Railway facility with high throughput loop track

Abstract

A railway facility with high throughput loop track includes a series of adjacent parallel staging tracks connected to a main line to receive and depart trains, arranged in a path so that trains transverse around the railway facility. A balloon loop track, which includes a loading or unloading facility, is connected to the staging tracks loops and reverses the direction of the train so that upon completion of loading or unloading a train can depart or be re-staged without requiring repositioning or turning of locomotives. Staging tracks are included for staging both arriving and departing trains. In alternative embodiments transload tracks and at-grade access roads allow storage and retrieval of cargo to interior space within the staging tracks, and an escape track allows expedited exit of trains from the balloon loop track.

Claims

1. A railway facility with high throughput loop track, comprising: a plurality of generally concentric staging tracks connected to at least one main line to receive arriving trains and to depart departing trains, wherein each of said plurality of staging tracks extends contiguously to substantially encircle an outer perimeter of the railway facility and wherein each of said plurality of staging tracks is connected to an adjacent one of said plurality of staging tracks such that the plurality of staging tracks forms a spiral track substantially encircling the railway facility path for directing a train around the railway facility; and a first balloon loop track connected to at least one of the plurality of staging tracks and positioned within a space defined within the concentric staging tracks, wherein the first balloon track extends contiguously around at least a portion of an interior perimeter of the plurality of generally concentric plurality of staging tracks, and wherein the first balloon loop track is configured to reverse the direction of a train with respect to the direction of the train through the spiral path of the staging tracks.

2. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 1, wherein adjacent pairs of the plurality of concentric staging tracks are positioned in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other at distances of approximately fifteen feet and twenty-five feet alternating between respective pairs of staging tracks.

3. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 1, further comprising a loading or unloading facility positioned in proximity to the first balloon loop such that a length of track greater than or equal to a length of a full train is provided on the first balloon loop track beyond the loading or unloading facility such that an entire full train can be serviced by the loading or unloading facility while on the first balloon loop track.

4. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 1, further comprising at least one transload track connected to at least one of the staging tracks and running adjacent to the first balloon loop track, the transload track further extending into the space defined within the staging tracks and or the balloon loop to allow loading and unloading cargo into the interior space without interference with loading or unloading operations on the first balloon loop track.

5. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 1, further comprising a second balloon loop track connected to at least one of the plurality of staging tracks and positioned within a space defined within the concentric staging tracks.

6. A railway facility with high throughput loop track, comprising: at least one staging track connected to at least one main line to receive arriving trains and to depart departing trains, wherein the at least one staging track is configured to extend contiguously to substantially encircle an outer perimeter of the railway facility to receive an entire unit train and is arranged to direct a train around the outer perimeter of the railway facility; and a balloon loop connected to the at least one staging track and positioned within a space defined within the staging track, wherein the balloon track extends contiguously around at least a portion of an interior perimeter of the staging track, and wherein the balloon loop is configured to reverse the direction of a train with respect to the direction of an arriving train through the path of the staging track.

7. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 6, wherein the at least one staging track comprises a plurality of staging tracks connected to the balloon loop track to allow the staging tracks to be used for staging both arriving and departing trains.

8. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 7, wherein the plurality of staging tracks are arranged generally concentrically and run in adjacent relationship.

9. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 8, wherein roadway access to the interior of the loop staging tracks and the interior of the balloon loop is provided via at-grade crossings which are not blocked by loading or unloading trains.

10. A railway facility with high throughput loop track, comprising: a plurality of generally concentric staging tracks connected to at least one main line to receive at least first and second arriving unit trains and to depart the first and second unit trains, wherein each of said plurality of staging tracks extends contiguously to substantially encircle an outer perimeter of the railway facility and wherein each of said plurality of staging tracks is connected to an adjacent one of said plurality of staging tracks such that the plurality of staging tracks forms a spiral track path for directing a train around the railway facility; and a balloon loop track connected to at least one of the plurality of staging tracks and positioned within a space defined within the concentric staging tracks, wherein the balloon track extends contiguously around at least a portion of an interior perimeter of the plurality of generally concentric plurality of staging tracks, such that the track configuration permits the second train to enter the balloon loop as the first train departs or rechambers to an outer staging track without interference between paths of the two unit trains.

11. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 10, wherein adjacent pairs of the plurality of concentric staging tracks are positioned in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other at distances of approximately fifteen feet and twenty-five feet alternating between respective pairs of staging tracks.

12. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 10, further comprising a loading or unloading facility positioned in proximity to the balloon loop such that a length of track greater than or equal to a length of a full train is provided on the first balloon loop track beyond the loading or unloading facility such that an entire full train can be serviced by the loading or unloading facility while on the balloon loop track.

13. The railway facility with high throughput loop track of claim 10, further comprising at least one transload track connected to at least one of the staging tracks and running adjacent to the balloon loop track, the transload track further extending into the space defined within the staging tracks and or the balloon loop to allow loading and unloading cargo into the interior space without interference with loading or unloading operations on the balloon loop track.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a single unit train railway facility with high throughput loop track in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a close-up view of a first portion of the single unit train railway facility with high throughput loop track facility of FIG. 1, depicting a unique track configuration connecting each end of the staging, escape, and balloon tracks;

(4) FIG. 3 is a close-up view of a second portion of the single unit railway facility with high throughput loop track of FIG. 4 depicting access roads to the interior of the loops tracks;

(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view of a two unit train railway facility with high throughput loop tracks in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIGS. 5A and 5B are a plan view of a small intermodal railway facility with high throughput loop track in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a close-up view of a first portion of the small intermodal railway facility with high throughput loop track of FIGS. 5A and 5B, depicting a unique track configuration connecting each end of staging, escape, direct entry, and balloon tracks;

(8) FIGS. 7A and 7B are close-up views of the small intermodal railway facility with high throughput loop track of FIGS. 5A and 5B depicting access roads to the interior of the loop tracks; and

(9) FIGS. 8A and 8B are a plan view of a large intermodal railway facility with high throughput loop track in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 9 is a close-up view of a turnout track portion of the large intermodal railway facility with high throughput loop track of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(11) The subject matter of select embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different components, steps, or combinations thereof similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described. The terms “about”, “approximately”, “generally”, or other terms of approximation as used herein denote deviations from the exact value in the form of changes or deviations that are insignificant to the function.

(12) Looking first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a railway facility with high throughput loop track in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designated by the reference numeral 100. The facility comprises six staging tracks 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 encircling the outer perimeter of the facility, arranged generally concentrically in spaced-apart relationship, with staging track 12 the outermost and staging track 22 the innermost of the staging tracks.

(13) The facility is preferably positioned in proximity to a railroad main line wye track 11 so that trains arriving at the facility enter the staging tracks 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 from the main line 10 (from either direction) and trains departing the facility return to the main line 10 (to either direction). Preferably, the staging tracks are spaced apart at alternating fifteen foot and twenty-five foot distances so that a twenty-five foot spacing is available adjacent to at least one side of each staging track to allow access for an inspection vehicle (for pre-departure inspections). It should be understood that the six staging tracks 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 depicted are for exemplary purposes, and that more or fewer staging tracks may be used in other embodiments of the present invention.

(14) A plurality of turnouts 24 positioned at the end of the staging tracks 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 allow arriving trains to be directed into one of the staging tracks. Thus, trains entering the facility typically are directed onto the one of the staging tracks 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22.

(15) A plurality of turnouts 44 positioned along the staging tracks 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 allow trains to be directed from one of the staging tracks to balloon track 28 though loop balloon entrance 40.

(16) Looking still to FIG. 1, a balloon loop 28 extends around the interior perimeter of the plurality of concentric staging tracks 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 adjacent the innermost staging track 22. The balloon loop 28 follows the interior perimeter of the staging track 22 along the bottom and right sides, but loops back and downward, forming an interior balloon loop within the facility. The balloon loop thus directs the train(s) to loading and unloading facilities 30 positioned on the interior perimeter of the staging tracks in the middle of the facility. The train, after being loaded or unloaded, exits balloon loop 42 and is directed to a plurality of turnouts 44 and 45 to reach the staging tracks 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, thus allowing trains to be directed into one of the staging tracks for later departure. Preferably, the balloon track clear length beyond the loading and unloading facility is at least equal to the length of the longest train to be processed in order to use the escape track 26 to potentially directly depart rather than using a staging track to depart. Trains departing directly from the balloon track or being re-chambered in a staging track can use either bad order track A or bad order track B to set out railcars requiring repair. The loading and unloading facility 30 may be any such facility known in the art, such as facilities for loading and/or unloading bulk commodities.

