Patent Publication Number: US-2022234628-A1

Title: Universal hitch intermodal well car system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure relates generally to configuring a railroad car (also referred to as a “railcar”) and, more particularly, to a universal hitch intermodal well car system for converting between a well car for intermodal container transport and a well car adapted to transport semi-trailers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Railroad well cars are configured to store and transport intermodal containers across long distances. Some “all-purpose” well cars are also equipped with hitches, which allow them to carry trailers in addition to intermodal containers. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a system for a well car includes a frame, a hitch, and a first deck. The frame includes a first pair of sockets located near a first end of the frame and a second pair of sockets located near a second end of the frame opposite the first end of the frame. Each socket of the first pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a first pair of support castings located at a first position along a length of a well car. Each socket of the second pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a second pair of support castings located at a second position along the length of the well car. The hitch is coupled to the frame near the first end of the frame. The first deck is coupled to the frame and is configured to hold wheels of a trailer when the trailer is coupled to the hitch. 
     According to another embodiment, a method includes coupling a trailer to a well car system. The well car system includes a frame, a hitch, and a first deck. The frame includes a first pair of sockets located near a first end of the frame and a second pair of sockets located near a second end of the frame opposite the first end of the frame. Each socket of the first pair of sockets is configured to engage a corresponding support casting of a first pair of support castings located at a first position along a length of a well car. Each socket of the second pair of sockets is configured to engage a corresponding support casting of a second pair of support castings located at a second position along the length of the well car. The hitch is coupled to the frame near the first end of the frame. The first deck is coupled to the frame and is configured to hold wheels of a trailer when the trailer is coupled to the hitch. The method also includes inserting the well car system into a well car. Inserting the well car system into the well car includes engaging each support casting of the first pair of support castings with the corresponding socket of the first pair of sockets and engaging each support casting of the second pair of support castings with the corresponding socket of the second pair of sockets. 
     According to a further embodiment, a system includes a well car, a frame, a hitch, and a first deck. The frame includes a first pair of sockets located near a first end of the frame and a second pair of sockets located near a second end of the frame opposite the first end of the frame. Each socket of the first pair of sockets is releasably engaged to a support casting of a first pair of support castings located at a first position along a length of the well car. Each socket of the second pair of sockets is releasably engaged to a support casting of a second pair of support castings located at a second position along the length of the well car. The hitch is coupled to the frame near the first end of the frame. The first deck coupled to the frame and is configured to hold wheels of a trailer when the trailer is coupled to the hitch. 
     Certain embodiments of the well system provide one or more technical advantages. For example, an embodiment enables the use of intermodal well cars for transporting both intermodal containers and semi-trailers. As another example, an embodiment allows the use of a trailer hitch in an intermodal well car without any installation of the hitch, other than placing the system onto the support castings of the well car. As a further example, an embodiment reduces the empty weight and increases the load capacity of a well car that is configured to carry semi-trailers. Certain embodiments may include none, some, or all of the above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example well car system, to which a semi-trailer is attached; 
         FIGS. 2A through 2C  illustrate various views and configurations of the example well car system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A through 3C  illustrate the use of the example well car system of  FIG. 1  to transport a semi-trailer in a well car; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example well car system, to which a pair of semi-trailers may be attached; and 
         FIG. 5  presents a flowchart illustrating a method by which the well car systems of  FIG. 1  and/or  FIG. 4  may be used to transport semi-trailers within a well car. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Railroad well cars are configured to store and transport intermodal containers across long distances. Some “all-purpose” well cars are equipped with hitches, which allow them to carry semi-trailers in addition to intermodal containers. However, when carrying intermodal containers, these all-purpose well cars are less efficient than traditional well cars, due to the weight added by the hitch and any associated structural changes made to the well car to accommodate the hitch. Because of this added weight, all-purpose well cars have a lower load capacity than traditional well cars. 
