Rail/road transport

摘要

A method for transporting road haulage trailers by railway train using carriages having flat load bearing tops (2). The carriages are constructed so that they are on the same level as a railway platform (61) so that trailers (7) may be driven directly onto the carriages from the platforn (61) and decoupled from a prime mover in order that the trailers can be arranged end to end along the train (1). Similarly the trailers may be unloaded by bringing in the train into registry with an unloading platform (91) and driving the trailers directly from the train onto the unloading platform with a prime mover. A series of rollers (62) may be provided to underlie the edges of the flat tops (2) in order to prevent them tilting when the trailers are driven onto the train. Also included is a railway carriage suitable for use in carrying out the above method including: (i) a pair of bogies supporting a flat top; (ii) a stanchion for supporting a road haulage trailer provided on the flat top; and (iii) height adjustment means provided on the railway carriage for lowering wheels of the road haulage trailer below the level of the flat top.