Article and means for a hybrid transit vehicle, transit system and assemblage thereof. Vehicle composition may include at least one chassis frame arrangement for a pivoting articulating suspension to position wheel axle to “X” horizontal axis for vehicle modality by wheel contact to ground-based surface and to position wheel axle to “Z” vertical axis for vehicle modality by wheel and utility contact to surface of rail guideway.

A track system for transporting people and goods with two support rails plus a side stabilizer mechanism associated with one or both rails. The side stabilizer is employed to provide lateral stability and keep a vehicle's rail wheels on the support rails. The side stabilizer may be a protruding bar or a recessed groove. This track system enables vehicles to change support rails at a junction with stationary non-switching rails. Rail wheels roll over the support rails and support the weight of the vehicle while on the rails. Interior side rollers contact the interior of the bar side stabilizer and maintain the vehicle's rail wheels centered over the support rails. Exterior side rollers contact an exterior of one of the bar side stabilizers and forces the vehicle to stay on the current track or to change to a different track. Recessed grooves and dual-flange wheels can alternately provide side stabilization. At track junctions the vehicle can change direction, pass other vehicles, change lanes, turn-around, and load or unloading passengers or freight. This track system may be integrated with a conventional road system or with a controlled-access (autobahn/interstate) highway system. Optional road wheels allow the vehicle to exit the track system and travel on conventional roads, or dual-mode road/rail wheels can be used for travel on both track and pavement. An automatic traffic control system controls traffic on the track system and enables self-driving vehicles. Powering for the vehicles can be provided by the track system. The system can be miniaturized and used for the model/toy market.

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.

A railroad switch (in USA), turnout, or [set of] points (Europe) is a mechanical installation enabling railway trains to be guided from one track to another, such as at a railway junction or where a spur or siding branches off. This invention describes a rail transportation system that allows vehicles to change tracks at railroad switch locations while all supporting and guiding rails remain static. Vehicles have diverters that apply lateral force to direct the vehicle to go onto the desired track, right, left, or straight ahead. This is enabled by the diverters plus rail wheels that have inside flanges and wide cylindrical surfaces. This innovation allows rail vehicles to travel through a connected rail system like a highway system that is transporting trucks, buses, and cars on paved roads. This system may operate under a computerized traffic control system and allows mass transit systems to respond to ride requests, enabling 24-hour route-adaptive mass transit. The track system can be placed into a road, like tram (or street cars) tracks. Vehicle can form into coupled trains while moving, and passengers can change routes in transit by changing coupled cars. Rail switches can be static for self-switching vehicles, but normally static components can adapt to accommodate conventional rail-switched rail vehicles.

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.

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.

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 herein is a railcar-moving vehicle having a highway mode for operation on roadways, and a rail mode for operation on rails. The railcar-moving vehicle including a support system, at least one drive axle with rubber tried drive wheels, and at least one pair of steering tires and two spaced apart rail bogies suspended by the support system. The railcar-moving vehicle including a weighted sled frame slidably mounted to the support system, the sled frame translatable between the front end and the rear end of the support system for optimizing weight distribution for increasing traction by the bogies when in rail mode. The bogies retained in an elevated and stowed position during highway mode and in a lowered position when in rail mode.

There is described a hi-rail device comprising a cam assembly, an axle assembly and a locking pin. The cam assembly comprises a guiding slot which comprises a plurality of contiguous segments extending as a broken line, e.g., in a flattened M shape, wherein a first one and a last one of the contiguous segments extend in a downward slope with respect to a horizon. The locking pin inserted in the guiding slot and movable in translation within the guiding slot in which it is inserted. The axle assembly, in which the locking pin is inserted, has a weight applied on the locking pin which locks the locking pin in the lower end or the upper end of the guiding slot if the locking pin is in the first one or the last one of the four contiguous segments and no other force is applied thereonto.

Disclosed herein is a railcar-moving vehicle having a highway mode for operation on roadways, and a rail mode for operation on rails. The railcar-moving vehicle including a support system, at least one drive axle with rubber tried drive wheels, and at least one pair of steering tires and two spaced apart rail bogies suspended by the support system. The railcar-moving vehicle including a weighted sled frame slidably mounted to the support system, the sled frame translatable between the front end and the rear end of the support system for optimizing weight distribution for increasing traction by the bogies when in rail mode. The bogies retained in an elevated and stowed position during highway mode and in a lowered position when in rail mode.