     This disclosure contemplates a well car system that can be used to convert between a traditional well car for intermodal container transport and a well car adapted to transport semi-trailers. The system includes at least one hitch onto which a trailer can be attached, as well as one or more decks on which the trailer&#39;s wheels may rest. The hitch and deck(s) are both coupled to a frame that is adapted to mount into the well car in a similar manner as an intermodal container—by fitting onto the four support castings of the well car. In this manner, the system (which takes the form of an insert that can be moved into and out of a well car) enables a traditional well car to carry semi-trailers, when needed, without sacrificing the load capacity of the well car when used to transport intermodal containers. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure and its advantages are best understood by referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5  of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example well car insert  100 , to which a semi-trailer  114  is attached. Well car insert  100  includes hitch  102 , hitch platform  104 , wheel decks  110   a  and  110   b , and a support frame that includes first member  112 , second members  106   a  through  106   c , and third members  108   a  through  108   c . First member  112  is designed to span at least a portion of the length of a well car, and to run along the middle of the well car, when well car insert  100  is positioned within the well car. In certain embodiments, first member  112  may include telescoping members, such that first member  112  is adjustable in length to accommodate different sized well cars. Second members  106   a  through  106   c  are attached to first member  112  near a first end of first member  112 . Second members  106   a  through  106   c  are designed to span at least a portion of the width of a well car and to support platform  104 , on which hitch  102  is attached. Platform  104  is shaped such that, when semi-trailer  114  is attached to hitch  102 , the sand shoes of the trailer landing gear  118  of the trailer rest on platform  104 . Third members  108   a  through  108   c  are attached to first member  112  near the second end of first member  112 . Third members  108   a  through  108   c  are designed to span at least a portion of the width of a well car and to support one or more decks  110   a  and  110   b . Decks  110   a  and  110   b  are designed such that, when semi-trailer  114  is attached to hitch  102 , the wheels  116   a  through  116   d  of the semi-trailer rest on the decks. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wheels  116   a  and  116   b  of semi-trailer  114  may rest on first deck  110   a , and wheels  116   c  and  116   d  of semi-trailer  114  may rest on second deck  110   b . The components of well car insert  100  are described in further detail below, in the discussion of  FIGS. 2A through 2C . 
       FIGS. 2A through 2C  present various views of the example well car insert presented in  FIG. 1 . In particular,  FIG. 2A  presents a view of the upper surface of insert  100 , in which hitch  102  is configured in its fully extended, erect position,  FIG. 2B  presents a similar view of the upper surface of insert  100 , but with hitch  102  configured in its collapsed, horizontal position, and  FIG. 2C  presents a view of the lower surface of insert  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , in certain embodiments, each member of the set of second members  106   a  through  106   c  and/or the set of third members  108   a  through  108   c  is centered around first member  112  and extends from either side of first member  112  in a direction generally perpendicular to first member  112 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , a first portion of each of second members  106   a  through  106   c  may extend in a perpendicular direction away from a side of first member  112 , and a second portion of each of second members  106   a  through  106   c  may extend in a perpendicular direction away from the opposite side of first member  112 , such that each of second members  106   a  through  106   c  are approximately centered around first member  112 . Similarly, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , a first portion of each of third members  108   a  through  108   c  may extend in a perpendicular direction away from a side of first member  112 , and a second portion of each of third members  108   a  through  108   c  may extend in a perpendicular direction away from the opposite side of first member  112 , such that each of third members  108   a  through  108   c  are approximately centered around first member  112 . 
     Each of first member  112 , second members  106   a  through  106   c , and third members  108   a  through  108   c , which together form the frame of insert  100 , can be formed from any suitable material. For example, in certain embodiments, one or more of members  112 ,  106   a  through  106   c , and/or  108   a  through  108   c  may be formed from a metal, such as steel. In certain embodiments, one or more of members  112 ,  106   a  through  106   c , and/or  108   a  through  108   c  are hollow. In some embodiments, one or more of members  112 ,  106   a  through  106   c , and/or  108   a  through  108   c  are solid. 
     First member  112 , second members  106   a  through  106   c , and third members  108   a  through  108   c  may be coupled together in any suitable manner to form the frame of insert  100 . As an example, in certain embodiments, first member  112 , second members  106   a  through  106   c , and third members  108   a  through  108   c  are integrally formed as a single piece. For instance, the frame of insert  100  may be formed through a casting process. As another example, in some embodiments, first member  112  may be formed separately from each of second members  106   a  through  106   c , and third members  108   a  through  108   c , which are then coupled to first member  112 . For example, each of second members  106   a  through  106   c  and third members  108   a  through  108   c  may include two separate portions, and each separate portion may be welded or otherwise attached to a side of first member  112  (e.g., the first portion welded to a first side of first member  112 , and the second portion welded to the opposite side of first member  112 ). In some embodiments, each of second members  106   a  through  106   c  and third members  108   a  through  108   c  may be a continuous piece of material and may be welded or otherwise attached to the underside of first member  112 . 
