System and method for loading and unloading a vehicle to / from a railway carriage

Abstract

A system and a method for loading and unloading a vehicle to and from a railway carriage, wherein the system comprises - a lifting pallet arranged for drive-through and parking of the vehicle and possibly a truck, wherein the lifting pallet is transversely displaceable along a pair of skidding bases arranged on the railway carriage at each end of the lifting pallet; each skidding base comprises a centre skidding base portion transversely attached to the railway carriage, and a skidding base arm movably connected to the centre skidding base portion, between a transport position, through a displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion and further to an idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet; and the system comprises means arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet relative to the skidding base.

Description

[0001] SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING A VEHICLE

[0002] TO / FROM A RAILWAY CARRIAGE

[0003] A system for loading and unloading a vehicle to and from a railway carriage is provided. A lifting pallet arranged for drive-through and parking of a vehicle and possibly a truck, i.e. a powered vehicle arranged to trail an unpowered vehicle, is displaceable along transverse skidding bases to and from a position along the railway carriage, the system comprising means for lowering and lifting the lifting pallet relative to the railway carriage and a loading / unloading site along the railway carriage. A portion of the transverse skidding bases are arranged to move between a transport position, through a displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion and further to an idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet. A method for loading and unloading a vehicle to and from a railway carriage provided with said system is also disclosed.

[0004] Several systems for moving a semi-trailer or other type of vehicles between a position of road transport and a position of rail transport exist. Most of these systems include and are dependent on designated lifting and transport equipment present at the goods station I freight terminal where loading and unloading of railway carriages take place. Such equipment may include cranes and / or ground-based sliding, skidding and rotating rails. Other solutions require uniquely designed railway carriages, typically including several joints, individually rotating carriage parts and ramps.

[0005] From CN110626374 A is known a railway self-loading and unloading multifunctional support equipment which comprises a placing platform, a translation mechanism, a telescopic mechanism, a moving mechanism, and a power source. The placing platform is used for placing materials and arranged on the translation mechanism, the translation mechanism comprises a first translation assembly and a second translation assembly, and the output end of the first translation assembly and the output end of the second translation assembly face two different directions; and the power source is used for driving the translation mechanism and the telescopic mechanism to cooperate with each other so as to move or retract the placing platform from the position above the railway, and is in transmission connection with the moving mechanism and used for driving the moving mechanism to move on the railway.

[0006] DE10210829 A1 discloses a system and a method for loading cars or lorries on to railway carriages using trolleys, from which the car or lorry is pushed sideways up a loading ramp onto the carriage.

[0007] LIS2019322474 A1 discloses a transfer arrangement for transferring a semi-trailer onto an intermodal pocket wagon from a ground location beside the wagon, or vice versa. Base roller beams of first lifting means are supported by the ground at the ground location and are intended for lifting the semi-trailer up from the ground. Corresponding wagon roller beams of second lifting means are supported by the rail or the ground under the wagon and are intended for being elevated to substantially the same height as the base roller beams or for being lowered towards the ground. Transfer means are arranged for transferring the semi-trailer sideways from the first to the second lifting means in the elevated condition thereof.

[0008] The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art.

[0009] The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

[0010] A system and a method for moving rolling stock, typically a semi-trailer, hereinafter called vehicle, between a position of road transport and a position of rail transport is provided. The system may be installed on or integrated with a railway carriage for moving the vehicle onto and off the railway carriage without being dependent on external, designated infrastructure on the goods site and without requiring complicated and uniquely designed railway carriages.

[0011] The system may include a lifting pallet and a pair of transfer arms movable be- tween a closed position, where they may be folded around the lifting pallet, a transfer position where each transfer arm is pivoted outwardly from the railway carriage, and open position where each transfer arm is further moved repositioned to allow access fro a vehicle onto the lifting pallet.

[0012] When each transfer arm has been moved to an unfolded transfer position, a support leg on each arm may be lowered to provide ground support. The lifting pallet may then be then skidded outwardly onto the transfer arms by means of traverse carriages provided with lifting means arranged to lift and lower the lifting pallet relative to the lifting pallet, typically hydraulic cylinders, and then lowered to ground.

