Patent ID: 8690511
Filing Date: 2014-04-08
Classification: B61B,B61D,B65G,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for turning a container train on a train track in a terminal, the method comprised of: staging an outbound container in a containment cavity of a pre-assigned outbound buffer located along side the train track at an angle of at least ten or more degrees with respect to the train track; receiving an inbound container via an inbound railroad car to a terminal having the train track; removing, with a container picking device, the inbound container from the inbound railroad car; placing the inbound container in a containment cavity of a pre-assigned inbound buffer proximal to the outbound buffer located along side the train track at an angle of at least ten or more degrees with respect to the train track, said inbound and outbound buffers comprised of a plurality of stanchions defining their respective containment cavity, each of said plurality of stanchions having an elevation device and a side latch for engaging one of the inbound and outbound containers; securing the inbound container to each of the plurality of stanchions defining the containment cavity of the inbound buffer; releasing the inbound container from the picking device; aligning the picking device with the outbound container; removing, with the picking device, the outbound container from the outbound buffer; and placing the outbound container on an outbound railroad car.