Railway system and method to enhance loading and unloading of a railway car

Abstract

A railway system to enhance loading and unloading of at least one railway car. The system comprises at least one sliding surface engageable with a moveable portion of a railway track for moving a first predetermined end of a first railway car to a predetermined position. At least one platform of a predetermined size, height, and grade is disposed adjacent a railway track. The platform has a first end and a second end. The first end is aligned with the first predetermined end of the first railway car when the first railway car is moved to a predetermined position. The first railway car can be loaded and unloaded without removing the first railway car from the railway track.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A railway system to enhance loading and unloading of at least one railway car, said railway system comprising: 
 (a) at least one sliding surface engageable with a moveable portion of a railway track for moving a first predetermined end of a first railway car to a predetermined position; and    (b) at least one platform of a predetermined size, height, and grade disposed adjacent such railway track, said platform having a first end and a second end, said first end being aligned with such first predetermined end of such first railway car when such first railway car is moved to such predetermined position, whereby such first railway car can be loaded and unloaded without removing such first railway car from such railway track.    
     
     
         3 . The railway system according to  claim 1  wherein said moveable portion of such railway track is substantially straight.  
     
     
         4 . The railway system according to  claim 1  wherein a truck of such first railway car is positioned on said moveable portion of such railway track.  
     
     
         5 . The railway system according to  claim 1  wherein said moveable portion is moved at least one of electronically and hydraulically.  
     
     
         6 . The railway system according to  claim 1  wherein said platform is at least one of a ramp and dock.  
     
     
         7 . The railway system according to  claim 1  wherein said height of at least one end of said platform is substantially equal in height to a floor of such first railway car.  
     
     
         8 . The railway system according to  claim 1  wherein such first railway car is a freight car.  
     
     
         9 . The railway system according to  claim 8  wherein such freight car is at least one of a box, automotive, and flat car.  
     
     
         10 . The railway system according to  claim 1  wherein said system further includes at least one said platform engageable with said sliding surface.  
     
     
         11 . The railway system according to  claim 10  wherein said platform engageable with said sliding surface simultaneously moves into a predetermined position when such first railway car is moved to such predetermined position.  
     
     
         12 . The railway system according to  claim 11  wherein said first end of said platform engageable with said sliding surface is aligned with a second predetermined end of a second railway car.  
     
     
         13 . The railway system according to  claim 1  wherein said system includes a plurality of sliding surfaces engageable with moveable portions of such railway track.  
     
     
         14 . The railway system according to  claim 1  wherein said system includes a plurality of stationary platforms and a plurality of platforms engageable with sliding surfaces.  
     
     
         15 . A railway system to enhance loading and unloading of railway cars, said railway system comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of sliding surfaces engageable with moveable portions of a railway track for moving a first predetermined end of such railway cars to a predetermined position; and    b) a plurality of platforms of a predetermined size, height, and grade disposed adjacent such railway track, said platforms having a first end and a second end, said first end being aligned with such first predetermined end of such railway cars when such railway cars are moved to such predetermined position, whereby such railway cars can be loaded and unloaded without removing such railway cars from such railway track.    
     
     
         16 . The railway system according to  claim 15  wherein said height of at least one end of said platforms is substantially equal in height to the floors of such railway cars.  
     
     
         17 . The railway system according to  claim 15  wherein such railway cars are freight cars.  
     
     
         18 . The railway system according to  claim 15  wherein said system further includes a plurality of platforms engageable with said sliding surfaces.  
     
     
         19 . The railway system according to  claim 18  wherein said platforms engageable with said sliding surfaces simultaneously move into a predetermined position when such railway cars are moved to such predetermined position.  
     
     
         20 . The railway system according to  claim 19  wherein said first end of said platforms engageable with said sliding surfaces are aligned with a second predetermined end of such railway cars.  
     
     
         21 . A method to enhance loading and unloading of railway cars, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing at least one sliding surface engageable with a moveable portion of a railway track for moving a predetermined end of a first railway car to a predetermined position;    (b) providing at least one platform of a predetermined size, height, and grade disposed adjacent such railway track, said platform having a first end and a second end;    (c) positioning a truck of said predetermined end of such first railway car on said moveable portion of such railway track;    (d) moving said moveable portion of such railway track to a predetermined position, wherein such truck and such predetermined end of such first railway car move respectively; and    (e) substantially aligning said predetermined end of such first railway car with said first end of said platform; whereby such first railway car can be loaded and unloaded without removing such first railway car from such track.    
     
     
         22 . The method to enhance loading and unloading of railway cars according to  claim 21  wherein step (d) includes moving said moveable portion at least one of electronically and hydraulically.  
     
     
         23 . The method to enhance loading and unloading of railway cars according to  claim 21  wherein said method further includes engaging at least one platform with said sliding surface.  
     
     
         24 . The method to enhance loading and unloading of railway cars according to  claim 23  wherein said method includes simultaneously moving said platform engageable with said sliding surface into a predetermined position when such first railway car is moved to such predetermined position.  
     
     
         25 . The method to enhance loading and unloading of railway cars according to  claim 24  wherein said method includes aligning said first end of said platform engageable with said sliding surface with a second predetermined end of a second railway car.  
     
     
         26 . The method to enhance loading and unloading of railway cars according to  claim 21  wherein said method includes providing a plurality of sliding surfaces engageable with moveable portions of such railway track.  
     
     
         27 . The method to enhance loading and unloading of railway cars according to  claim 21  wherein said method includes providing a plurality of stationary platforms and a plurality of said platforms engageable with sliding surfaces.