Patent ID: 8677906

Claim:
A vehicle configured for use on rails of an existing railroad network, the vehicle comprising: a body; first and second wheels connected to the body, wherein: the first and second wheels are spaced apart such that the vehicle is configured to stand on the rails of the existing railroad network; and each wheel is configured without a flange attached thereto that extends below a bottom of the wheel; a first support wheel corresponding to the first wheel; and a second support wheel corresponding to the second wheel, wherein each of the first and second support wheels are selectively configurable to operate in (i) a lowered position, wherein the support wheel extends below the bottom of the corresponding wheel and adjacent to one of the rails, and (ii) a raised position, wherein the support wheel does not extend below the bottom of the corresponding wheel, wherein: an axis of each of the first and second support wheels is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the first and second wheels; and when the vehicle approaches a junction of the railroad network and one of the first and second support wheels is in the lowered position, the support wheel is guided between a space separating (i) a rail of the existing railroad network and (ii) an auxiliary rail positioned adjacent to the rail.