Described is a multi-mode transportation system with roads and monorails, and vehicles that can transform to travel on either roads, or monorails, or on both simultaneously. Vehicles move in mode 1 on the roads using road wheels that roll over pavement. Vehicles in mode 2 move on the monorails and are supported by rail wheels in contact with a top of a monorail. In mode 2, the vehicle is supported by side cylinders that stabilize the vehicle on the monorail. Vehicles move in mode 3 with support from both roads and monorails simultaneously. Monorail mount locations simplify the vehicle's transition between modes. Pivoting or other mechanisms for road wheels, rail wheels, or side cylinders facilitate vehicle design. The vehicle can optionally be connected to the Internet, and be part of a traffic control system or operate autonomously. Small scale models or computer models of these vehicle can be used as toys, for product development, prototyping, animation, competitive games, entertainment, or for education.

A vehicle frame assembly includes a frame bar extending between first and second ends along a first axis. The first end is coupled with a first guide assembly, and the second end of the frame bar is coupled with a second guide assembly. First and second housings are coupled with a frame of a vehicle system. A first actuator system extends between the first housing and the frame bar, and a second actuator system is extends between the second housing and the frame bar. The first and second actuator systems control rotational movement of the frame bar between first and second directions of rotation. Rotating the frame bar in the first direction of rotation moves an axle away from a route, and rotating the frame bar in the second direction of rotation moves the axle toward the route.

A truck trailer system including a connector vehicle with retractable wheels that are designed to engage with a railroad track is provided. The connector vehicle includes main wheels and at least one pair of secondary wheels, and an actuator assembly operably connected to the pair of secondary wheels. The actuator assembly is designed to actuate in a first direction to extend the pair of secondary wheels to engage with the railroad track, and in a second direction to retract the pair of secondary wheels to disengage with the railroad track. The truck trailer system may include a reinforcement assembly comprising at least one cable provided within a conduit, for connecting multiple units to be pulled at the same time via truck or locomotive. In embodiments, the reinforcement assembly may enable hauling of at least 10, or up to about 50 units via a single locomotive.

A truck trailer system including a connector vehicle with retractable wheels that are designed to engage with a railroad track is provided. The connector vehicle includes main wheels and at least one pair of secondary wheels, and an actuator assembly operably connected to the pair of secondary wheels. The actuator assembly is designed to actuate in a first direction to extend the pair of secondary wheels to engage with the railroad track, and in a second direction to retract the pair of secondary wheels to disengage with the railroad track. The truck trailer system may include a reinforcement assembly comprising at least one cable provided within a conduit, for connecting multiple units to be pulled at the same time via truck or locomotive. In embodiments, the reinforcement assembly may enable hauling of at least 10, or up to about 50 units via a single locomotive.

A railroad trailer chassis comprising two or more road axles, two or more rail axles operable to be moved between first and second positions, and a work unit. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a road mode when the two or rail axles are in their respective first positions. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a rail mode when the two or more rail axles are in their respective second positions. The work unit is operable to perform one or more railroad maintenance or operation functions when driven in the rail mode.

A railroad trailer chassis comprising two or more road axles, two or more rail axles operable to be moved between first and second positions, and a work unit. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a road mode when the two or rail axles are in their respective first positions. The railroad trailer chassis is operable to be driven or towed in a rail mode when the two or more rail axles are in their respective second positions. The work unit is operable to perform one or more railroad maintenance or operation functions when driven in the rail mode.

A lifter assembly includes a base having a top and a bottom surface. Connectors are attached to the base extending outwardly from the bottom surface. Each of the connectors includes at least one rail wheel rotatably attached thereto. The base includes traveling wheels rotatably attached thereto. A post is attached to the base extending outwardly from the top surface to a distal end. An arm is disposed on the distal end, rotatably attached to the post, extending outwardly to a terminal end. A support is movably attached to the arm and extends outwardly to a support end. A trolley is slidably disposed on the arm and movable along the arm between the terminal end and the post. Each of the traveling wheels includes a leg pivotably attached to the base connecting the traveling wheel to the base and move the traveling wheel between a transport and a storage position.

Disclosed are various embodiments for rear railgear, pivot links, and pin-off systems. An example assembly including railgear, an attachment frame, a mounting bracket, upper and lower links is provided. The rail gear includes a pair of guidewheels, an axle, and an axle saddle; the attachment frame can connect to the axle saddle of the railgear; the mounting bracket is configured to attach to a vehicle; the upper link pivotably connected to the mounting bracket; and the lower link pivotably connected to the attachment frame, where the lower link is connected to the upper link via a pivot pin. The railgear can be secured in either the deployed or stowed position using various interchangeable pin-off systems, including but not limited to: a manual pin-off system, an air operated pin-off system, and a cable pin-off system. The railgear can also be secured in the stowed position using an automatic mechanical lock system.

Disclosed are various embodiments for an automatic locking system for railgear. In an embodiment, the automatic locking system for railgear is an automatic mechanical locking system that can be incorporated into a front guide railgear assembly for use with conventional roadway vehicles. The automatic locking system can secure the railgear in a fixed orientation, either deployed for rail travel using the guide wheels of the railgear on rail tracks or stowed for highway travel such that the vehicle can operate using the conventional tires on a road, highway, and the like.

The present disclosure discloses a road-rail dual-purpose vehicle, comprising a vehicle frame (1), and a lifting airbag mounting seat (1c) is provided between two longitudinal beams (1a) of the vehicle frame (1); a load-bearing airbag insertion hole is formed in a lower cover plate (1a1) of the longitudinal beam (1a); a load-bearing airbag mounting seat (1d) is installed in the load-bearing airbag insertion hole, and a bearing bolster (1e) is installed on an outer side of the longitudinal beam (1a). A suspension (2) comprises an axle assembly (2a); a lifting airbag (2b) is installed in a middle portion of a front end of the axle assembly (2a); both sides of the rear end of the axle assembly (2a) are provided with primary load-bearing airbags (2c); and the two primary load-bearing airbags (2c) are respectively provided with the secondary load-bearing airbags (2c); the lifting airbag (2b) is installed on the lifting airbag mounting seat (1c), and the secondary load-bearing airbag (2e) is installed in the load-bearing airbag mounting seat (1d). The single-axle bogie (3) comprises a framework (3a), and both ends of the framework (3a) are provided with axle boxes (3b); a primary damping spring assembly (3d) is provided between the axle boxes (3b) and the vehicle frame (1); and a vehicle frame connection assembly (3f) is provided on both ends of the top surface of the framework (3a) respectively; the framework (3a) is installed on the bottom surface of the bearing bolster (1e) through the vehicle frame connection assembly (3f). The road-rail dual-purpose vehicle is suitable for transportation.