Heyl & Patterson offers train positioners and railcar movers that can precisely move individual railcars or entire trains of up to 200 cars without a locomotive. Train positioners use positioning arms to engage the couplers of each railcar, moving them into place and activating wheel chocks for loading or unloading. They can be installed at the entry or exit end of a station and operated automatically, semi-automatically, or manually. The compact CUBTM railcar mover is designed for moving single cars or small groups of cars and requires low maintenance and investment for small to mid-sized applications.

1. Rack & Pinion Train Positioner and 3D Concept Rendering
Heyl & Patterson Inc. offers a complete line of car movers that provide
state-of-the-art operation and efficiency. Our train movers push or pull
a railcar, string or entire train without locomotive assistance, for a variety
of applications. They offer more capabilities for trainloads both today
and tomorrow.
Train Handling Systems
Heyl & Patterson’s Train Handling Systems can be used for a variety of
loading, unloading and repositioning applications. These machines are
capable of moving a loaded train (from 1-200 cars) for precise distances
at variable speeds. These systems, which can be retrofit into existing
installations, provide fast automatic cycling while minimizing personnel
requirements.
The Train Positioner’s cycle begins with the spotting of railcars within the
travel range of the carriage. In operation, the positioner system:
1) Moves each car into position
2) Actuates wheel chocks
3) Returns to the forward position during loading or unloading
4) Engages train
5) Releases the chocks
6) Indexes the train forward to spot the next railcar
Vintage Photo From Our Archive
ADVANTAGES
■■ Capacities to 300,000-pound
draw bar force, including
grade and curve factors
■■ Entry or exit end
installation
■■ Jaw-type, push-pad or
finger-type carriage arms
■■ Hydraulic or mechanical
arm raising and lowering
■■ Choices of wire rope,
chain or rack-and-pinion
drive
■■ Train holding or
positioning wheel chocks
■■ Bi-directional positioning
option, depending on the
type of positioner head
RAILCAR MOVERS

2. Wire Rope Train Positioner
Side Arm Charger for Wagon Tippler Design
Train Positioners are designed with positioning arms that fit over the couplers of
railcars. These systems can service any application, such as in conjunction with
Heyl & Patterson Rotary Railcar Dumpers.
Positioning Arm and Head
Wire Rope Train Positioner
Train Positioners with a wire rope drive include capacities of up to 150 railcars.
Through inherent force dampening, the wire rope system acts as a shock
absorber, minimizing the effects of train line forces. The automatic hydraulic wire
rope tensioning with an anti-spin feature ensures proper operation and increases
rope life. The wire rope positioner also features an efficient sheave design for the
carriage wire rope haul system, which minimizes moving components and related
maintenance issues.
Rack & Pinion Train Positioner
Train Positioners with a rack & pinion drive provide very robust designs. With
multiple composite drives, redundancy is inherent in the design; If a motor
should become incapacitated, the positioner remains operational. The rack
& pinion positioner is capable of handling up to 200-car trains, and offers the
highest capacity available.
Rack & Pinion Train Positioner

3. Chain Drive Railcar Indexer with Positioning
Arm in Motion
Railcar Indexer
Heyl & Patterson’s Railcar Indexer can be used for a variety of loading, unloading
and other types of applications, such as in conjunction with a Rotary Railcar
Dumper. The Car Indexer is engineered for applications where random railcar
trains require uncoupling. The Indexer moves uncoupled cars into the station for
semi-automatic operation.
As the railcar is being processed, the Indexer reverses its course to engage the
couplings of the next car. The exact sequence of operations will vary according
to whether the Indexer is located at the entry or exit end of the station. In either
situation, the Indexer is designed for automatic, semi-automatic or manual
operation, providing the operator with full control at all times.
Designed to handle up to 30 railcars in a string, Heyl & Patterson’s Car Indexer
is the mover of choice when working with rotary-coupled cars or random car
applications. Easily retrofitted into existing installations, the Car Indexer also
eliminates the need for locomotive assistance during offloading.
ADVANTAGES
■■ Entry or exit end
installation
■■ Jaw-type, push-pad or
finger-type carriage arms
■■ Hydraulic or mechanical
arm raising and lowering
■■ Choices of chain or rack-
and-pinion drive
■■ Train holding or
positioning wheel chocks
■■ Inert or pneumatic
retarders
Chain Drive Railcar Indexer
Rack & Pinion Railcar Indexer

4. Heyl & Patterson Inc. | PO Box 36, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15230
PHONE 412-788-9810 | 24-HOUR EMERGENCY HOTLINE 412-788-9811 | FAX 412-788-9822
EMAIL info@heylpatterson.com | www.heylpatterson.com
CUB™ Railcar Mover
The Heyl & Patterson CUB™ is an electromechanical machine specifically
designed to move single railcars or groups of cars. The CUB™ is easy to
install, easy to operate and far less costly than larger systems, making it the
ideal solution for small to mid-sized loading, unloading and repositioning
applications.
The compact sturdy construction of the CUB™ ensures safe, reliable
operation and requires very little maintenance.
The CUB™ moves along a steel runway utilizing two traveling carriage
assemblies that ride on antifriction bearings. Two pivoting arms securely
capture the railcar truck frame to move the car(s). A variable speed motor
drive powers a chain and sprocket arrangement, which allows the CUB™ to
travel in a swift bi-directional manner.
The CUB™ can be easily installed at any site without disrupting the current
state of operation. The runway for the CUB™ is bolted to the track ties
adjacent to the track rail. The mechanical drive, which is installed next to the
track, requires only a modest concrete pad. Each system is custom designed
for the user’s unique application and offers various travel speeds and car
capacities to establish the most efficient mode of operation.
Advantages
■■ Fast Setup
■■ Requires only one
operator
■■ Low maintenance
requirements
■■ Lower investment and
operating costs
■■ Environmentally sound
■■ Built-in safety features
■■ Available in 5, 10 and 15
horsepower
CUB™ Drive System
CUB™ Railcar Mover in Operation
CUB™ Carriage Assembly
CUB™ Railcar Mover with Trucks Engaged