     While  FIGS. 2A through 2C  illustrate the use of a single first member  112 , three second members  106   a  through  106   c , and three third members  108   a  through  108   c , this disclosure contemplates that any number of first members  112 , second members  106   a  through  106   c , and third members  108   a  through  108   c  may be used to form the frame of insert  100 . Additionally, while illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2C  as being straight and having a rectangular cross-section, first member  112 , second members  106   a  through  106   c , and third members  108   a  through  108   c  may be of any suitable geometry. Furthermore, while illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2C  as second members  106   a  through  106   c  and third members  108   a  through  108   c  being perpendicular to first member  112 , each of second members  106   a  through  106   c  and third members  108   a  through  108   c  may be aligned in any manner relative to first member  112  and/or any other of second members  106   a  through  106   c  and third members  108   a  through  108   c.    
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , in certain embodiments, hitch  102  is positioned on insert  100  near a first end of first member  112 , and above the centers of second members  106   a  through  106   c , such that when trailer  114  is attached to insert  100 , trailer  114  and insert  100  may fit within a well car. In certain embodiments, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , hitch  102  sits on a platform  104  that itself is positioned near the first end of first member  112  and above second members  106   a  through  106   c . Platform  104  may be formed from any suitable material and attached to first member  112  and/or second members  106   a  through  106   c  in any suitable manner. As an example, in certain embodiments, platform  104  is formed from metal and is welded to first member  112  and/or second members  106   a  through  106   c . As another example, in certain embodiments, platform  104  may be integrally formed with first member  112  and/or second members  106   a  through  106   c  during a casting process. Platform  104  may be any suitable shape. For example, in certain embodiments, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , platform  104  includes two sections—a rectangular section and a tapered section. The rectangular section of platform  104  is positioned above second members  106   a  through  106   c  and holds hitch  102 . The tapered section is coupled to the rectangular section and extends in a direction towards the longitudinal center of insert  100 , tapering towards first member  112 . Such tapering may be desirable in order to reduce the amount of material used to form platform  104 . In some embodiments, platform  104  may extend the full length and width of insert  100 . For example, platform  104  may include decks  110   a  and/or  110   b . Hitch  102  may be attached to platform  104 , first member  112 , and/or second members  106   a  through  106   c  in any suitable manner. For example, in certain embodiments, hitch  102  is coupled to platform  104  and first member  112  using mechanical fasteners that extend through platform  104  and into first member  112 . 
     Certain embodiments of insert  100  do not include platform  104 . In such embodiments, hitch  102  may be attached directly to first member  112  and/or one or more of second members  106   a  through  106   c . For example, hitch  102  may be coupled to first member  112  and/or one or more of second members  106   a  through  106   c  using mechanical fasteners. In certain such embodiments, first member  112  may be of a suitable width to hold hitch  102 , and to hold the sand shoes of the landing gear  118  of a trailer  114  (as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). In some such embodiments, one or more of second members  106   a  through  106   c  may be of a suitable width and/or located at a suitable position along first member  112  to hold the sand shoes of trailer landing gear  118 . 
     Hitch  102  may be any suitable hitch for use with semi-trailers. For example, while  FIGS. 2A through 2B  illustrate the use of a collapsible hitch, in certain embodiments, hitch  102  is a fixed, non-collapsible hitch. Furthermore, in embodiments in which hitch  102  is collapsible, hitch  102  may be collapsible in any suitable manner. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates collapsible hitch  102  in an erected position. Collapsible hitch  102  includes king pin receiving plate  202 , receiving plate support member  204 , and diagonal support member  206 . These components may be interconnected with any number of pivotal members provided from moving hitch  102  from a collapsed position to an erected position. Kingpin receiving plate  202  is configured to engage a kingpin of a semi-trailer to secure the semi-trailer to the hitch. Kingpin receiving plate  202  is mounted onto a top end of receiving plate support member  204 . In certain embodiments, kingpin receiving plate  202  may be pivotally mounted onto the top end of receiving plate support member  204 . The bottom end of receiving plate support member  204  is secured to the frame of well insert  100 . For example, in certain embodiments, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the bottom end of receiving plate support member  204  is secured to platform  104 . In some embodiments, the bottom end of receiving plate support member  204  is secured to first member  112 , and/or one or more of second members  106   a  through  106   c . In certain embodiments, the bottom end of receiving plate support member  204  is pivotally secured to platform  104  (e.g., through attachment locations  208 ), first member  112 , and/or one or more of second members  106   a  through  106   c . In certain embodiments, receiving plate support member  204  is composed of a single leg. In some embodiments, receiving plate support member  204  is composed of a pair of legs. 
