Rail shuttle system and method

Abstract

A rail travel system and method having a main train which maintains a nearly constant speed between a point of departure and a point of arrival, while loading and unloading passengers at one or more points therebetween.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rail travel system comprising: 
 a main train traveling at a first speed en route from a first point to a final point on a first rail line, at least one intermediate point existing between said first point and said final point;    a train station located at said intermediate point;    a second rail line having a first end and a second end, said first end connected to said first rail line at a first switch point and said second end connected to said first rail line at a second switch point, said first and second switch points located remotely from one another, said train station located adjacent said second rail line between said first and second switch points;    a self-propelled shuttle car coupled to said main train for traveling with said main train at said first speed, said shuttle car decoupling prior to reaching said first switch point and decelerating to switch onto said second rail line and stop at said station, said main train continuing on said first rail line at said first speed without interruption.    
     
     
         2 . The rail travel system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second self-propelled shuttle car on said second rail line, said second shuttle for accelerating to said first speed and, after switching at said second switch point onto said first rail line, coupling to said main train while said main train and said second shuttle are traveling at said first speed.  
     
     
         3 . The rail travel system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a coach car coupled to said shuttle car for increased load capacity.  
     
     
         4 . The rail travel system as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a coach car coupled to said second shuttle car for increased load capacity.  
     
     
         5 . A method for reducing travel time on a rail system, comprising the steps of: 
 coupling a first self-propelled shuttle car to a main train;    accelerating said main train and coupled shuttle car to a first traveling speed on a first rail line and maintaining said first traveling speed en route to a destination;    decoupling said first shuttle from said main train when said main train approaches an intermediate station, said intermediate station serviced by a second rail line;    decelerating by said first shuttle so that said shuttle falls behind said main train;    switching said first shuttle onto said second rail line, said main train continuing on said first rail line at said first traveling speed;    stopping, by said first shuttle, at said intermediate station for passenger transfer.    
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , said passenger transfer including unloading disembarking passengers from the shuttle to the intermediate station.  
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , said passenger transfer including loading embarking passengers from the intermediate station to the shuttle.  
     
     
         8 . The method as set forth in  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of: 
 traveling, by a second train, along said first rail line at a second traveling speed;    accelerating said first shuttle along said second rail line;    passing, by said second train, said second switch point along said first rail line;    switching, at said second switch point, said first shuttle from said second rail line to said first rail line behind said second train; and    coupling said first shuttle to said second train while said shuttle and said second train are moving.    
     
     
         9 . The method as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein said step of coupling is completed while said shuttle and said second train are moving at said second traveling speed.  
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  further comprising, 
 before the step of coupling, the step of decelerating said second train to a docking speed;  
 said step of coupling being completed while said shuttle and said second train are moving at said docking speed; and  
 accelerating said second train with said shuttle coupled thereto to said second traveling speed.  
 
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said first traveling speed and said second traveling speed are approximately equal.  
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in  claim 5 , further comprising the steps of: 
 loading passengers onto a second shuttle at said intermediate station before arrival of said first shuttle;    accelerating said second shuttle along said second rail line toward said second switch point;    passing, by said main train, said second switch point along said first rail line;    switching, at said second switch point, said second shuttle from said second rail line to said first rail line behind said main train; and    coupling said second shuttle to said main train while said shuttle and said main train are moving.    
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said step of coupling is completed while said second shuttle and said main train are moving at said first traveling speed.  
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 12  further comprising, 
 before the step of coupling, the step of decelerating said main train to a docking speed;  
 said step of coupling being completed while said second shuttle and said main train are moving at said docking speed; and  
 accelerating said main train with said second shuttle coupled thereto to said first traveling speed.