[0013] In certain embodiments, after the lifting pallet has been lowered to ground, the transverse arms are moved further out to open positions, extending along end portions of the railway carriage with free transverse arm ends away from the lifting pallet, whereafter a vehicle, e.g. a truck with a semi-trailer, may drive onto the lifting pallet. When the vehicle is in position on the lifting pallet, possibly disconnected from the truck, the transfer arms are pivoted back to the transfer position. The lifting pallet with the semi-trailer is lifted back up to the level of the railway carriage by means of the lifting means and skidded onto the railway carriage by means of the traverse carriages. The transfer arms are moved to their closed / transport positions. Rail transport may now commence.

[0014] To move the vehicle off the railway carriage and back to ground, the loading operation disclosed above may be reversed.

[0015] The system may optionally be provided with two pairs of transverse arms, one on each side of the railway carriage.

[0016] The system and method according to the invention enable transport of vehicles like semi-trailers onto and from standardized “normal” cargo transport railway carriages without requiring any designated, additional infrastructure at the goods station

[0017] The invention is defined by the independent patent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention. In a first aspect the invention relates more particularly to a system for loading and unloading a vehicle to and from a railway carriage, wherein the system comprises a lifting pallet arranged for drive-through and parking of the vehicle and possibly a truck, wherein the lifting pallet is transversely displaceable along a pair of skidding bases arranged on the railway carriage at each end of the lifting pallet; each skidding base comprises a centre skidding base portion transversely attached to the railway carriage, and a (first) skidding base arm movably connected to the centre skidding base portion, between a transport position, through a displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion and further to an idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet; and the system comprises means arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet relative to the skidding base.

[0018] In one embodiment each skidding base arm may be pivotally connected to the centre skidding base portion and the transport position of each skidding base arm may be along the lifting pallet. However, in an alternative embodiment, the skidding base arm may be arranged to be folded out to the transverse position from a substantially upright position.

[0019] The system may comprise several traverser carriages arranged to travel along the skidding base. An effect of this is that the skidding of the lifting pallet is eased.

[0020] At least some of the traverser carriages may be powered. An effect of this is that the transverse displacement of the lifting pallet may be remotely controlled.

[0021] Each skidding base arm may comprise one or more adjustable support legs arranged to contact a ground of a loading / unloading site when the skidding base arm is in the displacement position. An effect of this is that the railway carriage is effectively stabilized independently of the level and state of the loading / unloading site.

[0022] Each skidding base may comprise a second skidding base arm pivotally connected to the centre skidding base portion opposite to the first skidding base arm, pivotal between a transport position extending along the lifting pallet and the railway carriage, through a displacement position in line with the centre skidding base por- tion and further to an idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet. An effect of this is that loading and unloading can take place at any load- ing / unloading site arrangements.

[0023] The means arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet relative to the skidding base may be arranged for transferring load from the traverser carriages to the frame structures of the railway carriage. An effect of this is that the lifting pallet is thoroughly stabilized during the railway travel.

[0024] The means arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet relative to the skidding base may be selected from the group comprising hydraulic cylinders, rack and pinion arrangements, and draw works. An effect of this is that the system can be adapted to a wide range of railway carriage standards.

[0025] In a second aspect the invention relates more particularly to a method for loading and unloading a vehicle to and from a railway carriage, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a railway carriage with a system according to the first aspect of the invention at a loading / unloading site; b) moving the pair of skidding base arms from the transport position extending along the lifting pallet and the railway carriage, to the displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion; c) supporting the skidding base arms on a ground of the loading / unloading site; d) displacing the lifting pallet along the skidding base off the railway carriage; e) lowering the lifting pallet to the ground; f) releasing the pair of skidding base arms from their support on the ground; g) moving the pair of skidding base arms to an idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet; h) moving the vehicle onto the lifting pallet; i) moving the pair of skidding base arms from the idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet, to the displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion; j) supporting the skidding base arms on a ground of the loading / unloading site; k) lifting the lifting pallet off the ground; l) displacing the loaded lifting pallet along the skidding base onto the railway carriage; m) releasing the pair of skidding base arms from their support on the ground; and n) moving the pair of skidding base arms to the transport position extending along the lifting pallet and the railway carriage.