     Receiving plate support member  204  is maintained in its erect position by diagonal support member  206 . Diagonal support member  206  is coupled to receiving plate support member  204  near the top end of receiving plate support member  204 . For example, in certain embodiments in which receiving plate support member  204  is composed of a single leg, diagonal support member  206  may be coupled to the leg of receiving plate support member  204  near the top end of the leg of receiving plate support member  204 . In some embodiments in which receiving plate support member  204  is composed of a pair of legs, diagonal support member  206  may be coupled to receiving plate support member  204  between the pair of legs. For example, in certain such embodiments, diagonal support member  206  may be coupled directly to each leg of the pair of legs of receiving plate support member  204 , by coupling to an inner surface of each leg of the pair of legs, where the inner surface of each leg faces the inner surface of the other leg. As another example, in certain such embodiments, diagonal support member  206  may be coupled to receiving plate support member  204  through a horizontal structure, such as a pin, which spans the distance between the pair of legs, near the top end of receiving plate support member  204 . For example, the horizontal structure may extend through the first leg of receiving plate support member  204 , then through one or more legs of diagonal support member  206 , and then through the second leg of receiving plate support member  204 . In certain embodiments, a top end of diagonal support member  206  is pivotally coupled to receiving plate support member  204  near the top end of receiving plate support member  204 . In certain embodiments, diagonal support member  206  is pivotally coupled to the frame of well insert  100  (e.g., platform  204 , first member  112 , and/or one or more of second members  106   a  through  106   c ) at a bottom end of diagonal support member  206 . 
     In certain embodiments, hitch  102  includes a locking mechanism, such that when diagonal support member  206  is supporting receiving plate support member  204  in its erect position, the locking mechanism may be engaged to maintain receiving plate support member  204  in its erect position. This disclosure contemplates the use of any type of locking mechanism to maintain receiving plate support member  204  in its erect position. As an example, in certain embodiments, the locking mechanism is configured to automatically engage in response to receiving plate support member  204  being moved to its erect position. As another example, in certain embodiments, the locking mechanism may be manually engaged after receiving plate support member  204  is moved to its erect position. As a specific example of a locking mechanism, in certain embodiments, diagonal support member  206  may contain a first leg and a second leg telescoped within the first leg, such that when diagonal support member  206  is in the collapsed position, a first portion of the second leg is within the first leg, and when diagonal support member  206  is maintaining receiving plate support member  204  in its erect position, a second portion of the second leg (that is less than the first portion) is within the first leg. In certain such embodiments, the first leg and the second leg of diagonal support member  206  may each contain a hole running through the legs, such that when maintaining receiving plate support member  204  in its erect position, the hole of the first leg aligns with the hole of the second leg and a locking pin may be inserted through the holes to prevent movement of the second leg within the first leg, thereby locking receiving plate support member  204  in its erect position. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates hitch  102  in a collapsed configuration. Any suitable method may be used to convert between the collapsed configuration of  FIG. 2B , and the erect configuration of  FIG. 2A . As an example, in certain embodiments, hitch  102  is configured to be pulled from a collapsed configuration (as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , for example) to an erect configuration (as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , for example). For example, a hook may be attached to hitch  102  (e.g., attached to kingpin receiving plate  202 ) and used to pull kingpin receiving plate  202 , receiving plate support member  204 , and diagonal support member  206  from a collapsed to an erect position. As another example, in certain embodiments in which diagonal support member  206  includes telescoping legs, one telescoping leg may form an air chamber while the other may form a piston within the air chamber. Receiving plate support member  204  may then be erected from a collapsed position by supplying air to the air chamber. 
     In certain embodiments, once receiving plate support member  204  has been erected and a locking mechanism has been engaged to maintain kingpin receiving plate  202 , receiving plate support member  204 , and diagonal support member  206  in their erect positions, a semi-trailer may be secured to well insert  100 , by engaging a kingpin of the semi-trailer with kingpin receiving plate  202 . After the semi-trailer has been disengaged from kingpin receiving plate  202 , receiving plate support member  204 , diagonal support member  206 , and kingpin receiving plate  202  may be returned to their collapsed positions by disengaging the locking mechanism. In certain embodiments, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , when hitch  102  collapses, kingpin receiving plate  202  moves in a direction towards the center of insert  100 . In some embodiments, when hitch  102  collapses, kingpin receiving plate  202  moves in a direction away from the center of insert  100 . In certain embodiments in which diagonal support member  206  includes telescoping parts which consist of a piston and air chamber, once the locking mechanism has been disengaged, the piston system may cushion the fall of kingpin receiving plate  202 , receiving plate support member  204 , and diagonal support member  206  from their erected positions to their collapsed positions. In certain embodiments, the frame of insert  100  may include a recess into which hitch  102  sits, such that when hitch  102  is in its collapsed configuration, kingpin receiving plate  202  is generally flush with the frame. 
