Abstract: An access and support apparatus for loading and unloading gondola railroad cars using a crane-type crawler, which system includes a trailer-mounted ramp for disposition in close proximity to a gondola railroad car and multiple pallets adapted for spanning the top width of the gondola railroad car and supporting the crane-type crawler. The crane-type crawler is unloaded from the trailer and traverses the ramp to the pallets. In a first preferred embodiment the pallets are characterized by fixed pallets having no adjustable feature. In a second preferred embodiment the pallets are adjustable to accommodate a characteristic bulge in the center of the gondola railroad cars for a higher degree of safety. The pallets are typically sequentially moved from the rear to the front of the crane-type crawler as the crawler loads or unloads the gondola railroad cars and traverses the length of the cars.

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: The unit includes an overhead line along which a large number of trollies or sorting containers move. Each is provided with a moving base like a small rotating mat enabling collection and depositing of packages to be sorted along the line. Each of these bases is mounted onto its respective trolley by way of a telescopic structure and along the line there are mechanisms to position each cell at a height corresponding to that of the collection devices where the packages are to be unloaded.

Abstract: A freight car for incorporation into a freight train of a series of successively arranged like freight cars comprises a carrier frame, a box for storing bulk material, the box having a bottom affixed to the carrier frame and an open top, two longitudinally extending bulk material conveyor arrangements arranged independent of each other, at least one of the conveyor arrangements extending partly along the bottom of the box, and each conveyor arrangement having opposite ends longitudinally spaced from each other and one of the conveyor arrangement ends being higher than the opposite conveyor arrangement end whereby the conveyor arrangement ends at facing ends of the successive freight cars overlap when the freight cars are coupled together.

Abstract: Material handling apparatus for conveying loose material into an elongated container such as a railroad car. An endless belt conveyor is mounted above and extends the full length of the container. A plurality of equally-spaced, individually, selectively operable discharge stations are disposed along the conveyor for discharging material off the sides of the conveyor into the elongated container, thereby providing for uniform loading of the car. Mechanism is provided for raising the conveyor above the container to permit pivotal side dumping of the container without engagement between the container and the conveyor.

Abstract: The straddle apparatus for loading and unloading gondola and similar-type railcars is mobile for movement into a position straddling a railcar on railroad tracks. It has a platform supported by leg members adjustable to vary the elevation of the platform above the railcar. A boom mount structure is fixed to the front portion of the platform. Stabilizing assemblies are also mounted at the front edge of the platform for swinging downwardly to abut upper surface lateral edges of the railcar with an operator-selected degree of pressure to reduce lateral wobble movement and longitudinal roll movement of the railcar during loading and unloading operations. The stabilizing assemblies also give additional support to the boom assembly during the material handling operations of loading and unloading.

Abstract: A material transfer machine includes a slat conveyor of substantially the width of a feed hopper of a paving machine. The slat conveyor is supported by caster wheels to be disposed at an incline having a material intake end at a lower end thereof and a discharge end at the opposite upper end of the conveyor. The slat conveyor is mounted to a leading edge of the paving machine such that the upper discharge end is disposed above the feed hopper of the paving machine. A hopper is disposed ahead of the lower intake end of the slat conveyor, supported by a frame which is pivotably attached at a rear end thereof along the sides of the slat conveyor to an understructure thereof. The front end of the frame is supported by caster wheels, such that the frame is capable of joint movement with the conveyor and the paving machine while supporting pivotal movement in a vertical plane in response to grande changes of a base grade.

Abstract: A rotary dump wagon for handling ballast having a carriage with a first conveyor mounted thereon for conveying ballast the length of the carriage and a plurality of hollow drums supported by the carriage and engaging the first conveyor for rotational movement thereabout. Each drum has a plurality of elongated flights mounted to the inner surface thereof for lifting ballast to the first conveyor and at least one downwardly extendible plow blade suspended therein which selectively contacts the upper surface of the first conveyor thereby diverting ballast traveling thereon to the lower portion of the drum. A second conveyor is pivotally mounted to the carriage subjacent the discharge end of the first conveyor for horizontal movement about a vertical axis and extends upwardly and forwardly beyond the forward end of the carriage and above the first conveyor.

