APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPORTING A SEMI-TRAILER ON A RAILCAR

A retractable stanchion for supporting a semi-trailer during transport on a deck of a railcar is provided. The stanchion includes a rear guide support assembly, a diagonal support strut coupled to said rear guide support assembly, and a vertical support strut operatively connected to said diagonal support strut. The vertical support strut an outer frame, an inner frame, and a moveable pull-u p assembly. The outer frame includes an outer frame first end and an outer fra me second end. The outer frame first end is pivotally mounted to the deck of th e railcar. The inner frame is coupled to and disposed within the outer frame. The moveable pull-up assembly includes a pull-up assembly first end and a pull-up assembl y second end, wherein the pull-up assembly first end is pivotally coupled to and substantially disposed within the inner frame, and wherein the pull-up assembly is configured to be engaged by a tractor hook and moved from an engagement position to a pull position. The pull position facilitates rotating the vertical support strut from a fir st horizontal retracted position to a second vertical erected position.