Method and apparatus for rail-to-road shipping

Abstract

A method and apparatus for rail-to-road shipping. Apparatus for powering short trains, said apparatus comprising: a rail car, said rail car comprising a frame, said frame having a front, a rear, and a deck, said frame supported by a first bogie and by a second bogie, said first bogie having a first rail axle and a first pair of flanged main rail wheels, said first bogie located at or near the front of said frame, said second bogie having a second rail axle and a second pair of flanged main rail wheels, said second bogie located at or near the rear of said frame; a first gear system, said first gear system comprising a plurality of gears configured to receive motive power supplied from external rail driving gears; a first over-the-road tractor, said first over-the-road tractor comprising a first drive axle and first and second sets of dual wheels on opposing sides of said first drive axle; and first and second external rail driving gears, wherein said deck includes apertures therein to accommodate therethrough said first and second sets of dual wheels, so that when said first over-the-road tractor is placed on said deck, said first and second external rail driving gears are located in meshing engagement with said a first gear system for supply of motive power thereto from said first over-the-road tractor.

Description

technical field [0001] The present application relates to systems for providing transport of semi-trailers and trailers, including local rail transport followed by transfer to road for local truck transport, and to equipment that can be used to facilitate such transport and transfer. Background technique [0002] In the trucking industry, it is well known that in many cases, the last few miles become a source of delay and additional cost, as small quantities of freight may need to be transported, especially by rail, to remote locations. However, since transportation typically involves rail transiting road-capable trailers to a location close to their final destination, subsequent connection to trucks is quite labor-intensive and time-consuming. [0003] As a result, the use of rail-road intermodal systems and methods has been largely limited to long-distance freight. However, in an environment of increasingly competitive freight costs, there remains a need for improvements ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, since transport typically involves rail transfers of road-capable trailers to a point close to their final destination, subsequent connection to trucks is quite labor-intensive and time-consuming

[0003] As a result, the use of rail-road intermodal systems and methods has largely been limited to long-haul freight

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