In at least one embodiment the present invention provides a transverse rail switching element for switching a rail vehicle from a first position to a transversely removed second position in a thrilling manner, having an entry track section, a vehicle shuttle adapted to receive a rail vehicle from the entry track section at the first position, a transverse track section extending from the first position to the transversely removed second position, at least one exit track section, primary propulsion means adapted to translate the rail vehicle from the vehicle shuttle to the at least one exit track section when the vehicle shuttle is in the transversely removed second position.

In at least one embodiment the present invention provides a transverse rail switching element for switching a rail vehicle from a first position to a transversely removed second position in a thrilling manner, having an entry track section, a vehicle shuttle adapted to receive a rail vehicle from the entry track section at the first position, a transverse track section extending from the first position to the transversely removed second position, at least one exit track section, primary propulsion means adapted to translate the rail vehicle from the vehicle shuttle to the at least one exit track section when the vehicle shuttle is in the transversely removed second position.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for changing a traction motor and a wheel assembly out of a locomotive. The apparatus is suitable for use in the field. The apparatus comprises: (i) a frame that is dimensioned to fit under the locomotive and within a railroad track; (ii) a wheel-assembly-support system that is configured to support the wheel assembly such that the wheel assembly is clear of the track; (iii) a traction-motor-positioning system that is operable to position the traction motor with respect to the locomotive; and (iv) a drive assembly that is configured to drive the fame, the wheel-assembly-support system, and the traction-motor-positioning system under the locomotive in a reversible manner. The wheel-assembly-support system, the traction-motor-positioning system, and/or the drive assembly is/are operable by way of a remote control. Methods of changing a traction motor and/or wheel assembly out of a locomotive on a track are also provided.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for changing a traction motor and a wheel assembly out of a locomotive. The apparatus is suitable for use in the field. The apparatus comprises: (i) a frame that is dimensioned to fit under the locomotive and within a railroad track; (ii) a wheel-assembly-support system that is configured to support the wheel assembly such that the wheel assembly is clear of the track; (iii) a traction-motor-positioning system that is operable to position the traction motor with respect to the locomotive; and (iv) a drive assembly that is configured to drive the fame, the wheel-assembly-support system, and the traction-motor-positioning system under the locomotive in a reversible manner. The wheel-assembly-support system, the traction-motor-positioning system, and/or the drive assembly is/are operable by way of a remote control. Methods of changing a traction motor and/or wheel assembly out of a locomotive on a track are also provided.

A shock strut for a vehicle includes a housing with a through channel and a motor mount, and a motor fixed to the housing. The cylinder of a shock strut is configured to define a lead screw on its outer surface. The cylinder extends through the housing. The piston of the shock strut is attached to a ground engaging assembly. A gear nut rotatably mounted in the housing threadably engages the threaded cylinder, and is configured to be driven by the motor. The housing is attached to the vehicle, and the gear nut is controllably rotated to extend and retract the shock strut. A sensor provided on the assembly monitors the position of the shock strut. A torsion link assembly reacts rotational forces on the cylinder.

A drone with railway driving capabilities has a drone body and at propeller arms. Each propeller arm has a propeller assembly having a propeller driven by a motor assembly. The propeller assembly of at least one propeller arm has a rotatably mounted propeller guard placed coaxially with the propeller. The propeller guard is shaped as a train wheel and is driven by the motor assembly. The propeller arm has an actuated joint for providing the propeller assembly with at least one rotation degree of freedom so that the propeller can be rotated between a flight mode and a driving mode and back. The flight mode involves a more horizontal orientation of the propeller assembly for providing an upwardly directed thrust force to the drone, in operational use, and the driving mode involves a more vertical orientation of the propeller assembly for allowing the respective propeller guard to drive on the railway track.

A drone with railway driving capabilities has a drone body and at propeller arms. Each propeller arm has a propeller assembly having a propeller driven by a motor assembly. The propeller assembly of at least one propeller arm has a rotatably mounted propeller guard placed coaxially with the propeller. The propeller guard is shaped as a train wheel and is driven by the motor assembly. The propeller arm has an actuated joint for providing the propeller assembly with at least one rotation degree of freedom so that the propeller can be rotated between a flight mode and a driving mode and back. The flight mode involves a more horizontal orientation of the propeller assembly for providing an upwardly directed thrust force to the drone, in operational use, and the driving mode involves a more vertical orientation of the propeller assembly for allowing the respective propeller guard to drive on the railway track.

Railway traction vehicle with eight traction wheels, provided with two bogies each with a rubber wheel axle with two rubber wheels and a rail wheel axle with two steel rail wheels each pivoting around a swing axle fixed to a supporting framework, whereby the swing axle is positioned asymmetrically on the connecting line between the rail wheel axle and the rubber wheel axle with the ratio between the downward force on the rail wheel axle and the rubber wheel axle being actively controlled by increasing or decreasing the downward force on the rubber wheel axle and decreasing or increasing the downward force on the rail wheel axle.

Railway traction vehicle with eight traction wheels, provided with two bogies each with a rubber wheel axle with two rubber wheels and a rail wheel axle with two steel rail wheels each pivoting around a swing axle fixed to a supporting framework, whereby the swing axle is positioned asymmetrically on the connecting line between the rail wheel axle and the rubber wheel axle with the ratio between the downward force on the rail wheel axle and the rubber wheel axle being actively controlled by increasing or decreasing the downward force on the rubber wheel axle and decreasing or increasing the downward force on the rail wheel axle.

The present disclosure provides a bogie, a rail vehicle having same, and a rail transport system. The bogie includes: a bogie frame, where the bogie frame has a straddle recess straddling a rail; a first running wheel and a second running wheel, where the first running wheel and the second running wheel are pivotably mounted onto the bogie frame respectively and are coaxially spaced apart; a third running wheel and a fourth running wheel, where the third running wheel and the fourth running wheel are pivotably mounted onto the bogie frame respectively and are coaxially spaced apart; a driving device, where the driving device is located between the first running wheel and the second running wheel, and the first running wheel and the second running wheel are driven by the driving device; and/or the driving device is located between the third running wheel and the fourth running wheel, and the third running wheel and the fourth running wheel are driven by the driving device. The bogie according to this embodiment of the present disclosure facilitates optimization of the structure of an escape passage, and has advantages such as high space utilization, high stability, and strong weight bearing capability.