Long rail transport train

A consist of flatcars for transporting continuous rail sections greater in length than a single flatcar, and adapted for top loading and end unloading of the rail sections, the consist comprising:

• a tie-down flatcar having a rail securement rack fixed thereto that includes a support frame having plural rail clamping shelves supported therefrom, wherein a portion of said rail clamping shelves are moveably engaged with said support frame between a first position enabling the placement of the rail sections from above the consist, and a second position generally orthogonal to the rail sections to facilitate support thereof, and wherein said rail clamping shelves include plural rail clamps positioned to engage and retain the rail sections in place during transit of the consist;
• plural support flatcars engaged in the consist with said tie-down flatcar, wherein each of said plural support flatcars has a roller rack fixed thereto that includes plural roller shelves that each comprise plural rollers to engage and support the rail sections in a manner to enable movement of the rail sections along a longitudinal axis of the consist, and wherein
• said plural roller shelves are pivotally mounted to said roller racks between a loading position that provides clearance for placement of the rail sections from above the consist, and a transport position generally orthogonal to the rail sections to facilitate support thereof during transit and unloading of the consist.

A method of transporting continuous rail sections that are greater in length than a single flatcar, utilizing a consist of plural rail flatcars, which includes a tie-down flatcar and plural support flatcars, wherein the tie-down flatcar has a rail securement rack fixed thereto having a support frame for supporting a stack of plural rail clamping shelves that each include plural rail clamps, and wherein the plural support flatcars each have a roller rack fixed thereto having a stack of plural roller shelves pivotally coupled thereto that each include plural rollers to engage and support the continuous rail sections to enable longitudinal movement of the continuous rail sections, the method comprising the steps of:

• removing the rail clamping shelves from the support frame;
• pivoting open the stacks of plural roller support shelves to loading positions that provide clearance for placement of the continuous rail sections from above;
• setting, from above the consist, the plural continuous rail sections on the rail securement rack and the roller racks of the plural support flatcars;
• replacing a rail clamping shelf to the stack of plural rail clamping shelves;
• closing a roller shelf in each of the stacks of plural roller shelves by pivoting to positions orthogonal to the continuous rail sections, thereby enabling the support of another layer of continuous rail sections;
• repeating said setting, replacing, and closing steps until all of the stack of plural rail clamping shelves have been set and until the stack of plural roller shelves have been closed;
• clamping the continuous rail sections to the rail securement rack by engaging the plural rail clamps with the plural continuous rail sections;
• transporting the consist to a destination;
• unclamping the continuous rail sections from the rail securement rack by disengaging the plural rail clamps from the plural continuous rail sections, and
• pulling the plural continuous rail sections from an end of the consist.

A rail securement rack for a tie down flatcar useful in a consist of flatcars for transporting plural continuous rail sections, the rail securement rack comprising:

• a support frame, vertically oriented and adapted for fixed connection to the tie-down flatcar;
• a rail sill fixed adjacent a lower portion of said support frame, for supporting plural rail sections on an upper surface thereof;
• plural rail clamping shelves configured to selectively engage said support frame in a stacked manner above said rail sill, and wherein each of said plural rail clamping shelves further comprise:
• a) a rail shelf having an upper surface for supporting plural rail sections;
• b) a rail clamp assembly attached to said rail shelf for retainably engaging plural rail sections therebelow, each rail clamp assembly further comprising:
• i) a clamp carriage having a ramp surface, and having plural rail clamps attached to a lower portion thereof for engaging the plural rail sections, and
• ii) a ramp drive assembly, disposed between said rail shelf and said clamp carriage, which includes a ramp drive actuator and a ramp driver arranged to engage said ramp surface such that actuation of said ramp drive actuator urges said plural rail clamps to retainably engage the plural rail sections, and
• a cap rail clamp having like configuration as said rail clamp assembly, including said clamp carriage and said ramp drive assembly, but omitting an upper surface for supporting plural rail sections.

A roller support rack for a support flatcar having a deck, useful in a consist of flatcars for transporting plural continuous rail sections, the roller support rack comprising:

• a first rack support and a second rack support, both vertically oriented, and adapted for fixed connection to the support flatcar;
• a roller sill disposed between said first rack support and said second rack support, and adjacent the support flatcar deck, having plural rollers disposed on an upper surface thereof for supporting the plural continuous rail sections;
• plural roller shelves arranged in a vertical stack and pivotally supported from said first rack support about a vertical axis, each pivotable between an open position that enables loading of the plural continuous rail sections, from above, between said first and second rack supports, and a closed position where a distal end of each roller shelf engages said second rack support, and wherein each roller shelf further includes;
• a) plural rollers located upon an upper surface thereof to engage and support the plural continuous rail sections thereupon, and thereby enable longitudinal movement of the plural continuous rail sections supported thereby, and
• b) a means for fastening disposed at said distal end, and adapted to fasten to said second rack support.