Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for loading and unloading a semi-trailer on a railway wagon, comprising a loading and unloading structure intended to receive the semi-trailer. The loading and unloading structure comprises a lower portion in the form of a support plate intended to carry the semi-trailer and an upper portion in the form of a handling frame intended to be handled and moved by a standard means for handling containers. To this end, the upper portion of the handling frame has a standard container interface intended to be handled and moved by a standard means for handling containers. The support plate and the handling frame are connected either by a fixed link or by a detachable link.

Abstract: A transporting and loading system for rail-supported conveyances using transport vehicles outfitted with a standardized loading platform for ISO containers, particularly for machinery for inspecting and maintaining track installations, is provided. Transporting and loading rail-supported conveyances allowing rail-supported conveyances to be safely transported to places of use at any distance apart without special-purpose vehicles and to be deposited on and picked up from a track installation without external lifting gear is described. The transporting and loading system has a sandwich construction comprising two floor assemblies which conform to ISO container dimensions, an intermediate space between the floor assemblies for drive units, transmission units and control units for the automated movement of the loading and offloading unit, and rails are provided for holding and guiding the rail-supported conveyances on the sandwich construction.

Abstract: A railway wagon for transport of for example a semi-trailer comprises—carried by two bogies or the like—a main portion, pivotally connected to a rearward bogie, and a wagon end, connected to a forward bogie, the main portion and the wagon end being releasably connected to each other. A beam is to be connected to or is connected to the wagon end for horizontally guiding the main portion at its pivoting out from the wagon end. Means are provided for vertically displacing the main portion or a part thereof in relation to the wagon end.

Abstract: A stepwell cover apparatus for use in a vehicle having a stepwell including a step that is located below the floor of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a horizontal cover that may be retracted to a position below the floor in order to expose the steps of the stepwell and may be extended to a position flush with the floor in order to conceal the steps of the stepwell. In addition, the stepwell cover apparatus includes a drive mechanism for driving the horizontal cover between the fully extended and the fully retracted positions, a guide mechanism for guiding the horizontal cover during movement and pivot members that cooperate with the drive and guide mechanisms to raise the horizontal cover to a level flush with the floor when the cover reaches the fully extended position.

Abstract: A wagon for carrying a lifting cradle having a wagon chassis and at least one pivotable body mounted to pivot about an axis for pivoting and guides for receiving at least one lifting cradle. Components for locking the lifting cradle to the chassis include a shaft fixed to the chassis and disposed along the vertical axis for pivoting, two attachment arms disposed on either side of a longitudinal plane of symmetry and mounted on the shaft to pivot between an unlocking configuration and a locking configuration, the arms including noses projecting laterally each adapted, in the locking configuration, to engage between two substantially transverse sides of a housing provided on the side beams of the lifting cradle and, in the unlocked configuration, to be outside the housings. Elements to control and guide the movement of the arms and to block the arms in the locked configuration are attached to the arms.

Abstract: A swivel platform for a rail vehicle is disclosed. The swivel platform is intended for loading a container from a road vehicle onto the rail vehicle and vice versa. The swivel platform comprises a bottom frame which must be fixed to the rail vehicle and a top frame which can swing relative to the bottom frame through an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rail vehicle. The top frame is provided with two parallel container guide elements which are connected to each other by means of transverse elements, one of which is provided with a wheel or roller which during the swing movement runs over part of the rail vehicle or over part of the bottom frame. Furthermore each of the parallel container guide elements is also provided with a wheel or roller which during the swing movement runs over part of the rail vehicle or over part of the bottom frame.

Abstract: A railroad freight car having a rotatable loading floor for transferring loads between it and a station platform. The railroad station has two platforms on opposite sides of the rail car. An edge of each platform is provided at each longitudinal end with a sloping beam which angles upwardly from the end of the platform towards its center. The lowest part of the beam, which is at the free end of the platform, is below a set of wheels carried on the chassis of the rail car. The center portion of the platform is at a height above that of these rollers. The rollers are arranged to extend laterally of the rail car and to overlie the beams. As the rail car pulls into the station, the rollers will engage the upwardly sloping part of the beams to thereby raise the chassis in relation to its wheels by virtue of extending the suspension as the car continues in its direction of movement.

Abstract: A railroad flat car having a rotatable loading floor for transferring loads between it and a platform. A sleeve is provided in the rotatable loading floor which slidably receives a beam coupled to the chassis. The beam is extended into the sleeve to secure the loading floor in its stowed position during travel. The beam abuts against a steel plate in the sleeve to provide a solid buffer against horizontal motion of the rotatable loading floor along its longitudinal axis, the beam and sleeve also stiffen the rail car to minimize sagging under heavy loads. The end of the loading floor has a pinion gear which meshes with a toothed rack on the chassis. A motor turns the pinion gear to swing the rotatable loading floor into position.

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.