Calbrandt, Inc.

Bradley J Goldbeck

Calvin J Brandt

Kenneth D Fritz

The present invention provides a reversing train positioning system for engaging and moving a railroad car or trip of cars by engaging a bogey wheel truck frame. The train positioning system includes a dog carriage having a drive motor mounted on the dog carriage which operates to propel the dog carriage back and forth along a single tension chain in a carriage guideway provided alongside a railroad track. The carriage is supplied with electric power and hydraulic fluid from an attached flexible power track system which has a fixed end connected to a source of high pressure hydraulic fluid and a return sump and a source of electric power and a free end attached to move with the carriage. Alternatively, the entire hydraulic system may be carried on board the carriage.

Indexer with self-powered carriage

A reversing chain-operated, dual carriage train indexer is provided with a chain tension control that acts directly on the chain and a retraction-biased, two-position carriage connection cylinder in conjunction with a spring biased linkage system allows indexer operation in either direction with dogs up or down in dual force ranges controlled by the chain tension control.

Indexer carriage chain tension and dog control system

The present invention provides a low clearance, compact guideway, train positioning system that can be installed in close quarters alongside an existing railroad track. The system is chain driven and features an improved over/under or vertical sprocket carriage drive system in which parts normally exposed to the elements are protected while, at the same time, horizontal space requirements alongside the track are reduced. The system employs a vertically oriented chain drive which employs enclosed vertically mounted drive and idler sprocket units and a chain tube enclosing the lower chain strand which further minimizes exposure of the mechanism chain to the elements by totally enclosing the lower chain path in the over/under arrangement.

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Montrose, MN, United States of America

Bradley J Goldbeck