[0026] The method may comprise the further steps of: unloading the railway carriage by reversing steps a) - g) and moving the vehicle off the lifting pallet. An effect of this is that unloading directly prepares the system according to the first aspect of the invention for the loading.

[0027] The method may comprise the further step of: o) relieving the traverser carriages by supporting the lifting pallet on frame structures. An effect of this is that the system according to the first aspect of the invention is not impacted by the heavy dynamic loads generated during the railway travel.

[0028] The invention also relates to a railway carriage including a system according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0029] There is also disclosed herein an embodiment of a system according to the invention, where the lifting pallet defines a structural, load-carrying component of the railway carriage when assembled. I.e. the lifting pallet may define a “bridge” between a pair of railway bogies, the pallet and bogies together defining the railway carriage, which may significantly reduce weight of the system. In contrast to use with a pocket wagon or other traditional railway carriage, the need for means arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet relative to the skidding bases may be reduced or, in certain embodiments, completely removed. Since there is no need to lift the lifting pallet in and out of a pocket of a pocket wagon it may be sufficient just to skid the pallet along the skidding bases, including the central skidding base portion and the arm. Similarly, when moving the vehicle onto the carriage / pair of bogies, it may be sufficient to lift the lifting pallet with the vehicle slightly off ground and then skid it into place without further vertical movement. However, it may be useful if the lifting pallet is connected to the railway bogies in a locking engagement during use / transport so that the lifting pallet may need to be lifted a short vertical distance out of / into the locking engagement with the railway bogies before skidding.

[0030] Similarly, there is also disclosed a method for loading and unloading a vehicle to and from a pair of railway bogies, where the lifting pallet, when assembled, defines a bridge between the pair of bogies.

[0031] In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0032] Fig. 1 shows in perspective view a railway carriage provided with a system according to the present invention, and a waiting truck with a semitrailer to be loaded onto the railway carriage;

[0033] Fig. 2 shows transverse arms pivoted to their unfolded, transverse loading positions;

[0034] Fig. 3 shows transverse arm supports engaged;

[0035] Fig. 4 shows a lifting pallet lifted free from support structure by pallet lifting means;

[0036] Fig. 5 shows the lifting pallet skidded outwardly on unfolded transverse arms;

[0037] Fig. 6 shows the loaded lifting pallet lowered to the ground;

[0038] Fig. 7 shows traverser carriages returned to the centre skidding base portion;

[0039] Fig. 8 shows the transverse arm supports returned to their idle transport positions;

[0040] Fig. 9 shows the transverse arms further pivoted to their open positions along end portions of the railway carriage; Fig. 10 shows the semi-trailer having entered the lifting pallet;

[0041] Fig. 11 shows the lifting pallet with the semi-trailer parked and disconnected from the truck;

[0042] Fig. 12 shows the transverse arms returned to their transverse loading positions;

[0043] Fig. 13 shows the transverse arm supports re-engaged;

[0044] Fig. 14 shows the traverser carriages returned to the lifting pallet;

[0045] Fig. 15 shows the lifting pallet being ready to be skidded onto the railway carriage;

[0046] Fig. 16 shows the lifting pallet in position for lowering onto the railway carriage;

[0047] Fig. 17 shows the lifting pallet lowered onto the frame structures of the railway carriage and secured for transportation;

[0048] Fig. 18 shows the transverse arm supports returned to their idle transport positions;

[0049] Fig. 19 shows the transverse arm pivoted to their idle positions along the railway carriage;

[0050] Fig. 20 shows a schematic ground view of a railway carriage with two sets of transverse arms: and

[0051] Figs. 21-28 show an alternative embodiment of a system for loading and unloading a vehicle to and from a railway carriage

