway car truck axle assembly retention mechanism for retaining an axle assembly when the truck frame is lifted for maintenance purposes, including a connecting member having a plurality of upright flat metal plates fastened together in face-to-face relation and having the lower end of the plates secured to an axlebox, the upper end of the plates being free of the frame when operating on rail but being engageable to be lifted by the frame when the frame is lifted for maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A railway loading dock is provided with adjacent trackage having pairs of main rails and stabilizing rails. A modified railway flatbed car is equipped along its sides with stabilizing wheels and associated support structure to retain the car bed coplanar with the loading dock surface to permit drive on loading and drive off unloading of large trucks. The railway car bed is equipped with bed extensions which primarily occupy that space between ends of adjacent cars to permit travel of trucks, in a straight or oblique manner, over the ends of adjacent railway cars. The stabilizing rails have inclined segments for gradual engagement with the car stabilizing wheels.

Abstract: The present invention features a safety device that activates the air-brake system immediately upon the detection and/or occurrence of a railroad car derailment condition. The safety device includes a bar entension disposed beneath each car of a train. The extension bar is disposed transverse to the parallel rails and is positioned a few (approximately four) inches above them. When any one of the cars is caused to derail, the extension bar contacts the rail, causing a trip valve in the air-brake line to open. The opening of the trip valve gradually releases the air pressure in the line, thus automatically and instantaneously actuating the air-brake system throughout the train. The gradual release of the air pressure in the air-brake system provides more time for the engineer of the train to bring the train under control and reduces the possibility of damage and injury caused by the derailment.

Abstract: An arrangement for increasing the roll stability of rail vehicles equipped with air suspension. Two air spring bellows having integrated emergency springs of a first bogie are controlled by a respective leveling valve. In addition to these bellows, a roll stabilizer is provided, so that in the vicinity of the first bogie, the car body, when viewed in the horizontal direction, is nearly parallel to this bogie. So that when track twist is encountered, the second bogie can swing relative to the car body, only one of the air spring bellows of this bogie is controlled by a third leveling valve disposed in the center of the car body, while the other air spring bellows is connected via an equalizing line with one of the air spring bellows of the first bogie. A central emergency spring extends concentrically around the center pivot of the second bogie.

Abstract: A rail car comprises a movable loading floor for use with a pair of platforms of substantially equal height, the platforms being located on respective opposite longitudinal sides of the rail cars for loading and unloading of trailers, motor vans, passenger cars, etc. The rail car has a recessed chassis bottom between the wheeled support trucks thereof, on which is supported the movable loaded floor for carrying and shipping a trailer. The rotatable loading floor is rotatable from a first position in which the longitudinal axis of the rotatable loading floor coincides with the longitudinal axis of the rail car, to a second position in which the longitudinal axis of the rotatable floor is at a given angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the rail car and in which the ends of the rotatable loading floor overlie respective platforms on opposite sides of the rail car.

Abstract: A safety device for automatically actuating the air brake system for an entire train of railroad cars when any one or more of the cars becomes derailed includes a derail wheel on its own axle attached to the truck frame between the wheels both on the front and rear set of wheels which are nearest to the train line and normally, such derail wheel is spaced slightly above the rail but will engage the ground in a derailment causing it to rotate. A flexible cable is secured at one end to the axle of the derail wheel so as to be windable thereon when such wheel rotates and has its other end preferably connected to the nearest air hose coupling that is attached to a like coupling on an adjacent car. The winding up of the cable on the derail wheel assembly in a derailment acts to pull the air hose coupling loose from its coupling with the air hose on an adjacent car and the resulting breaking of the train line sets the brakes for all cars in the train.

Abstract: A railroad car is equipped with air release means in air flow communication with the car train pipe that is normally provided for connection with the air brake train line of a railroad train. Activators for the air release means are associated with respective sets of wheels, at opposite sides of respective wheel trucks of the car and at a height which will clear the corresponding rails of the railroad track during their travel but in positions to engage such rails upon derailment of any corresponding car wheel for operating the air release means, whereby the brakes of the train will be applied automatically upon any derailment. A novel air release valve with activator is preferably employed at respective opposite sides of respective wheel trucks as the air release means.

Abstract: A derail guard to prevent derailment of railed vehicles which can be readily attached to existing equipment is disclosed. The derail guard is particularly useful for track construction and repair equipment.