Abstract: An improved locomotive crane boom generally indicated at 10 has of a first member 11, second member 12, and third member 13 each pivotally connected at various pivot points to one another and to locomotive crane 14. A series of pistons and cylinders, 19, 20 and 21, powered by hydraulic pump 23 and fluid source 34, may be selectively extracted or retracted thereby permitting the improved boom to be positioned at any point along the length of a typical gondola car 17 to be unloaded. In operation, locomotive crane 14 with the included improved boom 10 does not need to be uncoupled from gondola car 17 for unloading since the improved boom may be articulated such that unloading magnet 24 or any other appended appliance may be positioned across the entire length of car 17 through the selected extraction and retraction of the pistons and cylinders and pivoting of the boom members 11, 12 and 13.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading open top railroad cars (46) utilizing a conventional material handling equipment item attached to a slidable structure (20). The material handling equipment item is equipped with a boom structure (64) and material handling device (66). During railcar loading and unloading operations, the operator positions and attaches the material handling equipment item onto the slidable structure (20) which is positioned adjacent to an end of the railcar (46). The front of the structure is engaged with the top surface of the railcar endwall (72) and the material handling device is positioned on the railroad bed (52) adjacent to the rear of the slidable structure (20). The boom structure (64) is then extended to position the apparatus atop the railcar (46). The apparatus (18) is then supported on the sidewall (76) upper surface of the railcar by support members (22) which are hydraulically extendable from the structure ends (36).

Abstract: A hydraulically operated load handling vehicle for open-top railway cars having four, three-way adjustable outriggers, each having a pair of wheel-like pads which ride along the sidewall tops of open-top railway cars. The corresponding wheel-like pads on the vehicle can be raised and lowered separately from the other corresponding pair so as to move across the space between adjacent railway cars in a string by a bridging action. The vehicle is provided with at least one crane, and preferably two cranes to load and unload the railway cars on which it is supported.

Abstract: A self-unloading train having a locomotive, a plurality of hopper cars, a discharge car and a control cab. The plurality of hopper cars have an underlying conveyer for the receipt of material from the hopper cars. The hopper cars are detachably connected to the locomotive. The discharge car is connected to the hopper cars opposite the locomotive for transferring the material from the underlying conveyer. The control cab is positioned at the end of the train opposite the locomotive. The control cab has a transmitter contained therewithin for controlling the movement of the locomotive from a remote location. The control cab is a compartment positioned at the end of the discharge car opposite the hopper cars. This compartment has a window on the wall of the compartment opposite the hopper cars. The transmitter is a radio transmitter positioned within the control cab for transmitting digitized signals to a receiver positioned within the locomotive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel train and track which can be used in an automated, tracked soration system which is capable of sorting and transporting high volumes ofgoods efficiently and which gives flexible system design, easy set-up, easy servicing with minimum down time, centralized control and a minimum of wiring complexity. The train includes "smart" cars and a locomotive for pulling the cars around the track. The trains are loaded with goods to be sorted and given destination addresses for the goods at a loading or master station. Once a train has left the master station, all functions including keeping track of position, regulating speed and dumping cars are to be controlled by a microprocessor placed aboard each locomotive. This "smart" design allows the track to be very simple as it need only provide a path and lower supply for the trains to run on and the train can wait at the loading station until it has a full or partial load to deliver.

Abstract: A material transport system having a material container for receiving material to be transported, motive members connected to the material container for allowing the material container to move from one place to another, and an unloader device positioned within the material container for unloading material therefrom. The material container has a generally flat floor extending between a pair of sidewalls. The unloader includes a tractor extending between the sidewalls of the material container and a shovel articulated to the tractor. The shovel has a size suitable for fitting between the sidewalls of the material container. The material container comprises a plurality of railroad cars having a generally flat roadway extending throughout the plurality of railroad cars. Each of the railroad cars is articulated to an adjacent car. The floor comprises a series of floor segments overlapping each other in the same direction.

Abstract: An apparatus using a miner, tramming conveyor and cart-type belt system wherein the system has a plurality of interconnected rail mounted carts having a lower portion supporting a panel belt and an upper portion for supporting the conveyor in both a conveying and a tramming mode.