     In addition to the collapsible hitch described above, this disclosure contemplates the use of any other type of hitch coupled to the frame of well car insert  100 . For example, any type of support structure may be used to support kingpin receiving plate  202 , including, in certain embodiments, a support structure that does not include receiving plate support member  204 . As another example, in certain embodiments, the hitch is a fixed hitch rather than a collapsible hitch, such that receiving plate support member  204 , diagonal support member  206  (if present), and kingpin receiving plate  202  are not configured to move when attached to the frame of well insert  100 . As a further example, in certain other embodiments, receiving plate support member  204  is composed of one or more telescoping elements, such that the hitch may telescope vertically, from a low, stored position to a higher working position, where it may then be locked into place for use. 
     When the kingpin of a semi-trailer is engaged with kingpin receiving plate  202 , decks  110   a / 110   b  are used to hold the wheels of the trailer. Decks  110   a / 110   b  may be any suitable size sufficient to accommodate the wheels of conventional semi-trailers. For example, decks  110   a / 110   b  may be of a suitable length to accommodate various lengths of semi-trailers (e.g., both 40 foot semi-trailers and 53 foot semi-trailers). In some embodiments, well car insert  100  may include a single deck  110   a / 110   b  that is configured to hold the wheels on both sides of a semi-trailer. In certain embodiments, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , well car insert  100  includes a pair of decks  110   a  and  110   b , with each deck configured to hold the wheels on one side of a semi-trailer. The use of a pair of decks  110   a  and  110   b  may be desirable to reduce the amount of material that is used to manufacture decks  110   a / 110   b.    
     Deck(s)  110   a/b  may be attached to the frame of insert  100  at any suitable location and in any suitable manner. As an example, in certain embodiments that include two decks  110   a  and  110   b , and as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A through 2C , decks  110   a  and  110   b  are attached to third members  108   a  through  108   c  of insert  100 . For example, deck  110   a  is positioned on top of the portion of each of third members  108   a  through  108   c  that extends from a first side of first member  112 , and deck  110   b  is positioned on top of the portion of each of third members  108   a  through  108   c  that extends from the opposite side of first member  112 . As another example, in certain embodiments that include a single deck  110   a/b , the deck is positioned on top of first member  112 . Deck(s)  110   a/b  may be formed from any suitable material. For example, in certain embodiments, decks  110   a/b  are formed from steel and are welded to the frame of well car insert  100 . In other embodiments, decks  110   a/b  may be cast together with the frame of well car insert  100 , as a single piece of material. 
     Deck(s)  110   a/b  may include one or more features to help prevent a semi-trailer that is connected to insert  100  from moving, while the well car in which insert  100  is installed is in motion. As an example, in certain embodiments, decks  140  may contain ledges  210   a  and  210   b  along the outer edges of decks  110   a  and  110   b . This may be desirable to help prevent the tires of a semi-trailer from falling off of decks  110   a  and/or  110   b , when the kingpin of the semi-trailer is engaged with kingpin receiving plate  105  and the well car in which well car insert  100  is placed is in motion. As another example, decks  110   a/b  may be configured for use with wheel chocks and/or any other suitable tie down system for restraining the movement of one or more wheels of a semi-trailer, when the semi-trailer is connected to insert  100 . For example, decks  110   a/b  may include grating to accommodate wheel chocks that are configured to lock into such grating. 
