A rail vehicle includes a chassis, a vehicle structure and a support unit disposed at the end face of the rail vehicle. The vehicle is comparatively lightweight and economical and can also advantageously perform other tasks in addition to supporting a track reamer. The support unit includes a plateau section which is part of the vehicle structure and includes a climbing protection device on its end face and a track reamer holder for supporting a track reamer. The track reamer holder is disposed below the plateau section and is rigidly secured thereto.

A rail vehicle includes a chassis, a vehicle structure and a support unit disposed at the end face of the rail vehicle. The vehicle is comparatively lightweight and economical and can also advantageously perform other tasks in addition to supporting a track reamer. The support unit includes a plateau section which is part of the vehicle structure and includes a climbing protection device on its end face and a track reamer holder for supporting a track reamer. The track reamer holder is disposed below the plateau section and is rigidly secured thereto.

A chassis end plate assembly of a railway vehicle is provided, which includes an end plate; a bottom beam arranged at an inner side of a lower edge of the end plate, curved beams arranged at inner sides of two sides of the end plate, a buffer beam located above the end plate; and a reinforcing beam longitudinally arranged between the buffer beam and the bottom beam. The end plate assembly can increase the rigidity of an end portion of the vehicle and improve the vibration mode. The end plate assembly can be combined with an under-vehicle active device compartment so as to form an enclosed space, which may protect pipelines and devices under the vehicle. A railway vehicle provided with the chassis end plate assembly is further provided.

A chassis end plate assembly of a railway vehicle is provided, which includes an end plate; a bottom beam arranged at an inner side of a lower edge of the end plate, curved beams arranged at inner sides of two sides of the end plate, a buffer beam located above the end plate; and a reinforcing beam longitudinally arranged between the buffer beam and the bottom beam. The end plate assembly can increase the rigidity of an end portion of the vehicle and improve the vibration mode. The end plate assembly can be combined with an under-vehicle active device compartment so as to form an enclosed space, which may protect pipelines and devices under the vehicle. A railway vehicle provided with the chassis end plate assembly is further provided.

A chassis end plate assembly of a railway vehicle is provided, which includes an end plate; a bottom beam arranged at an inner side of a lower edge of the end plate, curved beams arranged at inner sides of two sides of the end plate, a buffer beam located above the end plate; and a reinforcing beam longitudinally arranged between the buffer beam and the bottom beam. The end plate assembly can increase the rigidity of an end portion of the vehicle and improve the vibration mode. The end plate assembly can be combined with an under-vehicle active device compartment so as to form an enclosed space, which may protect pipelines and devices under the vehicle. A railway vehicle provided with the chassis end plate assembly is further provided.

A chassis end plate assembly of a railway vehicle is provided, which includes an end plate; a bottom beam arranged at an inner side of a lower edge of the end plate, curved beams arranged at inner sides of two sides of the end plate, a buffer beam located above the end plate; and a reinforcing beam longitudinally arranged between the buffer beam and the bottom beam. The end plate assembly can increase the rigidity of an end portion of the vehicle and improve the vibration mode. The end plate assembly can be combined with an under-vehicle active device compartment so as to form an enclosed space, which may protect pipelines and devices under the vehicle. A railway vehicle provided with the chassis end plate assembly is further provided.

A carbody of a railcar includes: an underframe; a first member provided at one of vertical sides of a vertical center of the underframe, supported by the underframe, and absorbing collision energy; a second member provided at the other vertical side of the vertical center of the underframe, supported by the underframe, and contacting an obstacle when the first member is compressed by collision with the obstacle. In a case where the second member receives a reaction force from the obstacle when the first member is compressed by the collision with the obstacle, the second member transfers to the underframe a moment load that is opposite in a rotational direction to a moment load transferred to the underframe by the first member.

A carbody of a railcar includes: an underframe; a first member provided at one of vertical sides of a vertical center of the underframe, supported by the underframe, and absorbing collision energy; a second member provided at the other vertical side of the vertical center of the underframe, supported by the underframe, and contacting an obstacle when the first member is compressed by collision with the obstacle. In a case where the second member receives a reaction force from the obstacle when the first member is compressed by the collision with the obstacle, the second member transfers to the underframe a moment load that is opposite in a rotational direction to a moment load transferred to the underframe by the first member.

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.

An energy absorption/coupling system for a railcar including a draft assembly provided toward opposed ends of a centersill on the railcar. Each draft assembly includes a coupler and a draft gear assembly disposed in longitudinally disposed and operable relation relative to each other. The coupler is configured to allow at least 4.5 inches of travel in a single longitudinal direction during operation of the coupler. The draft gear assembly of each draft assembly is configured to consistently and repeatedly withstand up to about 110,000 ft-lbs. of energy imparted to the energy absorption/coupling system at a force level not to exceed 900,000 lbs. over a range of travel of a wedge member in an inward axial direction relative to the housing of at least 4.5 inches. With the present invention disclosure, high level impact forces between rail cars can be absorbed and dissipated while maintaining an overall length of the railcar constant and unchanged. A method for releasably coupling two railcars to each other is also disclosed.