Abstract: A prior method for designing transition curves for railroad tracks and other vehicle guideways begin with a choice of a roll function representing a functional form for variation of the track or guideway roll or cant angle as a function of distance and requires the curvature of the transition shape to keep the components of centripetal and gravitational acceleration in the plane of the track or guideway equal at each point along the shape and integrates the equation expressing that equality as part of a procedure for determining the resulting transition curve shape. That method is supplemented by a method of defining basic roll functions in terms of Gegenbauer orthogonal polynomials, including roll functions which generate simple spirals as well as more complex shapes (referred to as bends, jogs, and wiggles).

Abstract: A model railway system with improved banking characteristics 10 comprising a series of track sections 16, 18 joined end-to-end to form a continuous track assembly 12 and a modular trestle assembly 32 to elevate the track assembly 12. The trestle assembly 32 includes a biaxially inclined coupling module 28 that allows the track 12 to be built at a greater incline within a tighter radius than would otherwise be possible. The model railway system 10 includes a battery 114 powered locomotive 110 with a portable hand-held remote control device 84 that uses infrared signals 102 to send commands to the locomotive 110. The locomotive 110 pulls modular train cars 53,54 that have coupling protrusions 30 and beam support brackets 64 to support accesories to build different types of cars.

Abstract: A precast concrete curved grade crossing includes a plurality of base members, each of which has a central recess formed in the upper surface thereof. The central recess receives a plurality of center panels. The plurality of base members and center panels are laid end-to-end to form a curved crossing. Each of the plurality of base members and center panels have a substantially trapezoidal shape which varies in dimension proportional to the radius of curvature of the crossing. A restraining rail is removably attached to a first standard rail, both being received between the base members and center panels to add rigidity and structural stability. The first standard rail together with the restraining rail are encased by a wide rubber boot which extends through the crossing in a single continuous piece to maintain electrical isolation between the concrete base member and center panels and the first and restraining rails.

Abstract: An improved rail and crosstie trackage assembly for toy trains that includes three rails slidingly fastened to a series of ties the underside of which have slots to receive two elongated reinforcing rods which are fastened thereto by bonding first one rod thereto, bending the assembly to a desired curvature and then bonding the other rod thereto in the slots.

Abstract: A system for the laying of panel track that includes a plurality of panel tracks, a railroad car containing the panel tracks, and a panel track lifter positioned in the railroad car for lifting the panel tracks from the railroad car and for placing the panel tracks exterior of the railroad car. Each of the panel tracks includes a first rail, a second rail, a plurality of ties extending between and beneath each of the rails, and a plurality of gage rods affixed at various locations along the rails. A tension bar extends angularly between the first and second rails so as to create a curvature in the rails. The railroad car includes a material container having a generally flat floor extending between a pair of side walls. The material container has trucks suitable for rolling along a panel track. The material container is made up of a plurality of railroad cars having a flat floor extending throughout the plurality of railroad cars.

Abstract: A laterally stable and self-turning wheel and rail assembly. The curved rolling surfaces of the wheels bear against curved contact surfaces of the rails such that centrifugal force causes lateral translation of the wheels on the rails, thereby increasing the effective rolling radius of an outside rail while decreasing or maintaining the same effective rolling radius of an inner wheel. The altered rolling radius causes the wheels to move along a curved path without slipping or sliding. Flanges are provided adjacent track turnouts so that guide members activated by a vehicle operator may contact the flanges to either maintain the vehicle in the same set of tracks, or switch the vehicle through the turnout onto a new section of track.

Abstract: An electric motor driven toy train is disclosed which has a novel wheel and track assembly for minimizing slippage and avoiding binding between the train's wheels and the track as the train goes around a curve section of the track. The train's wheels are each stepped in cross-section with a small diameter rim and a large diameter rim, and the wheels ride on track sections with rails that are also stepped in cross-section. The inside rail of a curve track section is structured so that only the inside train wheels' small diameter rims ride thereover, and the outside rail is structured so that only the outside wheels' large diameter rims ride thereover. The train comprises multiple cars, each of which is articulated about a vertical axis and each of which has only a single axle so as to minimize the turning radius of the train set. A child sits upon the second car, the coal tender, and steers the first car, the locomotive of the set.

Abstract: An improved railway car wheelset having a novel wheel configuration that permits greatly improved performance on existing and improved track. This means that substantially higher rolling speeds can be achieved without loss of stability and while maintaining the ability of the wheelset to self center and self steer. The improved performance is enabled primarily by forming the track engaging surface of each wheel of the wheelset with an outward arcuate projection also referred to herein as the convex annular portion of the wheel. This wheel configuration operates to reduce the magnitude of the effects that occur when disturbances cause the wheelset to deviate from centered position on the track.