Method and Device for the Transport of Goods by Rail

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method and device are disclosed for the transport of goods by rail, wherein goods wagons are used with independent propulsion means. The propulsion means for the goods wagons are used only for short journeys from a station to a customer and back. For long journeys the goods wagons are assembled into a train and pulled by a tractor vehicle.

1 . A method for transporting goods by rail, wherein goods wagons with their own drive devices are used, the method comprising:
 using the drive devices of the goods wagons only for relatively short distance journeys from a railroad station to a customer and back; and   assembling, for relatively long distance journeys, the goods wagons to form a train which is pulled by a tractor vehicle for long distance journeys.   
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tractor vehicle is a customary locomotive for relatively long distance journeys, and the drive devices of the goods wagons are switched off during the long distance journeys. 
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein goods wagons with and without their own drive device are pulled by the locomotive. 
   
   
       4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, on the goods wagons, the drive devices are supplied by chargeable energy stores. 
   
   
       5 . The method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the chargeable energy stores are charged from the tractor vehicle during the relatively long distance journeys when the goods wagons are coupled to the tractor vehicle. 
   
   
       6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tractor vehicle controls the drive devices of the goods wagons via at least one of a data bus or and a radio link. 
   
   
       7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the drive devices of the goods wagons are remote-controlled for relatively short distance journeys. 
   
   
       8 . A device for transporting goods by rail, wherein goods wagons have their own drive devices, wherein the drive devices of the goods wagons are configured for relatively short distance journeys from a railroad station to a customer and back, and wherein, for relatively long distance journeys, the goods wagons are coupled to a tractor vehicle. 
   
   
       9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the tractor vehicle is a customary locomotive for relatively long distance journeys. 
   
   
       10 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the drive devices of the goods wagons are switchable on and off. 
   
   
       11 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the drive devices of the goods wagons are connected to chargeable energy stores. 
   
   
       12 . The device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the energy stores are connected to the coupled tractor vehicle for the purpose of charging. 
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the tractor vehicle has only a small intrinsic drive power. 
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the tractor vehicle has a control and safety device, connected via at least one of a data bus and a radio link to the drive devices of the goods wagons. 
   
   
       15 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the goods wagons are remote controllable via a remote control system. 
   
   
       16 . The method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein, on the goods wagons, the drive devices are supplied by chargeable energy stores. 
   
   
       17 . The method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein, on the goods wagons, the drive devices are supplied by chargeable energy stores. 
   
   
       18 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the drive devices of the goods wagons are switchable on and off. 
   
   
       19 . The device as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the drive devices of the goods wagons are connected to chargeable energy stores.