(17) Looking still to FIG. 1, transload or manifest trains (or cuts of cars) to be loaded or unloaded are directed, with locomotives shoving, from the staging tracks 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 through a plurality of turnouts 44 and 45, or directly from main line 10, to track 48 and through a plurality of turnouts to any of three transload or manifest facilities 32, 33, 34. In the embodiment shown, transload or manifest facility 32 is served by tracks 50 and 51, transload or manifest facility 33 is served by tracks 52 and 53, and transload or manifest facility 34 is served by tracks 54 and 55.

(18) Vehicles receiving or delivering cargo to or from the transload or manifest facilities 32, 33, and 34 access the facilities via access road 81. Cargo unloaded from transload or manifest facilities 32, 33, and 34 are located in the interior spaces of the loop, thus cargo can be unloaded from arriving trains and easily transferred to vehicles from the transload/manifest tracks 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 for transport from the facility. Alternatively, the cargo may be moved and stored in the interior yard spaces. Likewise, cargo stored in the interior yard spaces can be loaded onto cars on the transload/manifest tracks 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 and then be easily transferred to departing trains at the transload/manifest facilities 32, 33, or 34. Thus, the interior space within the staging tracks loops and the balloon loop can be utilized and accessed without requiring grade separated track crossings or impeding the uninterrupted process of loading or unloading trains through the bulk facility as is common in conventional railway facilities known in the art.

(19) Turning to FIG. 4, a railway facility with inclusion of a second high throughput loop track in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designated by the reference numeral 200. The facility comprises six staging tracks 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 encircling the outer perimeter of the facility, arranged generally concentrically in spaced-apart relationship, with staging track 212 the outermost and staging track 222 the innermost of the staging tracks.

(20) The facility is preferably positioned in proximity to a railroad main line wye track 211 so that trains arriving at the facility enter the staging tracks 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 from the main line 210 and trains departing the facility return to the main line 210. Preferably, the staging tracks are spaced apart at alternating fifteen foot and twenty-five foot distances so that a twenty-five foot spacing is available adjacent to at least one side of each staging track to allow access for an inspection vehicle. It should be understood that the six staging tracks 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 depicted are for exemplary purposes, and that more or fewer staging tracks may be used in other embodiments of the present invention.

(21) A plurality of turnouts 224 positioned at the end of the staging tracks 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 allow trains to be directed into one of the staging tracks. Thus, trains entering the facility typically are directed onto the one of the staging tracks 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222.

(22) A plurality of turnouts 244 positioned along the staging tracks 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 allow trains to be directed from one of the staging tracks to balloon track 238.

(23) Looking still to FIG. 4, a balloon loop 238 extends around the interior perimeter of the plurality of concentric staging tracks 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 adjacent the innermost staging track 222. The balloon loop 238 follows the interior perimeter of the staging track 222 along the bottom and right sides, but loops back and downward, forming an interior balloon loop within the facility. A plurality of turnouts 244 positioned along the staging tracks 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 allow trains to be directed from one of the staging tracks to balloon track 238. The balloon loop thus directs the train(s) to a loading and unloading facilities 213 positioned on the interior perimeter of the staging tracks in the middle of the facility. Loading and unloading facility 213 may be configured for use with either a dry bulk unit train where the train remains intact, or a liquid bulk unit train where the train is loaded or unloaded on two separate tracks.

(24) The train after being loaded or unloaded is directed to a plurality of turnouts 244 positioned at one end of the staging tracks 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222 allowing trains to be directed into one of the staging tracks for later departure. The balloon track clear length beyond the loading and unloading facility is preferably equal to or greater than the length of the longest train to be processed in order to use the “escape” track 226 to potentially directly depart rather than using a staging track to depart. Trains departing directly from the balloon track or being rechambered in a staging track can use either bad order track A or bad order track B to set out railcars requiring repair. The loading and unloading facility 213 may be any such facility known in the art, such as facilities for loading and unloading bulk commodities.

