Abstract: A bimodal container chassis for supporting a container during roadway and railway transit includes a mainframe having first and second ends, a top edge and a bottom angled edge. The bottom angled edge is positioned at an angle from horizontal. A running gear attachment is connected to the mainframe and slidable along the bottom angled edge in first and second directions between an over-the-road position and an over-the-rail position. The first direction is upward and toward the first end and the second direction is downward and toward the second end such that the running gear attachment is disposed adjacent the second end when in the over-the-road position and disposed upward relative to the over-the-road position and toward the first end when in the over-the-rail position.

Abstract: The improved intermodal vehicle has a one-piece upper frame assembly with a horizontal load carrying surface below the ends of a drawbar for connecting the trailers. Each highway trailer has a coupler socket assembly at both its front and rear into which the drawbar enters and connects to the intermodal vehicle by a vertical coupling pin projecting upward from the horizontal load carrying surface. The coupling pin is operated up and down by either manual or air operated actuators, and locks in the up position by a manually operated safety latch. The upper frame is supported from dual steerable lower frames by primary air springs so that when the springs are deflated, the upper frame is lowered to allow the trailers to be pushed upon the load carrying surface. When the air springs are inflated, the trailers are raised so that the trailer wheels are carried above the railroad track.

Abstract: A method for limiting the angle between the longitudinal axes of car bodies of a multi-part rail vehicle connected to each other via a joint, wherein each car body is supported on only one bogie. The angle is actively influenced by an electrically controlled activation member connected to the joint, until the angle assumes a setpoint value. The setpoint value is determined from the pivot angles (relative angles) of the bogies relative to the associated car bodies.

Abstract: An intermodal transportation system having interconnected railcars adapted for transporting interconnected freight trailers where the freight trailers remain connected while being transported on the railcars. Individual trailers are assembled into trailer assemblies at an assembly area. Trailers containing freight are assembled into trailer assembles using specialized dollies. A preferred embodiment includes using a self-powered dolly having tires and mounting a fifth-wheel pickup plate and a ring coupler for engaging the kingpin of a trailer. Multiple dolly-trailer assemblies are connected together to form a trailer assembly. A self-powered movable ramp is positioned at an end of the railcar assembly and a tractor pulls the trailer assembly onto a railcar assembly by driving up a self-powered movable ramp and across the top of the railcars.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a bimodal container chassis of differing lengths in a gooseneck type as well as a flat beam type for supporting ISO and domestic containers and other cargo during highway as well as railway transit. The bimodal container chassis has a front end equipped with a king-pin for connecting to a tractor and a rear end equipped with braking and suspension components, axles, wheels and tires, which make the bimodal container chassis suitable for road transport. The bimodal container chassis has front and rear ends for connecting, and thereby suspending, the bimodal container chassis including but not limited to its payload between two rail bogies, which make the bimodal container chassis suitable for rail transit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to symmetrical arrangements in multi-unit articulated rail road cars. A multi-unit railroad car has an odd number of railcar units joined end to end by articulated connectors supported by railcar trucks. The railroad car has a transverse centerline. The arrangement of articulated connectors about the transverse centerline is symmetrical.

Abstract: A coke oven buckstay moving device and method which can be used to quickly, reliably, and smoothly repair buckstays compared to conventional methods and devices. The coke oven buckstay moving means includes a main car, a subcar, a frame, and securing means. The main car is used when repairing pillered buckstays that support oven walls of the coke oven, and moves on a coke side platform or a machine side platform. The subcar is placed on the main car, and can freely move forward and backward in a direction of a lengthwise direction of the coke oven. The frame is provided in a standing manner on the subcar. The securing members are mounted to the frame and are used to grasp and secure the buckstays. According to the method, a damaged portion of the buckstay is secured to the subcar, cut, and then removed. Reversing the steps, a replacement buckstay is secured to the subcar, moved into position, and welded into place. The subcar is detached, and the oven repaired.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement for forming a train of highway trailers, including at least one leading trailer having a rearwardly disposed locating device and a retractable highway wheel assembly, at least one following trailer having a forwardly disposed locating device and a retractable highway wheel assembly, a coupler removably and pivotally mounted upon a railway bogie and including a forwardly projecting coupling device and a rearwardly disposed coupling device, the former coupling device engageable with the leading trailer's rearwardly disposed locating device and the latter coupling device engageable with the following trailer's forwardly disposed locating device. Upon engagement of the respective coupling and locating devices the forwardly projecting coupling device forms a generally rigid beam from the rear of the leading trailer to the interface between the coupler and the bogie.

Abstract: A multi-unit railroad freight car and a container-carrying intermediate unit for such a car. The intermediate unit is located between and coupled to each of a pair of well units designed for carrying stacked cargo containers. Coupled ends of the intermediate units and adjacent container well units are supported on a shared truck. The intermediate unit includes a center sill, transverse bolsters atop the center sill, and container supporting arms extending from the bolsters and above body bolsters of the adjacent container well units.

Abstract: A railroad drive system for transporting, along a railroad track, a vehicle trailer having a front king pin and a rear king pin downwardly projecting from a lower surface thereof in vertically spaced relation above the railroad track includes a drive assembly having motorized wheels including a pair of differential axles. The drive assembly is carried on a support frame and operatively engages the railroad track and a front fifth wheel and a rear fifth wheel carried by said support frame and having a first position vertically below the lower surface of the trailer. A lifting assembly operatively selectively raises the front fifth wheel and the rear fifth wheel into coupled relationship with the king pins. An operator control station extends laterally outward of said support frame between said axles for operating the drive and lifting assemblies.

Abstract: An refined intermodal vehicle for forming a train of highway trailers. The intermodal vehicle has a unitary upper frame assembly provided with leading and trailing load carrying surfaces spaced below ends of a continuous drawbar to which highway trailers may be connected, each of the highway trailers having leading a trailing coupler socket assemblies having vertically spaced apart aligned apertures. In the refined design a coupling pin passes through the continuous drawbar and tightly engages the apertures in the associated coupler socket so that the coupling pin can rock within the drawbar as the associated trailer rocks relative to the upper frame assembly. In addition, the upper frame assembly is mounted on a pair of steerable lower frame assemblies by springs, and an improved steering mechanism is provided. Other features include a centering ramp, a backup coil spring suspension system, a novel stop mechanism. A novel transition vehicle is also provided.