       FIG. 2C  illustrates the underside of well car insert  100 . In order to couple to a standard railroad well car, well car insert  100  includes a set of sockets  214   a ,  214   b ,  216   a , and  216   b . These sockets are configured to engage the conventional support castings of a well car, such that when each of sockets  214   a/b , and  216   a/b  is engaged to a support casting of the well car, well car insert  100  may be maintained in position on the well car by the force of gravity, without the aid of any mechanical fasteners. In this manner, certain embodiments of well car insert  100  enable easy installation and removal of well car insert  100 , such that a conventional well car for intermodal container transport may be converted to a well car for transporting semi-trailers with minimal effort. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , sockets  214   a/b  and  216   a/b  are located on the underside of the frame of well car insert  100  in two pairs—a first pair of sockets  214   a  and  214   b  are located at a first position along the length of well car insert  100 , and a second pair of sockets  216   a  and  216   b  are located at a second position along the length of the insert. The longitudinal spacing between the first position along the length of the well car insert  100  and the second position along the length of the well car insert  100  is chosen to be approximately equal to the longitudinal spacing between a first pair of well car support castings and a second pair of well car support castings located on a well car in which well car insert  100  is to be placed. For example, the first position along the length of well car insert  100  may be located closer to the hitch  102  than to the decks  110   a/b , while the second position along the length of well car insert  100  may be located closer to the decks  110   a/b  than to the hitch  102 . In certain embodiments in which the frame of well car insert  100  includes first member  112 , second members  106   a  through  106   c , and third members  108   a  through  108   c , the first position may be located along one of second members  106   a  through  106   c  and the second position may be located along one of third members  108   a  through  108   c . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , first pair of sockets  214   a  and  214   b  may be located on second member  106   b , and the second pair of sockets  216   a  and  216   b  may be located on third member  108   b . The horizontal spacing between each socket of the first pair of sockets  216   a/b  and each socket of the second pair of sockets  218   a/b  is configured to be approximately equal to the horizontal spacing between each support casting of the first pair of well car support castings and each support casting of the second pair of support castings, where both pairs of support castings are located on a well car on which well car insert  100  is to be placed. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , socket  214   a  is located near a first end of second member  106   b  and socket  214   b  is located near the opposite end of second member  106   b . Similarly, socket  216   a  is located near a first end of third member  108   b  and socket  216   b  is located near the opposite end of third member  108   b . In such embodiments, second member  106   b  is configured to run along at least a portion of the width of a well car along at a first position along the length of the well car that includes a first pair of support castings. Similarly, third member  108   c  is configured to run along at least a portion of the width of a well car along at a second position along the length of the well car that includes a second pair of support castings. 
     Sockets  214   a/b  and  216   a/b  may be configured to fit on top of the support castings of any standard sized well car, including, for example, well cars that transport containers of lengths 20 feet, 40 feet, 53 feet, or any other length. For example, in certain embodiments different models of well car insert  100  may be produced, each model configured to fit a given length of a well car. In other embodiments, the frame of well car insert  100  may be configured to expand or contract in length in order to accommodate a variety of different lengths of well cars. In certain embodiments, such expansion and/or contraction of well car insert  100  may be accomplished through the use of a telescoping member. For example, first member  112  may be a telescoping member consisting of a first section on which hitch  102  is coupled and a second section on which decks  110   a/b  are located, with the first or second section telescoping into the other section. 
       FIGS. 3A through 3C  illustrate the use of well car insert  100  in a well car  300  to transport a semi-trailer  114 .  FIG. 3A  illustrates the location of support casting  302  on a floor  304  of a conventional well car  300 . While not shown in  FIG. 3A , this disclosure contemplates that a second support casting is located opposite support casting  302  at the same longitudinal location on well car  300  as support casting  302 , and an additional pair of support castings are located on the opposite end of well car  300 . 
       FIG. 3B  presents an example illustrating the positioning of well car insert  100  within a conventional well car  300 . As illustrated, first member  112  of well car insert  100  spans a length of well car  300 , and platform  104  as well as decks  110   a/b  are of a suitable size/width to fit between the sidewalls  306  of well car  300 . As described above, the dimensions of second members  106   a  through  106   c  and third member  108   a  through  108   c  of well car insert  100  are such that, when placed on well car  300 , sockets  214   a/b  and  216   a/b  of well car insert  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2C , fit onto the support castings  302  of well car  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . In certain embodiments, the opening of the space created by each socket  214   a ,  214   b ,  216   a , and/or  216   b , is slightly larger than the size of a conventional well car support casting  302 . In this manner, well car insert  100  may easily fit on top of the well car support castings and may also experience minimal movement about the well car support castings, while the well car is in motion. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , in certain embodiments, well car insert  100  may include a set of pedestals  308 . Each pedestal  308  is positioned on an upper surface of well car insert  100  at a location directly above a socket  214   a ,  214   b ,  216   a , or  216   b  that is positioned on the lower surface of well car insert  100  (as illustrated in  FIG. 2C ). For example, in certain embodiments, a first pair of pedestals  308  may be located on top of platform  104 , and a second pair of pedestals  308  may be located on decks  110   a  and  110   b . In particular, a first pedestal  308  may be positioned on the surface of platform  104  near a first side of the platform, and a second pedestal (obscured in  FIG. 3B  by sidewall  306 ) may be positioned on the surface of platform  104 , at the same longitudinal location as the first pedestal and near the opposite side of the platform. Similarly, a pedestal  308  may be located on the surface of deck  110   a , near the outer edge of the deck, and another pedestal (obscured in  FIG. 3B  by sidewall  306 ) may be positioned on the surface of deck  110   b , at the same longitudinal location as the pedestal on deck  110   a  and near the outer edge of the deck. 
