Modifying railcar embodiments convert the dead weight of empty railcars to productive use. Battery embodiments are charged by regenerative brakes, solar panels, and wind turbines. Freight car wheels, have a plurality of regenerative brakes. A plurality of airfoils, with solar panels, are installed on shipping containers, to counteract drag created by a plurality of wind turbines. Railcar embodiments are used in a mix and match fashion, as desired. Storage battery banks, are shipped and/or charged to replace existing hazardous transmission lines. Storage battery banks, are shipped and/or charged to avoid constructing new transmission lines for solar or wind farms. Factory installed EV batteries, EV batteries, and/or other rechargeable batteries, are shipped and/or charged. After battery embodiment charging is complete, power generated is diverted to train engines. Provisions are made for embodiments not connected to train engines. Embodiment operations are monitored with data displays.

An apparatus for harnessing energy from a wheel travelling on a railroad track includes an elongate body with a plurality of pockets spaced apart along a top surface thereof. Energy collection devices are installed in the pockets, and each includes an actuator extending proud of the top surface. A mounting assembly releasably mounts the body adjacent to the railroad track so that the actuators of the energy collection devices are positioned in a path of the wheel to be actuated thereby. The energy collection devices may be coupled to a low pressure fluid supply reservoir and a high pressure fluid accumulator, and used to pump fluid from the reservoir to the accumulator upon actuation.

An apparatus for harnessing energy from a wheel travelling on a railroad track includes an elongate body with a plurality of pockets spaced apart along a top surface thereof. Energy collection devices are installed in the pockets, and each includes an actuator extending proud of the top surface. A mounting assembly releasably mounts the body adjacent to the railroad track so that the actuators of the energy collection devices are positioned in a path of the wheel to be actuated thereby. The energy collection devices may be coupled to a low pressure fluid supply reservoir and a high pressure fluid accumulator, and used to pump fluid from the reservoir to the accumulator upon actuation.

A device for communicating and monitoring railway tracks includes a plurality of communicating and monitoring terminals arranged along the tracks. Each of the terminals includes an image-capturing module, a wireless communicating module that allows for communication between the terminals and with a train, and a module for storing electrical power continuously supplying the image-capturing module and the communicating module. Each terminal also includes a power-generating module for supplying the module for storing electrical power. The power generating module recovers energy from the air displaced by the train running over the railway track. The device permits permanent monitoring by capturing images and makes permanent wireless connections available to the trains.

A device for communicating and monitoring railway tracks includes a plurality of communicating and monitoring terminals arranged along the tracks. Each of the terminals includes an image-capturing module, a wireless communicating module that allows for communication between the terminals and with a train, and a module for storing electrical power continuously supplying the image-capturing module and the communicating module. Each terminal also includes a power-generating module for supplying the module for storing electrical power. The power generating module recovers energy from the air displaced by the train running over the railway track. The device permits permanent monitoring by capturing images and makes permanent wireless connections available to the trains.

The invention relates to an energy supply (11) for supplying an energy consumer with electrical energy. The energy supply (11) comprises a mounting device (20) as well as a battery (29), a charger device (30) and a load connection (33). The energy supply (11) also comprises an energy connection for connecting an energy source, and an energy converter (31) for converting the energy received at the energy connection into a form of electrical energy which is suitable for charging the battery (29). The energy which is stored in the battery (29) can then be made available at the load connection (33) for supplying one or more energy consumers which are connected thereto. The mounting device (20) is provided here with connecting devices (23, 24) which are compatible with those attachment devices with which corresponding transportation containers can usually be connected to a transportation vehicle. It is therefore possible to arrange such an energy supply (11) for transporting a transportation container between the latter and the appropriate transportation vehicle, wherein for example the kinetic energy of the moved transportation vehicle can be utilised for the charging of the battery (29) in that e.g. the rotation of the wheel axle of the vehicle is converted into electrical energy with a hydraulic generator.

The invention provides a bracket for mounting external equipment to the underside of rolling stock, the bracket comprising first and second plates, and at least one joining member disposed between the first and second plates; wherein the joining member(s) are joined to the first plate by a plurality of joints and joined to the second plate by a plurality of joints. The invention also provides a rolling stock assembly comprising a bracket, a method for mounting external equipment to an underside of rolling stock, and a method for manufacturing a bracket for mounting external equipment to the underside of rolling stock.

The invention provides a bracket for mounting external equipment to the underside of rolling stock, the bracket comprising first and second plates, and at least one joining member disposed between the first and second plates; wherein the joining member(s) are joined to the first plate by a plurality of joints and joined to the second plate by a plurality of joints. The invention also provides a rolling stock assembly comprising a bracket, a method for mounting external equipment to an underside of rolling stock, and a method for manufacturing a bracket for mounting external equipment to the underside of rolling stock.

A railway car fitted with an induction generator comprising magnets and electrical conductors for generating electricity, comprising a chassis comprising at least one axle with two wheels, wherein the axle is mounted in two bearings located near the two sides of the railway car, wherein the wheels are located on the outer side of the bearings, and wherein the generator comprises a rotor and a substantially cylindrical stator, which stator extends concentrically around the rotor, wherein the rotor is fixedly mounted around and on the axle, wherein the stator is mounted to the inner side of one of the bearings, in axial abutment therewith.

A railway car fitted with an induction generator comprising magnets and electrical conductors for generating electricity, comprising a chassis comprising at least one axle with two wheels, wherein the axle is mounted in two bearings located near the two sides of the railway car, wherein the wheels are located on the outer side of the bearings, and wherein the generator comprises a rotor and a substantially cylindrical stator, which stator extends concentrically around the rotor, wherein the rotor is fixedly mounted around and on the axle, wherein the stator is mounted to the inner side of one of the bearings, in axial abutment therewith.