A train system has a locomotive traveling at a controlled speed on a main track, with passenger cars capable of locomotion and of automatic coupling and decoupling, forming a train on the main track. Appropriate passenger cars are decoupled and switched onto a side track at stations to unload passengers while the rest of the train passes the stations without stopping. Passenger cars loaded with passengers at these stations are then deployed to couple-up with the train after it has passed the station. This combines local service with express service. Operation in most cases is guided by a central computer system.

A railway car air brake hose support bracket has an upper portion with first and second attachment members, a lower portion and an air hose connector. The first attachment member enters into and engages a portion of an accessible compartment of an uncoupling mechanism housing below the coupler head, and the second attachment member is secured to an air brake hose support lug of the railway car coupler. The air brake hose connector engages an air brake hose assembly and suspends this hose assembly from the railway coupler at a predetermined distance above the rail bed. A method of installing the hose support bracket includes positioning the first and second attachment members, securing them in place, and attaching one or more railway brake hose units to the air hose connector, either before or after this positioning and securing of the upper portion of the bracket.

A transport vehicle includes a container for receiving bulk material which is disposed on a vehicle frame and is pivoted, together with a bottom conveyor belt and a third conveyor belt, relative to the vehicle frame about a pivot axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle in order to maintain a horizontal conveying plane, relative to a transverse direction of the vehicle, for the bottom conveyor belt and the third conveyor belt, independently of a transverse inclination of the track. Thus, a problem-free bulk material transport is possible even in the event of a transverse inclination of the track. A method of loading and unloading a transport vehicle which is mobile on a track is also provided.

A loading train (1) consists of at least two loading wagons (2, 3) for transporting and storing bulk material, each having a wagon frame (5) supported on on-track undercarriages (4), a storage box (6) with a bottom conveyor belt (8) which is situated in the bottom region of the storage box and extends in the longitudinal direction (7) of the wagon, and a pivotable transfer conveyor belt (9) adjoining the bottom conveyor belt (8) and projecting beyond the wagon frame (5). A tilt protection device (11) is provided between the front-most, first loading wagon (3)with regard to a transport direction (10) of the bottom conveyor belt (8)and the following, second loading wagon (2). The tilt protection device (11) is designed for contacting the rearward wagon frame end of the first loading wagon (3) in order to block an upward movement of the wagon frame (5).

A loading train (1) consists of at least two loading wagons (2, 3) for transporting and storing bulk material, each having a wagon frame (5) supported on on-track undercarriages (4), a storage box (6) with a bottom conveyor belt (8) which is situated in the bottom region of the storage box and extends in the longitudinal direction (7) of the wagon, and a pivotable transfer conveyor belt (9) adjoining the bottom conveyor belt (8) and projecting beyond the wagon frame (5). A tilt protection device (11) is provided between the front-most, first loading wagon (3)with regard to a transport direction (10) of the bottom conveyor belt (8)and the following, second loading wagon (2). The tilt protection device (11) is designed for contacting the rearward wagon frame end of the first loading wagon (3) in order to block an upward movement of the wagon frame (5).

A railcar coupling aid is provided to link a sequentially aligned pair of railcars having unactuated couplers so that such couplers may become engaged on a portion of rail more conducive to their actuation or so that such couplers may be serviced at a more convenient location along the rail. It may comprise a first and second length of rugged and flexible material spaced apart by a first and second crossed portion of such material. The crossed portions define a space configured to receive both of a pair of opposing coupler draw heads therethrough. When the net is draped over the opposing draw heads, each of the first and second lengths may be secured to themselves around one each of the coupler's draw shafts. Thus, each railcar may be at least temporarily linked to one another in a manner that avoids risking injury to railworker limbs.

A railcar coupling aid is provided to link a sequentially aligned pair of railcars having unactuated couplers so that such couplers may become engaged on a portion of rail more conducive to their actuation or so that such couplers may be serviced at a more convenient location along the rail. It may comprise a first and second length of rugged and flexible material spaced apart by a first and second crossed portion of such material. The crossed portions define a space configured to receive both of a pair of opposing coupler draw heads therethrough. When the net is draped over the opposing draw heads, each of the first and second lengths may be secured to themselves around one each of the coupler's draw shafts. Thus, each railcar may be at least temporarily linked to one another in a manner that avoids risking injury to railworker limbs.

A block, towing system, and a method for towing rail cars is provided. The block includes a first channel, a second channel, a third channel and a fourth channel. The first channel is located on a first side of the block. The second channel is located adjacent to the first channel on the first side of the block. The third channel is located on an opposite side of the block from the first channel. The fourth channel is located adjacent to the third channel on the opposite side of the block from the second channel.

A loading train has at least two loading wagons for transporting and storing bulk material. The loading wagons each have a wagon frame supported on on-track undercarriages, a storage box with a bottom conveyor belt which is situated in the bottom region of the storage box and extends in the longitudinal direction of the wagon, and a pivotable transfer conveyor belt adjoining the bottom conveyor belt and projecting beyond the wagon frame. A tilt protection device is provided between the front-most, first loading wagon with regard to a transport direction of the bottom conveyor belt, and the following, second loading wagon. The tilt protection device is configured for contacting the rearward wagon frame end of the first loading wagon in order to block an upward movement of the wagon frame.

A loading train has at least two loading wagons for transporting and storing bulk material. The loading wagons each have a wagon frame supported on on-track undercarriages, a storage box with a bottom conveyor belt which is situated in the bottom region of the storage box and extends in the longitudinal direction of the wagon, and a pivotable transfer conveyor belt adjoining the bottom conveyor belt and projecting beyond the wagon frame. A tilt protection device is provided between the front-most, first loading wagon with regard to a transport direction of the bottom conveyor belt, and the following, second loading wagon. The tilt protection device is configured for contacting the rearward wagon frame end of the first loading wagon in order to block an upward movement of the wagon frame.