Abstract: A self-propelled rail transport vehicle for carrying a hydraulic crawler crane is provided. The transport vehicle is designed to normally travel along the rails of a track and allow crane operation either from the transport or from a ground off-loaded position. The crane may be delivered and loaded on and off the transport at any convenient ground rail location, and when taken off the transport, may be used to lift the transport from the tracks, so as to allow trains to pass unobstructed. The crane may then be used to lift the transport back on the track after which the crane may be loaded onto the transport. Once the job at a site is complete, the carrier and crane may be returned to its original location by rail or by truck. A latching mechanism is located in the center of the carrier deck of the transport. The latching mechanism is adapted to engage with a retractable pin mounted to the underside of the car body of the crane.

Abstract: A unit train consisting of a plurality of hopper cars and a multi-purpose trailer car. The hoppers cars have one or more hoppers each having a bottom discharge opening and a controllable gate. An endless belt conveyor traverses the length of the train including a portion of the trailer car, and underlies the hopper discharge gates so that the hoppers may be emptied sequentially onto the train conveyor to unload the entire train. The trailer car includes a lift portion of the train conveyor to elevate the material for discharge onto a transfer conveyor carried on the trailer car. The elongated transfer conveyor is pivotally mounted at the receiving end to be swung laterally to discharge the material received from the train conveyor at some selected point relative to the trailer car. The trailer car may include the power systems and control systems for operating the conveyors and the hopper gates.

Abstract: System to feed and discharge materials continuously for the rehabilitation f railway road beds and the like in cooperation with operational machines (21) coupled to a plurality of waggons (10) storing such materials, in which system each storage waggon (10) comprises:hopper (11) to contain materials, with lower movable shutters (12) to open and close the hoppers (11),a lower conveyor (13) cooperating with the hoppers (11) and extending substantially along the whole length of the waggon (10) in a horizontal plane,a upper conveyor (14) extending substantially along the whole length of the waggon (10) in a horizontal plane, andan almost vertical conveyor (16) cooperating with the lower conveyor (13) in the transfer of materials.

Abstract: A mobile installation for loading, transporting and unloading track parts such as ties on, in and from open top railroad cars including a train mounted for mobility along a railroad track and having a plurality of open top railroad cars. Adjacent ones of the railroad cars are coupled together and each one of the railroad cars has two parallel side walls with top edges extending in the direction of the railroad track, and two end walls, the end wals of the adjacent railroad cars defining respective gaps therebetween. A power-driven crane is provided for loading and unloading the track parts and has an undercarriage supporting the crane for mobility in the direction of the railroad track. There is also a track supporting the undercarriage of the crane for mobility above the top edges of the railroad cars in said direction. The track includes two parallel guide rails mounted on the top edges of the railroad cars and is spaced apart a distance corresponding to the gage of the crane undercarriage.

Abstract: A freight discharge assembly particularly for a unit of railway hopper wagons (10) comprising an endless conveyor (30) arranged to run under the hoppers to receive material falling from the hoppers under gravity, a drive drum (36) at each end of the unit for selectively driving the endless belt in either direction each drive drum being mounted on arms (38) pivotally mounted on the unit whereby each loop of the endless belt around each drum (36) can be moved away from the unit.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for sequentially exchanging selected consecutive groups of old ties for groups of new ties while retaining a groups of old ties between the selected old ties for support of the mobile apparatus on the railroad track, which apparatus comprises an elongated bridge-like work vehicle having two undercarriages supporting respective opposite ends of the work vehicle on the railroad track, and a succession of different individual devices mounted on the work vehicle between the undercarriages and operative to effectuate different sequential operations for exchanging the selected old ties for the new ties.

Abstract: A railway train set intended to be used for the renewal of railroads, which comprises an operative assembly with two mutually coupled vehicles, the first of which is provided with two axles or bogies and the second is articulated at one of its own ends to a point of the first vehicle, situated in a position cantilevered with respect to its axles, and is provided at its opposite end with a single axle or bogie; the first vehicle includes a device situated between the two axles for removing the old rails, a device for allowing the second axle to advance on the old sleepers deprived of the rails, and a device for handling the old and the new equipment; the second vehicle includes a device for the removal of the old sleepers, a device for levelling or displacing or scarifying the ballast and a device for laying the new sleepers, as well as structure for allowing the second vehicle to advance on the new sleepers not yet provided with the new rails; and in the region of the articulation between the two vehicles the

