High productivity integral train-Phase I testing of New York Air Brake Company `Iron Highway´

The high-productivity integral train (HPIT) project was initiated in April, 1984, and the New York Air Brake (NYAB) Company proposed an intermodal train concept called Iron Highway. The concept consists of a 1000 ft continuous platform (element) supported by single axle trucks every 28 ft at an articulated joint. A control and power unit provides power at each end of an element to the first five axles. The truck suspension is unique in that at each articulated joint an air-spring connects the truck to the carbody. The nonpowered axles at each truck have independently rotating wheels and steering links to reduce rolling resistance and guide the truck radially through curves. Another innovative feature of the concept, and a potentially very advantageous one, is the freedom to load and unload trailers of any length on the platforms using movable hitches and a low deck side center platform loading scheme