Methods and systems for transporting wind turbine components

A method for at least one of supporting and transporting at least one unitary load, said method comprising:

• providing a plurality of adjacent railcars comprising providing a first railcar, the first railcar comprising spaced first and second wheel assemblies each including at least one wheel pair;
• coupling a first frame to the first railcar, the first frame having a first frame space defined between at least two portions of the first frame, the first frame comprising at least one first frame cushion extending into and selectively positionable within the first frame space, the at least one first frame cushion hingedly coupled to the first frame;
• receiving a first portion of the at least one unitary load within the first frame space;
• coupling a separate second frame to the first railcar, the second frame having a second frame space defined between at least two portions of the second frame, the second frame comprising at least one second frame cushion extending into and selectively positionable within the second frame space, the at least one second frame cushion hingedly coupled to the second frame;
• and
• receiving a second portion of the at least one unitary load within the second frame space, wherein coupling a first frame to the first railcar comprises substantially centering the first frame over the at least one wheel pair of the first wheel assembly, and wherein coupling a second frame to the first railcar comprises spacing the second frame away from the first frame to facilitate at least one of partially containing and partially supporting the at least one unitary load, and substantially centering the second frame over the at least one wheel pair of the second wheel assembly.

A method for at least one of supporting and transporting at least one rotor blade, said method comprising:

• providing a plurality of adjacent railcars comprising providing a first railcar, the first railcar comprising spaced first and second wheel assemblies each including at least one wheel pair;
• coupling a first frame to the first railcar, the first frame having a first frame space defined between at least two portions of the first frame, the first frame comprising at least one cushion extending into and selectively positionable within the first frame space, the at least one first frame cushion hingedly coupled to the first frame;
• receiving a first portion of the at least one rotor blade within the first frame space;
• coupling a separate second frame to the first railcar, the second frame having a second frame space defined between at least two portions of the second frame, the second frame comprising at least one second frame cushion extending into and selectively positionable within the second frame space, the at least one second frame cushion hingedly coupled to the second frame;
• and
• receiving a second portion of the at least one rotor blade within the second frame space, wherein coupling a first frame to the first railcar comprises substantially centering the first frame over the at least one wheel pair of the first wheel assembly, and wherein coupling a second frame to the first railcar comprises spacing the second frame away from the first frame to facilitate at least one of partially containing and partially supporting the at least one rotor blade, and substantially centering the second frame over the at least one wheel pair of the second wheel assembly.