[0052] In the figures identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar features in the drawings. The drawings are schematic and simplified, and various features therein are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0053] In the figures reference numeral 1 denotes railway carriage, which in Figs. 1-20 is shown as a so-called pocket wagon. The shown railway carriage 1 is of a kind arranged to carry a lifting pallet 21 designed for drive-through, parking and carrying at least one rolling stock, typically a vehicle in the form of a depicted semi-trailer 3 connectable to and dis-connectable from a truck 4 or another type of tractor. The lifting pallet 21 is locatable in a recessed centre portion between end portions 11 of the railway carriage 1 , also called a pocket. The lifting pallet 21 is part of a load- ing / unloading system 2 installed on the railway carriage 1 and arranged for lifting and lowering as well as transverse displacement of the lifting pallet 21 relative to a skidding base 22. Loading and unloading take place on a loading / unloading site 5 provided with a ground 51 .

[0054] It is referred to figure 2. A centre skidding base portion 221 is connected to the railway carriage 1 at each end of the lifting pallet 21 . A skidding base arm 222, throughout the description also named transverse arm, is pivotally connected to each centre skidding base portion 221 and arranged to be positioned along the lifting pallet 21 when the lifting pallet 21 is located onboard the railway carriage 1 (see figures 1 and 19), in a transverse position in line with the centre skidding base portion 221 (see figures 2-8, 12-18), and along end portions of the railway carriage 1 (see figures 9-11 ).

[0055] Each skidding base 22 is provided with traverser carriages 23 arranged to support the lifting pallet 21 on the respective skidding base 22. The traverser carriages 23 are provided with suitable power means (not shown) arranged to displace the lifting pallet 21 in a controlled manner along the skidding bases 22.

[0056] Each skidding base arm 222 is provided with one or more adjustable support legs 222a arranged to contact a ground 51 of a loading / unloading site 5 when the skidding base arm 222 is in the transverse position.

[0057] Furthermore, means for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet 21 relative to the skidding base 22 is provided. In the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, said lifting and lowering means are in the form of extendable support legs 231 , e.g. hydraulic cylinders arranged on a traverser carriage 23. To allow the traverser carriages 23 to be unloaded during a travel of the railway carriage 1 , load is transferred from the traverser carriages 23 to frame structures 12 (see figure 1 ) of the railway carriage 1 by retracting the support legs 231 , allowing the lifting pallet 21 to be lowered onto said frame structures 12.

[0058] It is now referred to figure 20. In an alternative embodiment, the loading / unloading system is provided with a second set of pivoting skidding base arms 223 provided on the opposite to the previously mentioned skidding base arms 222, allowing the loading and unloading of the vehicle 3 optionally take place on either side of the railway carriage 1 .

[0059] Power pack, controls, etc. required for the operation of the loading / unloading system 2 obvious for a person skilled in the art are not disclosed.

[0060] The lifting pallet 21 and the railway carriage 1 are provided with adequate means (not shown) for securing the lifting means 21 and the vehicle 3, obvious for a person skilled in the art and according to public regulations etc.

[0061] When a vehicle 3 is to be loaded onto the railway carriage 1 , the railway carriage 1 is parked at a loading / unloading site 5. A pair of skidding base arms 222 are pivoted to transverse positions, in line with the respective centre skidding base portions 221 , see figure 2. The skidding base arm support legs 222a are extended to the ground 51 to support the skidding base arms 222, see figure 3. The lifting pallet 21 is released from any securing means, lifted from the pocket of the railway carriage 1 by extending the lifting pallet support legs 231 of the traverser carriage 23 (see figure 4) and is transversely displaced by the traverser carriages 23 travelling along the skidding base 22 to a position as shown in figure 5. The lifting pallet 21 is lowered to the ground 51 (see figure 6) by the retraction of the lifting pallet support legs 231 , thereby freeing the traverser carriages 23 from the lifting pallet 21 . The traverser carriages 23 are displaced to the respective centre skidding base portions 221 , see figure 7. The support legs 222a of the skidding base arms 222 are retracted (see figure 8) and the skidding base arms 222 are pivoted to positions along the end portions of the railway carriage 1 as shown in figure 9. Now the vehicle 3 can enter the lifting pallet 21 as shown in figure 10 and possibly disconnected from the truck 5 as shown in figure 11. The skidding base arms 222 are pivoted back to their transverse positions (see figure 12), and the skidding base arm support legs 222a are extended to the ground 51 to support the skidding base arms 222, see figure 13. The traverser carriages 23 are displaced to their positions on the respective skidding base arms 222, see figure 14, the lifting pallet support legs 231 engaging with the lifting pallet 21 . The loaded lifting pallet 21 is then raised by extension of the lifting pallet support legs 231 , see figure 15. The loaded lifting pallet 21 is transversely displaced and secured inside the railway carriage 1 (see figures 16 and 17). Finally, the skidding base arm support legs 222a are retracted (see figure 18) and the skidding base arms 222 pivoted to their transport positions along the lifting pallet 21 and secured (see figure 19).

