Multimodal Platform for Railcar

Abstract

A multimodal platform is provided for a railcar. The multimodal platform includes a first underframe, a second underframe, a loading platform, and rail wheels. The first underframe carries a first container and the second underframe carries a second container. The second underframe is coupled to the first underframe and coupling the first underframe and the second underframe provides an articulation point. The loading platform is disposed above the articulation point and between a first end of the first container proximate the second container and a second end of the second container proximate the first container. The rail wheels are disposed under the loading platform and coupled to the first underframe and the second underframe. The rail wheels are configured to transport the multimodal platform on rails of a railway.

1 . A multimodal platform for a railcar, comprising:
 first underframe configured to carry a first container;   a second underframe configured to carry a second container, wherein the second underframe is coupled to the first underframe, wherein coupling the first underframe and the second underframe provides an articulation point;   a loading platform disposed above the articulation point and between a first end of the first container proximate the second container and a second end of the second container proximate the first container; and   rail wheels disposed under the loading platform and coupled to the first underframe and the second underframe, wherein the rail wheels are configured to transport the multimodal platform on rails of a railway.   
     
     
         2 . The multimodal platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a movable ramp coupled to the loading platform, wherein the movable ramp extends from the loading platform to an unloading location in a deployed position. 
     
     
         3 . The multimodal platform of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first underframe comprises one of a flat car, a well car, and a spine car; and   the second underframe comprises one of a flat car, a well car, and a spine car.   
     
     
         4 . The multimodal platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a backstop barrier coupled to the loading platform and disposed along a side of the loading platform along a length of the railcar, wherein the backstop barrier in a deployed position obstruct movements on or off of the loading platform in one direction orthogonal to the length of the railcar. 
     
     
         5 . The multimodal platform of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sliding attachments for a container supported on the first underframe or the second underframe, wherein the sliding attachments are configured to attach a bottom portion of the container to one of the first underframe and the second underframe. 
     
     
         6 . The multimodal platform of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more sliding attachments for the container are configured to align a floor of the container with the loading platform. 
     
     
         7 . The multimodal platform of  claim 1 , wherein the first underframe and the second underframe are configured to carry a first container and a second container, wherein the first container is a different type of container than the first second container. 
     
     
         8 . The multimodal platform of  claim 1 , wherein a third container is installed on the loading platform between the first container and the second container, wherein the third container is configured to provide additional storage space or provide ramp access into an upper portion of one or both of the first container and the second container. 
     
     
         9 . The multimodal platform of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first underframe and the second underframe are configured to carry one or more of a trailer or an ISO container. 
     
     
         10 . The multimodal platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a power generator configured to supply power to a refrigeration unit of a container disposed on the first underframe or the second underframe. 
     
     
         11 . The multimodal platform of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of ramps coupled to the loading platform, wherein the pair ramps extend from opposite sides from the loading platform to a pair of unloading locations in a deployed position. 
     
     
         12 . A railcar, comprising:
 a multimodal platform, comprising:   first underframe configured to carry a first container;   a second underframe configured to carry a second container, wherein the second underframe is coupled to the first underframe, wherein coupling the first underframe and the second underframe provides an articulation point;   a loading platform disposed above the articulation point and between a first end of the first container proximate the second container and a second end of the second container proximate the first container; and   rail wheels disposed under the loading platform and coupled to the first underframe and the second underframe, wherein the rail wheels are configured to transport the multimodal platform on rails of a railway;   a first container disposed on the first underframe;   a second container disposed on the second underframe; and   locomotive means to move the railcar on the railway;   wherein:   the first container and second container each comprise an end door, wherein the end doors face each other; and   the first container and the second container are configured to be loaded or unloaded through the end doors and the loading platform to or from a location external to the railcar.   
     
     
         13 . The railcar of  claim 12 , wherein the multimodal platform further comprises a movable ramp coupled to the loading platform, wherein the movable ramp extends from the loading platform to the external location in a deployed position. 
     
     
         14 . The railcar of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the first underframe comprises one of a flat car, a well car, and a spine car; and   the second underframe comprises one of a flat car, a well car, and a spine car.   
     
     
         15 . The railcar of  claim 12 , wherein the multimodal platform further comprises a backstop barrier coupled to the loading platform and disposed along a side of the loading platform along a length of the railcar, wherein the backstop barrier in a deployed position obstruct movements on or off of the loading platform in one direction orthogonal to the length of the railcar. 
     
     
         16 . The railcar of  claim 12 , further comprising one or more sliding attachments for the first container supported on the first underframe, wherein the sliding attachments are configured to attach a bottom portion of the first container to the first underframe. 
     
     
         17 . The railcar of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more sliding attachments for the first container are configured to align a floor of the first container with the loading platform of the multimodal platform. 
     
     
         18 . The railcar of  claim 12 , wherein the first container is a different type of container than the first second container. 
     
     
         19 . The railcar of  claim 12 , wherein one or both of the first underframe and the second underframe are configured to carry one or more of a trailer or an ISO container. 
     
     
         20 . The railcar of  claim 12 , wherein a third container is installed on the loading platform of the multimodal platform between the first container and the second container, wherein the third container is configured to provide additional storage space or provide ramp access into an upper portion of one or both of the first container and the second container.