Device, system and method for ground line haul

A system for transporting freight articles by ground and/or rail haul modes, comprising:

• (a) a terminal configured to load or unload rail cars on one side and load or unload trailers on an opposite side thereof;
• (b) an apparatus comprising:
• (i) a frame including a top member and two side members defining, in a combination with each other, a U-shaped configuration of said frame,
• (ii) two wheel axles, each attached to a lower end of a respective side member of said frame,
• four wheel members, each attached to an end of one of said two axles with pivoting link members for pivoting about a horizontal plane, and
• (iii) a linkage arrangement including a horizontally disposed member, two vertically disposed members, each supported by a pair of support members attached, in a vertical spaced-apart relationship with each other, to one side of said frame, a first pivotal connection between each end of said horizontally disposed member and an upper end of each vertically disposed member so that said horizontally disposed member pivots in a horizontal plane, a tow bar, a second pivotal connection between a proximal end of said tow bar and a lower support member at one side member of said frame, and a receptacle attached to one axle at an opposite side member of said frame, said receptacle is configured to couple with a free distal end of another tow bar, and
• said linkage arrangement enabling a pivotal movement or a turn of said frame relative to another frame being coupled to said frame in a serial arrangement therewith;
• and
• (c) locking members pivotally attached to said frame, adjacent a bottom end thereof, and engageable with a device to be received within said frame, said locking members operable to move said device in a vertical direction.

A system for transporting freight articles by ground and/or rail haul modes, comprising:

• (a) a plurality of hub terminals;
• (b) a plurality of spoke terminals, each spoke terminal from said plurality of spoke terminals linked with at least one hub terminal, said each spoke terminal of said plurality of spoke terminals being configured to load or unload rail cars on one side and load or unload trailers on an opposite side thereof;
• and
• (c) one or more apparatuses comprising a U-shaped frame, wheels attached to each side of said frame, a tow bar pivotally attached to one side of said frame and a receptacle attached to an opposite side of said frame and configured to mate with a distal end of said tow bar, a linkage arrangement enabling turning and/or pivoting of said frame, locking members pivotally attached to said frame, adjacent a bottom end thereof, and engageable with a device to be received within said frame, said locking members operable to move said device in a vertical direction.