A dual-mode, adjustable wheel-span vehicle includes at least two pairs of rail wheels for use on rails, wherein some or all of the at least two pairs of rail wheels are adjustable in a distance between a pair of the rail wheels such that the at least two pairs of rail wheels can work with different rail gauges; a mechanism for adjusting a span of the at least two pairs of rail wheels; and at least two pairs of tire wheels for regular roadways. A transportation system for the vehicles includes a rail freeway network having electric power supply lines, sensors to get local information, signals to show system status, and a central computer for system controls; and a plurality of entry and exit ramps for the vehicles to enter or exit the rail freeway network, wherein the entry and exit ramps includes an overhead and/or underneath ramp.

A track rail fastening system includes a direct fixation fastener assembly having a direct fixation fastener, and a laterally elongated support block. Fastener holes for receiving fastener-clamping fasteners, and fastener holes for receiving bracket-clamping fasteners, are formed in the support block. The respective sets of fastener holes are arranged in different anchor patterns. Fastener-clamping fasteners are received in one of the sets of fastener holes and claim direct fixation fastener to the support block. Bracket-clamping fasteners clamp a third-rail support bracket to the support block, and are received in one of the sets of fastener holes. The third-rail support bracket is cantilevered to the support block.

A track rail fastening system includes a direct fixation fastener assembly having a direct fixation fastener, and a laterally elongated support block. Fastener holes for receiving fastener-clamping fasteners, and fastener holes for receiving bracket-clamping fasteners, are formed in the support block. The respective sets of fastener holes are arranged in different anchor patterns. Fastener-clamping fasteners are received in one of the sets of fastener holes and claim direct fixation fastener to the support block. Bracket-clamping fasteners clamp a third-rail support bracket to the support block, and are received in one of the sets of fastener holes. The third-rail support bracket is cantilevered to the support block.

There is disclosed a railway geogrid construction suitable for use with high speed trains to mitigate the increased impact of Rayleigh waves generated at high speed and/or over soft subgrades, the construction comprising: a track bed (e.g. having rails for a train) which defines a track located on a track plane; a mass of particulate material (e.g. aggregate) forming a layer located beneath the track plane; and a geogrid located in and/or below the particulate mass in a plane (geogrid plane) substantially parallel to the track plane where the average distance between the track plane and geogrid plane, measured perpendicular to both is greater than 0.65 metres.

There is disclosed a railway geogrid construction suitable for use with high speed trains to mitigate the increased impact of Rayleigh waves generated at high speed and/or over soft subgrades, the construction comprising: a track bed (e.g. having rails for a train) which defines a track located on a track plane; a mass of particulate material (e.g. aggregate) forming a layer located beneath the track plane; and a geogrid located in and/or below the particulate mass in a plane (geogrid plane) substantially parallel to the track plane where the average distance between the track plane and geogrid plane, measured perpendicular to both is greater than 0.65 metres.

An interface pad for a concrete tie includes a resilient contact pad to cushion the tie from any overlying parts in a railway application, such as panels in a grade crossing or rails in a turnout. The pad may be flat or a cupped shape and may be of varying size to accommodate varying tie widths. The invention further comprises means and methods to correctly secure such an interface pad to a concrete railroad tie and minimize the possibility that the interface pad will be forcibly removed from the tie during installation of the tie.

An interface pad for a concrete tie includes a resilient contact pad to cushion the tie from any overlying parts in a railway application, such as panels in a grade crossing or rails in a turnout. The pad may be flat or a cupped shape and may be of varying size to accommodate varying tie widths. The invention further comprises means and methods to correctly secure such an interface pad to a concrete railroad tie and minimize the possibility that the interface pad will be forcibly removed from the tie during installation of the tie.

A wind, snow and sand protecting device (1) for railways, comprising a base part (2a, 2b) arranged to be releasably fixed adjacent to at least one side of a track rail (3) or directly to the track rail, and a barrier holder (14), to which a barrier (15) is mountable, wherein said base part (2a, 2b) and the barrier holder (14) are interconnectable by means of a hinged joint (19) such that the barrier holder (14) is pivotable relative the base part (2a, 2b). The hinged joint (19) comprises a male connector (16) integrated with one of the base part (2a, 2b) and the barrier holder (14) and a female connector (9) integrated with the other of the base part (2a, 2b) and the barrier holder (14).

A special trackwork assembly including a special trackwork body formed to support wheels of a train moving over a running surface portion of an exterior surface of the special trackwork body that generate traffic-related vibrations of the special trackwork body having one or more frequencies of interest. The special trackwork assembly also includes one or more tuned mass dampers secured to the special trackwork body and formed to vibrate, in response to the traffic-related vibrations of the special trackwork body, at the frequency of interest, to at least partially dampen the traffic-related vibrations of the special trackwork body.

A special trackwork assembly including a special trackwork body formed to support wheels of a train moving over a running surface portion of an exterior surface of the special trackwork body that generate traffic-related vibrations of the special trackwork body having one or more frequencies of interest. The special trackwork assembly also includes one or more tuned mass dampers secured to the special trackwork body and formed to vibrate, in response to the traffic-related vibrations of the special trackwork body, at the frequency of interest, to at least partially dampen the traffic-related vibrations of the special trackwork body.