[0062] Unloading is performed in a reverse process.

[0063] Figs. 21-28 show an alternative embodiment of a system 2 where the lifting pallet 21 constitutes a load-carrying component of the railway carriage 1 , so that the railway carriage 1 , when assembled, includes a pair of bogies 25 defining respective end portions 11 of the railway carriage 1 and the lifting pallet 21 . When the lifting pallet 21 is moved to a ground position 51 on a loading / unloading site 5, as explained above, only a pair of spaced-apart bogies 25 of the railway carriage remain on the railway track.

[0064] Fig. 21 shows, in a perspective view, a truck 4 with a semi-trailer 3 moving towards the loading / unloading place 5, as explained above. A system 2 according to this second embodiment is shown placed on a railway track next to the loading / unloading place 5. The railway carriage 1 includes a lifting pallet 21 spanning a bridge between two railway bogies 25 defining end portions 11 of the railway carriage 1 . Similarly to the embodiment of Figs. 1-20, the end portions 11 , here bogies 25, include a respective skidding base 22 with a centre skidding base portion 221 and a movable skidding base arm 222.

[0065] In the shown embodiment, the skidding base arm is pivotally connected to the railway bogie 25 so that skidding base arm 222 may move between the three different positions as explained above. In the transverse position the skidding base arm 222 define a straight, transverse skidding line together with the centre skidding base portion 221 , as also explained above. Additionally, the skidding base arms 222 of this embodiment are vertically movable between a raised position, in which each skidding base arm 222 defines a straight skidding line with the centre skidding base portion 221 , and a lowered position. The lowered position may e.g. be half-way between upper position and the ground level. The skidding base I transverse arms 222 may be in the lowered position in a transport situation, i.e. when the lifting pallet 21 is installed between the bogies 25. For skidding on the lifting pallet 21 , the transverse arms are swung outwardly to their transverse I skidding position and then raised to level with the centre skidding base portion 221 . When the truck 4 is driving on / off the lifting pallet 21 , the skidding base arms 222 are typically swung outwardly (180° from their transport position) also in the lowered position. Raising / lowering of the skidding base arms 222 may typically be done by means of hydraulic cylinders, a rack and pinion arrangement etc.

[0066] Fig. 22 show the skidding base arms 222 as they are being swung from the transport position to their transverse position and raised to their upper position. Support legs 222a are lowered to ground to support the skidding base arms 222 during skidding. The lifting pallet 21 is lifted a short distance out of locking engagement with the bogies 25 by means of traverser support legs, such as cylinders or similar (not shown), on the traverser carriage 23, whereafter the lifting pallet 21 is ready to be skidded from the position shown in Fig. 23.

[0067] Fig. 24 shows the lifting pallet 21 after it has been skidded from the centre skidding base portion 221 to the skidding base arms 222. The traverser support legs (not shown) lower the lifting pallet 21 , while also the skidding base arms 222 are lowered to their lowered position and the support legs 22a retracted, as indicated in Fig. 25. The lifting pallet 21 is now resting on ground 5.

[0068] Fig. 26 shows the system as the skidding base arms 222, in their lowered position, are swung outwardly to their idle position so that a truck 4 with semi-trailer 3 may drive onto the lifting pallet 21 . The traverser carriages may 23, before the skidding base arms are moved to their idle position, move back to the centre skidding base portion 221 (not shown) or be moved into a “pocket” (also not shown) under the skidding base portion in the bogie 25. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 27, only the semi-trailer is positioned over the lifting pallet 21 . The truck 4 then detaches from the semi-trailer 3, and the skidding process may now be reversed to place the semi-trailer 3 onto the railway carriage 1. It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0069] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0070] The following clauses set out features of the invention which may not be presently claimed but which may form the basis for amendments or future divisional applications.