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and unloading a railroad gondola car having spaced apart, parallel side walls with upper surfaces, the apparatus including a hydraulic excavator for excavating, loading, and unloading materials, the hydraulic excavator having a boom structure and a material engaging device rotatably mounted on two tracks for moving the hydraulic excavator from one location to another, each of the two track means having an inside set of rollers and an outside set of rollers for supporting the track over its entire width, adjusting structure for moving the tracks inwardly and outwardly to vary the distance between the tracks, and track support apparatus for supporting the track connected to the adjusting structure, a plurality of arms connected to the outside of each of the track support apparatus for preventing the hydraulic excavator from falling off of the gondola car when the two tracks are resting on the upper surfaces of the gondola car, the arms being adapted to extend downwardly adjace

Abstract: A mechanical tie gang comprises a train of open top railroad cars, a power-driven crane for loading and unloading ties and having an undercarriage arranged for mobility in the direction of the railroad track, and a track supporting the undercarriage of the crane for mobility above the top edges of the side walls of the railroad cars in this direction, the track comprising two parallel guide rails mounted on the top edges of the railroad cars and being spaced apart a distance corresponding to the gage of the crane undercarriage, the guide rails extending beyond the end walls of the railroad cars into the gaps between adjacent cars.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus arranged to store and transport bulk material comprises a box car having a frame and a box for storing and transporting the bulk material. A conveyor band arrangement for conveying the bulk material stored in the box in a conveying direction has a portion extending over the length of the box in the lower portion thereof and passes through a slot-shaped outlet opening in a front wall of the box in the conveying direction, and a device having adjustable chutes for selectively discharing the conveyed bulk material to the right and to the left of each rail is arranged outside the box and receives the conveyed bulk material therefrom.

Abstract: A concreting train consists of a plurality of wagons supporting a mixer, a multiple conveyor arrangement and separate containers for cement and aggregate. A container for cement has at least one integrated conveyor worm. All container wagons are provided with inclined conveyor belts which extend below the containers and overlap one another. On separate pathes aggregate and cement are supplied into a housing of the mixer wagon. The housing is supported on a weighing frame in order to additively weigh the mixing components. The housing contains a mixing shaft operatively connected with a drive motor. The housing is mounted for reciprocating movement along an inclined angled track in order to lift the housing on a higher level for discharging the concrete into a hopper of a concrete pump.

Abstract: A method for sequentially exchanging selected consecutive groups of old ties for groups of new ties while retaining groups of old ties between the selected old ties in a railroad track consisting of two rails fastened to the ties supported on ballast, which method comprises advancing at least one elongated bridge-like work vehicle along the track, sequentially operating a succession of different individual devices mounted on the advancing work vehicle to remove rail fastening elements whereby the selected ties are detached from the rails, to remove tie plates positioned between the detached ties and the rails, to withdraw the detached ties laterally from the track, to scarify the ballast where the detached ties have been withdrawn whereby shaped recesses are formed in the ballast under the rails, to insert new ties in the shaped recesses, to place new tie plates between the new ties and the rails, to tamp ballast under the new ties, and to fasten the rails to the new ties.

Abstract: A mobile apparatus for loading, transporting and laying an assembled track section comprises a track section carrier comprising an elongated carrier frame, track section gripping and holding devices mounted on the elongated carrier frame, and two pairs of transversely opposite lifting jacks arranged on the carrier frame for lifting and lowering the carrier frame, the jacks of each pair being fixedly connected to each other and the pairs of jacks being widely spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction to provide a high stability during lifting and lowering of the carrier frame. A self-propelled auxiliary vehicle is movable independently of the track section carrier and comprises a flatbed frame having two opposite ends and capable of receiving and supporting the carrier with the assembled track section gripped and held thereon, and a track-bound undercarriage and an off-track undercarriage at each end of the flatbed frame.

Abstract: A materials handling system primarily for use in tunneling operations for transporting extracted material from a tunnel is disclosed comprising an overhead track from which are suspended an elongated conveyor and a train of mine cars or other transport units. The conveyor conveys materials from a loading zone to a discharge zone. The suspension arrangement for the conveyor and the train of mine cars is such that one mine car can be positioned at a materials receiving station beneath the conveyor for receiving materials discharging therefrom at the discharge zone while the remaining mine cars wait at a queuing station beneath the conveyor for movement in turn to the materials receiving station.

