Rail car positioning system

Abstract

A simplified and reliable apparatus for positioning rail cars at a loading or unloading station is disclosed. A rail car movement carriage traverses carriage guide rails anchored to cross-ties between the rail car rails. The carriage includes an onboard hydraulic system in which a single power cylinder activates crossed pivotally connected rail car axle engaging arms in a precision mode. The carriage also mounts a transverse support arm on one end of which is carried a limit switch and limit switch actuator which responds to contact with the flanges of rail car wheels during reverse travel of the carriage to count wheels and thereby establish a proper starting point for the forward movement of the carriage and activation of the car axle engaging arms. The other end of the carriage mounted cross arm is attached to a foldable feed tray which receives and stabilizes an electrical cable supplying power to a motor and valve of the hydraulic system on the carriage. A programmable controller records the rail car wheel count. When the preselected count has been recorded, reverse movement of the carriage will stop and after a brief time delay interval, the car axle engaging arms will rise into engagement with the adjacent car axle. At this point, an operator assumes control of the carriage forward movement or can select automatic operation.