A method for manufacturing a multiple axle railcar utilizing a non-stressed span bolster is disclosed. The span bolster supports the load of the railcar using camber to efficiently distribute the load from the railcar among the truck assemblies and axles. The manufacturing method discloses the fabrication and layout of a span bolster where non-stressed camber is incorporated into the structural elements of the span bolster. The camber is produced geometrically by parallelogram shaped plates supporting the weight of the railcar. The amount of camber may be modified for different load ratings. The railcar and span bolster are constructed of alloy steel to minimize railcar tare weight and maximize load capacity.

A steering mechanism for a rail vehicle includes two steering arms, each including a pair of support arms that have a joining component with a recess. The two steering arms are articulated in a manner that maintains a minimum separation between the steering arms so that the arms can rotate relative to one another. The minimum separation is maintained by an insert that installs into the joining component recesses components of each of the steering arms. The insert has two sides, each side having a flexible material and forming a shape that mates with the recess. The insert provides resistance to the rotation between the first and second steering arms, and the resistance depends on the stiffness of the flexible material of the insert.

An acceleration monitoring device that comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires measured acceleration waveforms, being acceleration waveforms measured by a vehicle that is traveling a trajectory; a storage unit that stores a reference acceleration waveform, being an acceleration waveform that serves as a reference for measured acceleration waveforms for a predetermined area of interest that is part of the trajectory; and a monitoring unit that monitors the acceleration values for non-linear expanded/contracted and measured acceleration waveforms, being acceleration waveforms made to correspond to the reference acceleration waveform by non-linearly expanding and contracting the time axis for measured acceleration waveforms.

An acceleration monitoring device that comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires measured acceleration waveforms, being acceleration waveforms measured by a vehicle that is traveling a trajectory; a storage unit that stores a reference acceleration waveform, being an acceleration waveform that serves as a reference for measured acceleration waveforms for a predetermined area of interest that is part of the trajectory; and a monitoring unit that monitors the acceleration values for non-linear expanded/contracted and measured acceleration waveforms, being acceleration waveforms made to correspond to the reference acceleration waveform by non-linearly expanding and contracting the time axis for measured acceleration waveforms.

A protective cover for a truck assembly of a railcar comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The first end portion is molded to fit over a first section of the truck assembly. The second end portion is molded to fit over a second section of the truck assembly. The middle portion is molded to fit over a middle section of the truck assembly. The first end portion and the middle portion are coupled to one another using at least one fastener. The second end portion and the middle portion are coupled to one another using at least one fastener. The first end portion, the second end portion, and the middle portion are molded such that when coupled together, the protective cover corresponds to a frame structure of the truck assembly.

A protective cover for a truck assembly of a railcar comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion. The first end portion is molded to fit over a first section of the truck assembly. The second end portion is molded to fit over a second section of the truck assembly. The middle portion is molded to fit over a middle section of the truck assembly. The first end portion and the middle portion are coupled to one another using at least one fastener. The second end portion and the middle portion are coupled to one another using at least one fastener. The first end portion, the second end portion, and the middle portion are molded such that when coupled together, the protective cover corresponds to a frame structure of the truck assembly.

A railcar truck and adapter pad system for placement between a roller bearing and side frame pedestal roof of a three-piece railcar truck. Many different features of the pad and/or the adapter-pad interface are configured to improve stiffness characteristics to satisfy both curving and high speed performance of the railcar truck.

A railcar truck and adapter pad system for placement between a roller bearing and side frame pedestal roof of a three-piece railcar truck. Many different features of the pad and/or the adapter-pad interface are configured to improve stiffness characteristics to satisfy both curving and high speed performance of the railcar truck.

A steering mechanism for a rail vehicle includes two steering arms, each including a pair of support arms that have a joining component with a recess. The two steering arms are articulated in a manner that maintains a minimum separation between the steering arms so that the arms can rotate relative to one another. The minimum separation is maintained by an insert that installs into the joining component recesses components of each of the steering arms. The insert has two sides, each side having a flexible material and forming a shape that mates with the recess. The insert provides resistance to the rotation between the first and second steering arms, and the resistance depends on the stiffness of the flexible material of the insert.

The present disclosure discloses a rail vehicle. The rail vehicle includes: a plurality of bogies, where the bogie has a straddle recess suitable for straddling a rail; and a vehicle body, where the vehicle body is connected to the plurality of bogies and pulled by the plurality of bogies to travel along the rail, and the vehicle body includes a plurality of compartments hinged sequentially along a length direction of the rail; at least one bogie is disposed on one of the bottom of each of the compartments and a hinging position of neighboring compartments; and in the length direction of the rail, a surface that is of a compartment at at least one end of the vehicle body and that faces away from an adjacent compartment is provided with an escape door that can be opened and closed. The rail vehicle according to this embodiment of the present disclosure facilitates optimization of the structure of an escape passage, reduction in costs, reduction in occupied space and the weight borne by the rail, and improvement in stability, and is high in stability of supporting the vehicle body and large in passenger capacity.