Abstract: In the particular embodiments of the invention described herein there is disclosed apparatus for loading particulate material into a train of coupled rail cars. The apparatus includes open topped rail cars which carry a continuous rail track of rails which are attached to the upper edges of the cars, a loading car which carries a ramp which leads from a low level to the track on the rail cars, a bucket loader and perhaps a conveyor for loading a self propelled load distribution vehicle which is adapted to run under its own power on the ramp and the track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for loading and unloading a railroad gondola car having spaced apart, parallel side walls with upper surfaces, the apparatus including a hydraulic excavator having a boom structure and material engaging device mounted on two tracks, the two tracks being movable inwardly and outwardly from the base of the hydraulic excavator to vary the distance between the tracks, each of the tracks having a lip connected thereto which extends downwardly adjacent to the upper surface of the parallel side walls of a railroad gondola car to prevent the hydraulic excavator from falling off the gondola car when the two tracks are resting on the side walls of the gondola car.

Abstract: A conveyor system or plant has linked carriages including at least one driver carriage which has a motor unit for moving the linked carriages along a rail path. The rail path has a pair of side rails on which freely-rotatable wheels of the carriages run and a central rail upon which the motor unit of the drive carriage acts. Power for the motor unit is taken, through sliding contacts, from feed rods along the path.

Abstract: There is disclosed a mobile sludge handling apparatus which comprises first, second and third vehicles (2, 3, 4) which are coupled together to form a composite mobile unit. The first vehicle (2) carries a sludge-pump unit (5), and the second vehicle (3) carries a filter unit (6) which is arranged to receive sludge pumped thereto from the first vehicle (2) and to separate-out solid material from the sludge. The third vehicle (4) carries a conveyor unit (7) which is arranged to receive separated-out solid material from the second vehicle (3) and to convey such material to a discharge point for the apparatus.

Abstract: A track-bound carriage for receiving or laying an assembled track section from or on a track bed and for transporting the assembled track section in an operating direction, which comprises an elongated carrier frame, two undercarriages respectively supporting the forward and rear carrier frame halves on the assembled track section for movement therealong, each undercarriage including a flanged wheel engaging a respective one of the rails for support of the elongated carrier frame on the assembled track section, and a device for advancing the carrier frame stepwise in the operating direction, which includes two pairs of independently operable jacks arranged adjacent each other in the operating direction on each carrier frame half, each jack of each of the pairs being mounted at a respective one of the carrier frame sides outwardly spaced from a respective one of the tie ends, operation of the jacks vertically adjusting the jacks and enabling the jacks to engage the track bed, and one of the pairs of jacks on e

Abstract: A box car for storing bulk material and useful for incorporation in a freight train preceding a ballast cleaning machine for transporting waste material coming from the machine, the box car comprising a frame defining a plane, a box open on top and mounted on the frame for storing the bulk material, and a conveyor band arrangement in a lower portion of the box and extending in the direction of elongation of the box car. The conveyor band arrangement has a width substantially equal to that of the lower box portion and comprises a first portion extending in the plane and an ascending portion extending in this direction from the first portion of the conveyor band arrangement beyond the frame, a drive for the conveyor band arrangement, and a bulkhead partition in the box, the bulkhead partition being displaceable in this direction for dividing the box into compartments. The bulkhead partition has a lower end defining a port with the first conveyor band arrangement portion.

Abstract: A device for transporting logs or the like in which a two-part, trailer is carried upon a truck bed for storage, then unloaded and assembled by a log loader provided at the rear of the truck bed. The first portion of the two-part trailer includes an axle having wheels and a forwardly extending tongue which attaches to the truck bed by means of a trailer eye and hook. The second portion of the two-part trailer attaches to the first portion by means of a fifth wheel type of attachment. After use, the two-part trailer is disassembled and nested in a set, secure position upon the truck bed.

Abstract: A crane is mounted on a platform having ground engaging legs adapted to support the platform in an elevated position straddling railroad tracks so that a railway car to be loaded or unloaded is adapted to be moved beneath the platform. The legs are adapted to be displaced between raised and lowered positions relative to the platform and are in the lowered positions thereof when the platform is so ground supported. When a railway car has been moved beneath the platform, the legs are displaced toward their raised positions whereby the platform is lowered onto the car to rest on the top edges of the side walls thereof. Preferably, the legs are also adapted to be displaced laterally between extended and retracted positions relative to the platform and are retracted when the platform rests on the car to minimize lateral projection of the apparatus relative to the car.

