Importance

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Abstract

A truck tractor adapted for use on railways to tow one or more railcars while retaining the capability to tow highway trailers. A beam assembly with a railcar hitch on the back and a hitch pin underneath the front is latched to the hitch coupler of the truck tractor when used to tow railcars. The beam assembly rests on the rear of the truck tractor frame. A set of hydraulically retractable railway wheels is used to guide the rear drive wheels while on the rails. The front of the truck tractor is equipped with a set of retractable railway wheels which are used to lift the front steering axle of the truck tractor clear of the railroad rails and to raise and lower the railcar hitch for transfer of weight of the first railcar being towed to the drive wheels of the truck tractor. To resume highway operations the rail wheels are retracted and the beam assembly is unlatched from the hitch coupler and removed from the truck tractor.

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First Claim