     The presence of pedestals  308  may enable stacking of multiple well car inserts  100  on top of one another. In particular, when hitch  102  is in a collapsed configuration, the sockets  214   a/b  and  216   a/b  of a second well car insert may be configured to engage not only the support castings  302  of a well car  300  but also the pedestals  308  of well car insert  100 . This may be desirable for transporting multiple well car inserts  100  within a single well car  300 , when the inserts are not in use. Additionally, the presence of pedestals  308  may enable stacking of an intermodal container on top of a well car insert  100 , when the well car insert is not in use. 
     In order to engage the sockets of a second well car insert and/or an intermodal container, the vertical height of pedestals  308  should be such that pedestals  308  extend above any other components of well car insert  100 . For example, pedestals  308  should extend past the vertical extent of hitch  102 , when hitch  102  is in its collapsed configuration. In certain embodiments, pedestals  308  have a greater vertical extent than pedestals  308 , located on well car  300 , in order to extend past the vertical extent of collapsed hitch  102 . In some embodiments, when hitch  102  is in its collapsed configuration, the maximum vertical extent of hitch  102  is approximately flush with the upper surface of well insert  100  near pedestals  308  (e.g., hitch  102  is positioned on a surface of well car insert  100  that is recessed as compared with the surface of well car insert  100  near pedestals  308 ). In such embodiments, pedestals  308  may have approximately the same vertical extent as conventional pedestals  302  on well car  300 . 
     In some embodiments, pedestals  308  may be replaced with sockets, and interbox connectors may be used to couple a first well car insert  100  to a second well car insert (or an intermodal container to a well car insert  100 ). For example, an interbox connector may be coupled to each socket that is located on the upper surface of well car insert  100 , thereby creating a pedestal into which a corresponding socket that is located on the underside of another well car insert and/or an intermodal container may fit. Similar to the discussion above, this disclosure contemplates that when sockets are used on the upper surface of well car insert  100 , they are appropriately sized such that when coupled to an interbox connector, the pedestal of the interbox connector is of a sufficient vertical extent to clear the vertical extent of collapsed hitch  102 . 
       FIG. 3C  illustrates the use of well car insert  100  in well car  300  to transport a semi-trailer  114 . For clarity, the side sill  306  of well car  300  (illustrated in  FIG. 3B ) has been removed from  FIG. 3C  such that the hitch  102  of well car insert  100  (composed, in certain embodiments, of king pin receiving plate  202 , receiving plate support member  204 , and diagonal support member  206 ) is visible. As can be seen in  FIG. 3C , when engaged to well car insert  100 , the wheels  116   c/d  of semi-trailer  114 , which are resting on deck  110   b , as well as the landing gear  118  of semi-trailer  114  are contained within the well of well car  100  such that, in certain embodiments, only the container of semi-trailer  114  extends past the side sills of well car  300 . 
     While  FIGS. 1 through 3C  present an example embodiment of well car insert  100  that includes a frame formed from first member  112 , second members  106   a  through  106   c , and third members  108   a  through  108   c ; a platform  104  and hitch  102  located near a first end of the frame; and a pair of decks  110   a  and  110   b  located near the opposite end of the frame, this disclosure contemplates that any structure that includes a hitch  102 , deck(s)  110   a/b  to hold the wheels of a trailer, and sockets  214   a/b  and  216   a/b  that are positioned on the structure such that they are able to engage the pedestals  302  of a conventional well car  300  may be used. For example,  FIG. 4  presents an alternative embodiment of a well car insert  400  that is configured to hold a pair of trailers (e.g., a pair of trailers that are each twenty feet in length). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , similar to well car insert  100 , well car insert  400  includes a hitch  102  positioned on top of a platform  104  and mounted on top of second members  106   a  through  106   c , near a first end of the insert (near the end of first portion  112   a  of first member  112 ). However, rather than being located near the second end of the insert, insert  400  includes a pair of decks  408   a  and  408   b  that are located near the middle of the insert. Decks  408   a  and  408   b  are positioned above a set of third members  410   a  through  410   e  that are positioned on first member  112  such that a first portion  112   a  of first member  112  extends from one end of decks  408   a  and  408   b , and a second portion  112   b  of first member  112  extends from the opposite end of decks  408   a  and  408   b . Well insert  400  may include any number of third members  410   a  through  410   e . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a first portion of each of third members  410   a  through  410   e  may extend in a perpendicular direction away from a side of first member  112 , and a second portion of each of third members  410   a  through  410   e  may extend in a perpendicular direction away from the opposite side of first member  112 , such that each of third members  410   a  through  1410   e  are approximately centered around first member  112 . Third members  410   a  through  410   e  may be coupled to first member  112  in a similar manner as described above, with respect to third members  108   a  through  108   c.    