(25) Turning now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6, 7A and 7B, a railway facility with high throughput smaller intermodal facility loop track in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designated by the reference numeral 300. The facility comprises four staging tracks 312, 314, 316, 318 encircling the outer perimeter of the facility, arranged generally concentrically in spaced-apart relationship, with staging track 312 the outermost and staging track 318 the innermost of the staging tracks.

(26) The facility is preferably positioned in proximity to a railroad wye track 311 so that trains arriving at the facility enter the staging tracks 312, 314, 316, 318 from the main line 310 and trains departing the facility return to the main line 310. Preferably, the staging tracks are spaced apart at alternating fifteen foot and twenty-five foot distances so that a twenty-five foot spacing is available adjacent to at least one side of each staging track to allow access for an inspection vehicle. It should be understood that the four staging tracks 312, 314, 316, 318 depicted are for exemplary purposes, and that more or fewer staging tracks may be used in other embodiments of the present invention.

(27) The intermodal facility 330 is comprised of two groups of three loading/unloading tracks. Group 1 tracks 342, 343, 344, and group 2 tacks 346, 347, 348. Preferably, the intermodal tracks are of a length equal to or greater than the that of the longest trains to be processed. It should be understood that the six intermodal tracks 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348 depicted are for exemplary purposes and that more or fewer staging tracks may be used in other embodiments of the present invention.

(28) The balloon track 322 supports intermodal group 1 tracks 342, 343, 344 and balloon track 324 supports intermodal group 2 tracks 346, 347, 348. Balloon tracks 322 and 324 preferably have a clear length beyond the intermodal loading and unloading facilities 330 that is preferably equal to or greater than the longest train, less the shortest intermodal tracks they support, in order to use the “escape” track 326 to potentially directly depart rather than using a staging track to depart.

(29) In a further aspect a direct entry track 328 is provided to allow trains to immediately arrive direct to the intermodal facility without first being directed to one of the staging tracks.

(30) A plurality of turnouts 345 positioned along the staging tracks 312, 314, 316, 318 allow trains to be directed into one of the staging tracks. Thus, trains entering the facility are typically directed onto the one of the staging tracks 312, 314, 316, 318.

(31) Another plurality of turnouts 344 positioned along the staging tracks 312, 314, 316, 318 allow trains to be directed from one of the staging tracks to the intermodal entrance 340 and to either intermodal facility 330 group 1 tracks 342, 343, 344 or group 2 tracks 346, 347, 348. Trains are preferably routed to move directly to the first intermodal facility 330 an onto one of the intermodal facility 330 group 1 tracks 343, 343, 344 or group 2 tracks 346, 347, 348. When the rear end of the train is in the clear of one of the intermodal facility 330 group 1 tracks or intermodal facility 330 group 2 tracks, the train will pull forward on balloon track 322, or 324, respectively, counterclockwise then reverse direction, spotting the remainder of the train into the other two intermodal tracks of that respective group.

(32) Vehicles receiving or delivering containers to or from intermodal facility 330 access the facility via access roads 351 and 352.

(33) Turning to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a large intermodal railway facility with high throughput loop track in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designated by the reference numeral 400. The facility comprises three groups of four staging tracks: group 1, comprising tracks 411, 412, 413, 414; group 2, comprising tracks 415, 416, 417, 418; and group 3, comprising tracks 419, 420, 421, 422; encircling the outer perimeter of the facility, arranged generally concentrically in spaced-apart relationship, with staging tracks 414, 418, 422 the innermost and staging track 411, 415, 419 the outermost of the staging tracks.