Abstract: This rotary loader has two vertical posts each with a rotary arm radiating therefrom with a load platform centered an equal distance out on each arm. The arms are coordinated to revolve parallel and move under and lift or lower together to transfer a load such as a cargo container or railway car body separable from its chassis. Each arm supports the end of a load on a pivot or turntable central of the width of the load. The turntables can be connected to form one platform and the pivots be above or below the load. Preferably the turntables are round and on a lobe of equal diameter on the end of each arm with a rubber rimmed disc wheel of slightly larger diameter of the pivot's axis below the arm to guide the arms of the loader to roll between pedestals or rabbets across the car's platform to couple and align the loader and car for transfer. The loader is vehicle mounted to engage stationary cars or load berths.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating transport vehicles movable along a track carried by a train of railroad cars to and from a transfer station for loading the vehicles comprises a signalling arrangement including an emitter of perceptible stop-and go-signals for a respective transport vehicle. The signal emitter is positioned at the transfer station within the range of perception of the transport vehicle.

Abstract: Assembled track sections are replaced with a mobile apparatus moving along the track and having an elongated overhead girder extending above a transport vehicle or vehicles and projecting beyond an end thereof. A guide track extends in a transport plane along the girder and a trolley is mounted on the guide track for movement therealong, the trolley including a vertically adjustable hoist for lifting and lowering a respective track section and for conveying it along the guide track in the transport plane. Gantry supports for the girder project laterally beyond the longitudinally extending sides of the vehicle(s) for leaving therebetween a transverse space for permitting the passage of an assembled track switch section therethrough, the gantry supports including supports mounting the girder on the vehicle(s) and vertically adjustably supporting the projecting part of the girder on the ballast bed.

Abstract: A track renewal train of a plurality of track-bound freight cars storing ties removed from an old track section and ties to be laid for a new track section comprises a work car whose front frame end is pivotally supported on a last freight car. Elongated conveyors are mounted on the work car for conveying the old ties from a tie removing device and the new ties to a tie laying device. A tie transfer vehicle has front and rear gantry undercarriages, the front gantry undercarriage being movable only on the last freight car and the rear gantry undercarriage being movable only on the work car. The tie transfer vehicle includes two tie gripping devices arranged successively in the working direction of the train for simultaneously receiving the old ties and delivering the new ties while the ties are positioned transversely to the old track section.

Abstract: A method of loading and unloading an open top or gondola railroad car utilizes a mobile, wheeled apparatus having power actuated front and rear boom structures. A front supportive foot engageable with the upper surfaces of the railroad car sidewalls is connected to free ends of the front boom structure and similarly engageable rear supportive feet are connected to the ends of outrigger arms movable outwardly from the sides of the rear end of the mobile apparatus. The rear boom structure includes an articulated material engaging grapple for loading and unloading operations. During operation, the operator positions the mobile apparatus adjacent an end of the railroad car with the front boom raised and the front supportive foot engaged with the top surfaces of the car sidewalls.

Abstract: A loader system for agricultural trailer boxes wherein a self-propelled carriage is provided with wheels to be driven on beams placed atop trailer boxes. The carriage supports conveyors extending over lateral sides of the trailer and the conveyors feed a chute emptying into the trailer interior. The beams of each trailer box can be linearly connected so that the carriage may be driven for one trailer to a queued trailer over a bridge formed by joining beams.

Abstract: A mobile, wheeled apparatus is employed for loading and unloading an open top or gondola railroad car and has power actuated front and rear boom structures. A front supportive foot engageable with the upper surfaces of the railroad car sidewalls is connected to free ends of the front boom structure and similarly engageable rear supportive feet are connected to the ends of outrigger arms movable outwardly from the sides of the rear end of the mobile apparatus. The rear boom structure includes an articulated material engaging grapple for loading and unloading operations. During operation, the operator positions the mobile apparatus adjacent an end of the railroad car with the front boom raised and the front supportive foot engaged with the top surfaces of the car sidewalls.