Abstract: A railroad freight car that may include multiple units, the body of at least one unit including a container well for carrying intermodal freight containers, the body including a pair of side sills generally of closed box beam configuration with holes and reinforcing rings and with longitudinally extending reinforcing members in the top or bottom, or both, of the beams. The ends of the longitudinally extending reinforcing members are tapered and have their extremities attached to a portion of a side sill web spaced apart from the extreme top or bottom members of the beam.

Abstract: A method for preparing and assembling parts of a skin for a curved structure, and apparatus for use in connection therewith. A gantry may be used to carry cutting torches and welder heads along predetermined paths to cut skin plates accurately into skin parts and to weld the skin parts together again after they have been fastened to internal frame elements.

Abstract: A railroad car utilizing the maximum width and height allowed by the proposed American Association of Railroads proposed clearance Plate K and including body bolster having a top cover plate at a vertical height lower than a height of a stub sill top cover plate adjacent to a striker. The car fits within the profile of the proposed clearance Plate K by including a stepped lower portion in a side assembly. The stub sill top cover plate ramps down to abut the lower height of the body bolster top cover plate. this ramping allows for an increased height of a lower deck of the rail road car longitudinally closer to an end sill than on previous railroad cars.