Rail transportable ramps for circus loading standard high semi-trailers on special unit trains

摘要

A ramp car (10) for use in an intermodal train includes a ramp having a set of rail wheels (18) mounted at one end and a connector (22) at the one end for coupling the ramp car (10) to a flat bed rail car (14). A second connector (20), including lifting apparatus, is operatively associated with a second end of the ramp car (10) opposite the one end for coupling the ramp car (10) to a locomotive. A coupling apparatus is provided at the second end of the ramp car (10) for coupling to the locomotive (10) to permit both raising and lowering the second end and pushing and pulling the ramp car (10). The second connector (20) is disconnected from the ramp car (10) when the ramp is in a lowered position. The second connector (20) includes a rotatable pin (26) mounted to the locomotive (12) and extending vertically downward and having a pair of circumferentially spaced shoulders (48) for bearing upwardly against a supporting surface on the ramp car (10) to hold the ramp in a raised position. The pin (26) is rotated to lock the ramp car (10) to the rail car (14).