Rail cars for intermodal train

A platform of a train segment comprising:

• a. on opposite ends of said platform there being provided, respectively,
• at least one bearing shoe adjacent each of each of left and right side sills of said platform;
• and
• at least one bearing shelf adjacent each of said left and right side sills and extending beyond said platform;
• and
• b. said at least one bearing shoe and at least one bearing shelf adapted to cooperate with at least one bearing shelf and at least one bearing shoe, respectively, on an end of a platform connectable adjacent thereto to provide rock and roll stabilization therebetween.

A platform of a train segment comprising:

• a. a first slotted configuration on a first end of said platform;
• b. a second slotted configuration on a second end of said platform;
• c. said first slotted configuration matable in an interleaved relationship with said second slotted configuration on a second end of an adjacent platform such that when a curved track section is traversed adjacently connected platforms do not scrape against each other;
• d. said second slotted configuration matable in an interleaved relationship with a first slotted configuration on a first end of an adjacent platform such that when a curved track section is traversed adjacently connected platforms do not scrape against each other and
• e. wherein said first and second ends of said platform are each supportable by a truck, and each of said first and second ends extend over top of said truck when supported thereby such that when said first and second ends of said platform are coupled adjacent to said matable second and first ends of adjacent platforms, mating ends of said adjacent platforms bridge said truck.

A platform of a train segment comprising:

• a. a wide box beam center sill;
• b. a left side sill and a right side sill;
• c. support gussets connected from said left and right side sills to said wide box beam center sill such that vertical loads from said left and right side sills are transferred into said wide box beam center sill;
• d. a ramp connected to an end of said platform, said ramp movable between a stored position and a loading position, said loading position providing access from ground level to said platform such that objects may be easily transported onto and off from said platform via said ramp;
• e. said wide box beam center sill having spaced apart sides, a top plate connecting said spaced apart sides, and an open bottom, said spaced apart sides having bottom flanges at said open bottom;
• and
• f. said gussets welded to the full height of said spaced apart sides from said left and right side sills.

A platform of a train segment comprising:

• a. at least one bearing shoe on at least one end of said platform, said at least one bearing shoe cooperable with at least one bearing shelf at an end of a platform connected adjacent said at least one end to provide rock and roll stabilization therebetween;
• b. a ramp portion at an end of said platform opposite said at least one end, said ramp portion movable between a stored position and a loading position, said loading position providing access from ground level to said platform such that objects may be easily transported onto and off from said platform via said ramp;
• c. said platform having a left side sill and a right side sill;
• d. said at least one bearing shoe is a pair of bearing shoes, one of said pair connected to said left side sill and the other of said pair connected to said right side sill;
• and
• e. each of said pair of bearing shoes cooperable with a respective bearing shelf connected to each of left and right side sills of said adjacently connected platform.

A platform of a train segment comprising:

• a. a first slotted configuration on at least one end of said platform, said first slotted configuration matable in an interleaved relationship with a second slotted configuration on a platform connected adjacent said at least one end such that when said adjacently connected platforms traverse a curved track section said interleaved platforms do not scrape against each other;
• b. said at least one end of said platform supportable by a truck and extends over top of said truck when supported thereby, such that when first slotted configuration mates with said second slotted configuration mating ends of the adjacent platforms bridge said truck;
• and
• c. a ramp portion at an end opposite said at least one end, said ramp portion movable between a stored position and a loading position, said loading position providing access from ground level to said platform such that objects may be easily transported onto and off from said platform via said ramp.

A train segment comprising:

• a. a plurality of platforms;
• b. a first one of said plurality of platforms having a coupler and a first truck on at least one end thereof;
• c. a last one of said plurality of platforms having at least one downwardly sloped portion and a second truck on at least one end thereof, and a ramp portion having a first end connected adjacent a distal end of said sloped portion and a second end, said ramp portion movable between a stored position and a loading position at which said second end extends substantially to ground level;
• and
• d. at least one of said plurality of platforms having a third truck on at least one end thereof and being connected intermediate said first and last ones of said plurality of platforms.

An apparatus for facilitating the loading and unloading of a rail vehicle, said rail vehicle having a coupler movably connected to an end thereof, said apparatus comprising:

• a. a ramp having a first end movably connected to said end of said rail vehicle said ramp movable between a raised position and a lowered position at which an end of said ramp extends substantially to ground level;
• b. a ramp actuator supported by said end of said rail vehicle;
• c. said ramp actuator cooperable with said ramp to selectively raise and lower said ramp by causing said ramp to move about said movably connected first end;
• and
• d. wherein said coupler is caused to be lowered when said ramp is lowered and caused to be raised when said ramp is raised.

A rail vehicle comprising:

• a. a platform;
• b. a truck on at least one end of said platform;
• c. a coupler provided on said at least one end, said coupler movable between a raised position and a lowered position;
• d. said platform having at least one downwardly sloping portion at said end having said coupler;
• e. said platform having a ramp provided at said end having said coupler, said ramp having a first end movably connected adjacent a distal end of said downwardly sloping portion, said ramp movable between raised and lowered positions at which a second end of said ramp extends substantially to around level;
• and
• f. wherein said coupler is lowered when said ramp is lowered and raised when said ramp is raised, and said lowered position of said coupler provides clearance between said coupler and said ramp when said ramp is in said lowered position.

A rail vehicle comprising:

• a. a platform;
• b. a truck on at least one end of said platform;
• c. a coupler provided on said at least one end, said coupler movable between raised and lowered positions;
• d. said platform having a ramp provided at said end having said coupler, said ramp movable between a raised position and a lowered position at which an end of said ramp extends substantially to ground level;
• and
• e. wherein said coupler is caused to be lowered when said ramp is lowered and caused to be raised when said ramp is raised.