[0071] CLAUSES

[0072] 1 . A system (2) for loading and unloading a vehicle (3) to and from a railway carriage (1 ), wherein the system (2) comprises: a lifting pallet (21 ) arranged for drive-through and parking of the vehicle (3) and possibly a truck (4), and a pair of railway bogies (25), the lifting pallet and railway bogies, when assembled, together defining the railway carriage, wherein the lifting pallet (21 ) is transversely displaceable along a pair of skidding bases (22) arranged on a respective bogie at each end of the lifting pallet (21 ); each skidding base (22) comprises a centre skidding base portion (221 ) transversely attached to a respective railway bogie of the railway carriage (1 ), and a (first) skidding base arm (222) movably connected to the centre skidding base portion (221), between a transport position, through a displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion (221) and further to an idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet (21); and

[0073] 2. A system according to clause 1 , wherein each skidding base arm (222) is pivotally connected to the centre base portion (221 ) and wherein the transport position of each skidding base arm (222) is along the lifting pallet (21 ) and the railway carriage (1 ).

[0074] 3. The system according to clause 1 or 2, the system (2) further comprising means (231 ) arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet (21) relative to the skidding base (22).

[0075] 4. The system (2) according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the system (2) comprises several traverser carriages (23) arranged to travel along the skidding base (22).

[0076] 5. The system (2) according to clause 4, wherein at least some of the traverser carriages (23) are powered.

[0077] 6. The system (2) according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein each skidding base arm (222) comprises one or more adjustable support legs (222a) arranged to contact a ground (51 ) of a loading / unloading site (5) when the skidding base arm (222) is in the displacement position.

[0078] 7. The system according to any one of the preceding clauses, where in the skidding base arm is vertically movable relative to its respective railway bogie.

[0079] 8. The system (2) according to any one of the clauses 2-7, wherein each skidding base (22) comprises a second skidding base arm (223) pivotally connected to the centre skidding base portion (221 ) opposite to the first skidding base arm (222), pivotal between a transport position extending along the lifting pallet (21) and the railway carriage (1 ), through a displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion (221) and further to an idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet (21).

[0080] 9. The system (2) according to any one of the clauses 3-8, wherein the means (231 ) arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet (21) relative to the skidding base (22) are selected from the group comprising hydraulic cylinders, rack and pinion arrangements, and draw works.

[0081] 10. Method for loading and unloading a vehicle (3) to and from a railway carriage by means of a system according to any one of the preceding clauses, the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a railway carriage (1 ) with a system according to clause 1 at a loading / unloading site (5); b) moving the pair of skidding base arms (222) from the transport to the displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion (221 ); c) supporting the skidding base arms (222) on a ground (51 ) of the loading / unloading site (5); d) displacing the lifting pallet (21 ) along the skidding base (22) off the railway carriage (1 ); e) lowering the lifting pallet (21 ) to the ground (51 ); f) releasing the pair of skidding base arms (222) from their support on the ground (51 ); g) moving the pair of skidding base arms (222) to the idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet (21 ); h) moving the vehicle (3) onto the lifting pallet (21); i) moving the pair of skidding base arms (222) from the idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet (21), to the displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion (221 ); j) supporting the skidding base arms (222) on a ground (51 ) of the loading / unloading site (5); k) lifting the lifting pallet (21 ) off the ground (51 ); l) displacing the loaded lifting pallet (21 ) along the skidding base (22) onto the railway carriage (1 ); m) releasing the pair of skidding base arms (222) from their support on the ground (51 ); and n) moving the pair of skidding base arms (222) to the transport position extending along the lifting pallet (21 ) and the railway carriage (1 ). The method according to clause 10, wherein the method comprises the further steps of: unloading the railway carriage (1 ) by reversing steps a) - g) and moving the vehicle (3) off the lifting pallet (21 ). Railway carriage (1 ) including a system (2) according to any one of the clauses 1 -7.

