Autonomously drivable vehicles, selectively controllable by on-board and remote controllers and capable of travel on both conventional railways and conventional roadways by virtue of bimodal wheel combinations of roadways wheels and railway wheels, the latter of slightly smaller radius than that of the former, are disclosed. Vehicle direction and speed are alternatively and selectively controlled by (1) an onboard vehicle controller (autonomous and/or personal) or (2) a remote controller (as in a locomotive or central rail network management system). In railway mode, direction is controlled by track-following railway wheels and movement is propelled either by an on-board motor or motors or by locomotive force supplied by a connected vehicle such as a conventional locomotive.

There is described a hi-rail device for mounting on a vehicle, comprising a linkage between an axle assembly for holding wheels and a mounting assembly. The linkage, pivotally connected to an upper pivot connection thereof, is foldable and unfoldable to translate the axle assembly relative to the upper pivot connection. An active suspension between the linkage and the mounting assembly is provided and comprises a suspension body to swivel about the mounting assembly, actuated by a spring proximally urging on the suspension body to provide the swivel. The suspension body comprising the upper connection to the linkage, which can move along with the suspension body to provide active suspension. Also, a locking pin, extending through the linkage, can be locked in a slot using a hydraulic cylinder, distinct from a hydraulic cylinder for deployment, and which comprises a spring for default locking not involving hydraulic power.

A system for a well car includes a frame, a hitch coupled to the frame near the first end of the frame, and a first deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a first pair of sockets located near a first end of the frame and a second pair of sockets located near a second end of the frame. Each socket of the first pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a first pair of support castings located at a first position along a length of a well car. Each socket of the second pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a second pair of support castings located at a second position along the length of the well car. The first deck is configured to hold wheels of a trailer when the trailer is coupled to the hitch.

A system for a well car includes a frame, a hitch coupled to the frame near the first end of the frame, and a first deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a first pair of sockets located near a first end of the frame and a second pair of sockets located near a second end of the frame. Each socket of the first pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a first pair of support castings located at a first position along a length of a well car. Each socket of the second pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a second pair of support castings located at a second position along the length of the well car. The first deck is configured to hold wheels of a trailer when the trailer is coupled to the hitch.

A hi-rail device for mounting on a vehicle, comprising a locking slot comprising a first locking end and a second locking end, and a locking pin movable in translation within the locking slot and captured therein. The locking slot which is continuous between the first locking end and the second locking end, thereby being confined between the first locking end and the second locking end. A linkage is provided, and is foldable and unfoldable to displace an axle assembly for holding wheels. A spring-extended locking cylinder extends from the linkage to the locking pin, comprising a locking spring to urge the locking pin into the respective abutting surface of any one of the first locking end and the second locking end when the locking pin is in any one of them, thereby using only spring force in extension to lock the linkage into either locking position.

A hi-rail device for mounting on a vehicle, comprising a locking slot comprising a first locking end and a second locking end, and a locking pin movable in translation within the locking slot and captured therein. The locking slot which is continuous between the first locking end and the second locking end, thereby being confined between the first locking end and the second locking end. A linkage is provided, and is foldable and unfoldable to displace an axle assembly for holding wheels. A spring-extended locking cylinder extends from the linkage to the locking pin, comprising a locking spring to urge the locking pin into the respective abutting surface of any one of the first locking end and the second locking end when the locking pin is in any one of them, thereby using only spring force in extension to lock the linkage into either locking position.

A wheel and brake disc apparatus of a vehicle includes a roadway wheel and a brake disc mounted rotatably to the vehicle, the roadway wheel and the brake disc arranged about an axis of rotation. The roadway wheel extends radially in relation to the axis of rotation to a wheel rim configured to hold a tire adapted to operate on a roadway surface. The brake disc is inboard of the roadway wheel and extends radially in relation to the axis of rotation to a brake disc rim. A brake caliper assembly mounted at a fixed location over the brake disc rim is configured to squeeze brake pads against the brake disc. The brake disc rim includes a tread configured to operate on a rail without interference from the brake caliper assembly.

A wheel and brake disc apparatus of a vehicle includes a roadway wheel and a brake disc mounted rotatably to the vehicle, the roadway wheel and the brake disc arranged about an axis of rotation. The roadway wheel extends radially in relation to the axis of rotation to a wheel rim configured to hold a tire adapted to operate on a roadway surface. The brake disc is inboard of the roadway wheel and extends radially in relation to the axis of rotation to a brake disc rim. A brake caliper assembly mounted at a fixed location over the brake disc rim is configured to squeeze brake pads against the brake disc. The brake disc rim includes a tread configured to operate on a rail without interference from the brake caliper assembly.

A system for a well car includes a frame, a hitch coupled to the frame near the first end of the frame, and a first deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a first pair of sockets located near a first end of the frame and a second pair of sockets located near a second end of the frame. Each socket of the first pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a first pair of support castings located at a first position along a length of a well car. Each socket of the second pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a second pair of support castings located at a second position along the length of the well car. The first deck is configured to hold wheels of a trailer when the trailer is coupled to the hitch.

A system for a well car includes a frame, a hitch coupled to the frame near the first end of the frame, and a first deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a first pair of sockets located near a first end of the frame and a second pair of sockets located near a second end of the frame. Each socket of the first pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a first pair of support castings located at a first position along a length of a well car. Each socket of the second pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a second pair of support castings located at a second position along the length of the well car. The first deck is configured to hold wheels of a trailer when the trailer is coupled to the hitch.