     A second hitch  402  is located at the second end of insert  400  (near the end of second portion  112   b  of first member  112 ). Second hitch  402  is positioned on top of a platform  404  and mounted on top of second members  406   a  through  406   c , and a portion of second portion  112   b , in a similar manner as described above for first hitch  102 . The orientation of second hitch  402  on insert  400  is rotated 108 degrees as compared with the orientation of first hitch  102 . In this manner, insert  400  is configured to hold a pair of trailers that are positioned end-to-end on insert  400 , such that the wheels of each trailer rest on platforms  408   a  and  408   b , which are positioned in the middle of the insert. Platforms  408   a  and  408   b  are of a suitable length to accommodate the wheels of both trailers. 
     Similar to the discussion of  FIG. 2C , sockets  214   a/b  and  216   a/b  may be coupled to the underside of the frame of well car insert  400 , at suitable locations such that, when insert  400  is inserted into a well car, the sockets are configured to engage the pedestals  302  of the well car. For example, a first pair of sockets may be coupled to the underside of second member  106   b , and a second pair of sockets may be coupled to the underside of second member  406   b.    
       FIG. 5  presents an example method  500  by which well car insert  100 / 400  may be used to transport a semi-trailer  114  within a well car  300 . In step  502  a first well car insert  100 / 400  to which a first semi-trailer  114  is attached is removed from the well car. In certain embodiments, removing insert  100 / 400  from well car  300  includes (1) disengaging the first semi-trailer  114  from the hitch  102  of the first well car insert  100 / 400 , (2) removing the first semi-trailer  114  from well car  300  (e.g., lifting semi-trailer  114  out of well car  300  using a crane), and (3) removing first well car insert  100 / 400  from well car  300  (e.g., lifting well car insert  100 / 400  out of well car  300  using a crane). In certain embodiments, these steps additionally include removing any wheel tie downs, that were used to secure the wheels of the semi-trailer to the decks  110   a/b  of the first insert  100 / 400 . In some embodiments, removing insert  100 / 400  from well car  300  includes removing the insert while semi-trailer  114  is still attached to the insert (e.g., lifting both insert  100 / 400  and semi-trailer  114  out of well car  300  at the same time). In certain embodiments, well car  300  may initially be empty, such that this first step is not performed. In some embodiments, rather than removing a first insert  100 / 400  from well car  300 , step  502  involves removing an intermodal container from well car  300 . 
     In step  504  the kingpin of a second semi-trailer  114  is engaged to a hitch  102  of a second well car insert  100 / 400 . In certain embodiments, step  504  may additionally include securing one or more wheels of the second semi-trailer  114  to the decks  110   a/b  of the well car insert  100 / 400 . In step  506  well car insert  100 / 400 , to which semi-trailer  114  is attached, is placed within well car  300 . This includes engaging the pedestals  302  on well car  300  with corresponding sockets  214   a/b  and  216   a/b  on insert  100 / 400 . 
     In certain embodiments, semi-trailers may be secured to well car inserts  100 / 400  prior to loading into well car  300 , and disengaged from well car inserts  100 / 400  after the insert has been removed from well car  300 . This may increase the efficiency of the loading and unloading processes. 
     In certain embodiments, steps  504  and  506  are performed in the opposite order. For example, well car insert  100 / 400  may first be placed within well car  300 , followed by semi-trailer  114  being placed on top of insert  100 / 400  and secured to insert  100 / 400 . For example, in certain embodiments, well car insert  100 / 400  may be used to convert from a conventional well car for intermodal container transport to a well car for trailer transport. In such embodiments, insert  100 / 400  may be placed into well car  300 , and then left within well car  300  for a period of time while well car  300  is used to transport multiple trailers using well car insert  100 / 400 . 
     Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to method  500  depicted in  FIG. 5 . Method  500  may include more, fewer, or other steps. For example, steps may be performed in parallel or in any suitable order. One or more steps may be performed by an individual, a machine, any other device, or a combination of the preceding. 
     Although the present disclosure includes several embodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications as falling within the scope of the appended claims.