Claims

C l a i m s1 . A system (2) for loading and unloading a vehicle (3) to and from a railway carriage (1 ), wherein the system (2) comprises:- a lifting pallet (21 ) arranged for drive-through and parking of the vehicle (3) and possibly a truck (4), c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the lifting pallet (21 ) is transversely displaceable along a pair of skidding bases (22) arranged on the railway carriage (1 ) at each end of the lifting pallet (21 ); each skidding base (22) comprises a centre skidding base portion (221 ) transversely attached to the railway carriage (1 ), and a (first) skidding base arm (222) movably connected to the centre skidding base portion (221 ), between a transport position, through a displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion (221 ) and further to an idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet (21 ); and the system (2) comprises means (231 ) arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet (21 ) relative to the skidding base (22).

2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein each skidding base arm (222) is pivotally connected to the centre base portion (221 ) and wherein the transport position of each skidding base arm (222) is along the lifting pallet(21 ) and the railway carriage (1 ).

3. The system (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the system (2) comprises several traverser carriages (23) arranged to travel along the skidding base(22).

4. The system (2) according to claim 3, wherein at least some of the traverser carriages (23) are powered.

5. The system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each skidding base arm (222) comprises one or more adjustable support legs (222a) arranged to contact a ground (51 ) of a loading / unloading site (5) when the skidding base arm (222) is in the displacement position.

6. The system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each skidding base (22) comprises a second skidding base arm (223) pivotally connected to the centre skidding base portion (221 ) opposite to the first skidding base arm (222).

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the second skidding base arm (223) is pivotal between a transport position extending along the lifting pallet (21 ) and the railway carriage (1 ), through a displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion (221 ) and further to an idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet (21 ).

8. The system (2) according to any one of the claims3-7, wherein the means (231 ) arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet (21 ) relative to the skidding base (22) are arranged for transferring load from the traverser carriages (23) to the frame structures (12) of the railway carriage (1 ).

9. The system (2) according to any one of the preceding claims , wherein the means (231 ) arranged for lifting and lowering the lifting pallet (21 ) relative to the skidding base (22) are selected from the group comprising hydraulic cylinders, rack and pinion arrangements, and draw works.

10. Method for loading and unloading a vehicle (3) to and from a railway carriage (1 ), c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n that the method comprises the steps of: a) providing a railway carriage (1 ) with a system according to claim 1 at a loading / unloading site (5); b) moving the pair of skidding base arms (222) from the transport position, to the displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion (221 ); c) supporting the skidding base arms (222) on a ground (51 ) of the loading / unloading site (5); d) displacing the lifting pallet (21 ) along the skidding base (22) off the railway carriage (1 ); e) lowering the lifting pallet (21 ) to the ground (51 ); f) releasing the pair of skidding base arms (222) from their supporton the ground (51 ); g) moving the pair of skidding base arms (222) to the idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet (21 ); h) moving the vehicle (3) onto the lifting pallet (21 ); i) moving the pair of skidding base arms (222) from the idle position extending away from end portions of the lifting pallet (21 ), to the displacement position in line with the centre skidding base portion (221 ); j) supporting the skidding base arms (222) on a ground (51 ) of the loading / unloading site (5); k) lifting the lifting pallet (21 ) off the ground (51 ); l) displacing the loaded lifting pallet (21 ) along the skidding base (22) onto the railway carriage (1 ); m) releasing the pair of skidding base arms (222) from their support on the ground (51 ); and n) moving the pair of skidding base arms (222) to the transport position.11 . The method according to claim 10, wherein the method comprises the further steps of: unloading the railway carriage (1 ) by reversing steps a) - g) and moving the vehicle (3) off the lifting pallet (21 ).

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11 , wherein the method comprises the further step of: o) relieving the traverser carriages (23) by supporting the lifting pallet (21 ) on frame structures (12).

13. Railway carriage (1 ) including a system (2) according to any one of the claims 1 -9.

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