(34) The facility is preferably positioned in proximity to a railroad main line wye track 473 such that trains arriving at the facility enter the staging tracks group 1 directly or, alternatively entering group 2 or group 3 via balloon track 424 from the main line 410 and trains departing the facility return to the main line 410. Preferably, the staging tracks are spaced apart at alternating fifteen foot and twenty-five foot distances so that a twenty-five foot spacing is available adjacent to at least one side of each staging track to allow access for an inspection vehicle. It should be understood that the twelve staging tracks (in the three groups identified above) are for exemplary purposes, and that more or fewer staging tracks may be used in other embodiments of the present invention. This embodiment also includes a lead track which allows for trains on the main line 410 to enter and exit the facility and be arrived, staged, and departed in group 1 and group 2 staging tracks without turning these trains though use of lead track 571.

(35) In a further aspect an escape track 472 is provided to allow trains to immediately arrive direct to the intermodal facility without first being directed to one of the staging tracks.

(36) A plurality of turnouts 461 allow trains to be directed into one of the group 1 staging tracks 411, 412, 413, 414. A plurality of turnouts 462 and 463 allow trains to be directed onto balloon track 424 and move counter clockwise to the intermodal facility 430.

(37) Similarly, a plurality of turnouts 462 and 463 allow trains to be directed into one of the group 2 staging tracks 415, 416, 417. A plurality of turnouts 464 and 465 allow trains to be directed onto balloon track 424 and move counter clockwise to the intermodal facility 430.

(38) And, a plurality of turnouts 464 and 465 to allow trains to be directed into one of the group 3 staging tracks 419, 420, 421, 422. A plurality of turnouts 466 allow trains to be directed onto balloon Track 424 and move counter clockwise to the intermodal facility 430.

(39) Vehicles receiving or delivering containers to or from intermodal facility 430 access the facility via access roads 482 and 483.

(40) Looking still to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a track 448 extends around the interior perimeter of the plurality of concentric staging tracks adjacent to track 424. This track thus directs the train(s) from track 473 or from a plurality of the staging tracks to the intermodal facility 430 positioned on the interior perimeter of the staging tracks in the south half of the facility for transloading operations.

(41) The transload train, after being loaded or unloaded, is directed from track 448 and either departs on an escape track 472 and 473 to track 410, or to track 445 and through a plurality of turnouts 466 allowing trains to be directed into one of the staging tracks for later departure.

(42) The turnout arrangements along escape track 472 are best seen in FIG. 9.

(43) Manifest trains (or cuts of cars) to be loaded or unloaded are directed from main line 410 to staging tracks in a manner to that previously described. Transload trains (or cuts of cars) to be loaded or unloaded are directed, with locomotives shoving from the staging track to track 445 to manifest facilities 462, 463, 464, 465, 466. Vehicles receiving or delivering cargo to or from the manifest facilities 462, 463, 464, 465, 466 access the facilities via access road 481. Cargo unloaded from manifest facilities 462, 463, 464, 465, 466 are located in the interior spaces of the loop and balloon cargo can be unloaded from arriving trains and easily transferred to vehicles from the manifest facilities 462, 463, 464, 465, 466 tracks and transported from the facility. Alternatively, cargo may be moved into and stored in the interior yard spaces. Likewise, cargo stored in the interior yard spaces can be loaded onto cars on the manifest tracks and then easily be transferred to departing trains at the manifest facilities 462, 463, 464, 465, 466. Thus, the interior space within the staging tracks loops and the balloon loop can be utilized and accessed without requiring grade separated track crossings or impeding the flow of trains through the intermodal working tracks of the facility as is the case in facilities known in the art.

(44) While the present invention has been described herein with respect to exemplary embodiments of a railway facility with high throughput loop track, it should be understood that variations of those embodiments are likewise within the scope of the present invention. For example, while the exemplary embodiments depict three groups of four staging tracks, more or fewer staging tracks may be used within the scope of the present invention. Likewise, while the exemplary embodiments depict various combinations of features, not all of those features need be present in embodiments covered by the present invention. For example, the exemplary embodiments depict transload tracks and an escape track, either, both, or none of those features may be included in embodiments covered by this invention.

(45) Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Identification of structures as being configured to perform a particular function in this disclosure and in the claims below is intended to be inclusive of structures and arrangements or designs thereof that are within the scope of this disclosure and readily identifiable by one of skill in the art and that can perform the particular function in a similar way. Certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.