Abstract: A railcar frame includes a first side sheet assembly. The first side sheet assembly includes a first side sheet, a first top chord, and a first side sill. The first side sheet includes one or more truss structures formed within the first side sheet by removing a plurality of portions of the first side sheet according to a pattern. The first side sheet has a length along a first axis and a width along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first top chord is welded to a top portion of the first side sheet along the first axis. The first side sill is welded to a bottom portion of the first side sheet along the first axis opposite the first top chord.

Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises an underframe and at least one hopper. The hopper is configured to transport a lading material. A longitudinal sliding gate assembly is coupled to the hopper and comprises: a pair of side walls coupled to a pair of end walls forming a discharge opening; a pair of tracks, one coupled to each end wall; a sliding gate slidably coupled to the pair of tracks; and a threaded drive screw coupled to the sliding gate and to the pair of side walls. Rotation of the threaded drive screw in a first direction moves the sliding gate along the tracks to an open position that permits the lading material to discharge, and rotation of the threaded drive screw in an opposite direction moves the sliding gate along the tracks to a closed position that restricts the lading material from discharging.

Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first deck, and a second deck. The second deck is positioned within the railcar above the first deck. The second deck includes a first portion, a second portion coupled to a first end of the first portion, and a third portion coupled to a second end of the first portion opposite the first end. The second and third portions can move towards a center of the first portion such that the first portion is positioned above or beneath the second and third portions.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a first well component supported by a first railcar truck and a second railcar truck. The first well component is disposed between the first railcar truck and the second railcar truck. The length of the first well component is restricted to transport an intermodal shipping container no longer than twenty feet in length. In particular embodiments, the first well component is configured to transport a double stack of twenty-foot intermodal shipping containers. Each twenty-foot shipping container of the double stack may be loaded to maximum weight of 67,000 pounds. Particular embodiments include an articulated railcar with two or more twenty-foot well components.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.

Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first deck, and a second deck. The second deck is positioned within the railcar above the first deck. The second deck includes a first portion, a second portion coupled to a first end of the first portion, and a third portion coupled to a second end of the first portion opposite the first end. The second and third portions can move towards a center of the first portion such that the first portion is positioned above or beneath the second and third portions.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system includes a strap assembly configured to be positioned on a portion of a tire of a vehicle to secure the vehicle to a track assembly. The strap assembly is also configured to be coupled to the track assembly on a first side of the tire. The system also includes a mandrel assembly operable to be coupled to the strap assembly on a second side of the tire, opposite the first side of the tire. The mandrel assembly is configured to engage the track assembly through a first hole in the track assembly. The system further includes a latch assembly configured to be coupled to the mandrel assembly. The latch assembly is also configured to create a coupling between the mandrel assembly and the track assembly.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a railcar door for accessing an interior of the railcar, and a storage box comprising an access opening. The storage box is disposed such that when the railcar door is in a closed position, the railcar door prevents access to the storage box access opening, and when the railcar door is in an open position, the storage box access opening is accessible. In some embodiments the railcar door comprises a double door, and the storage box comprises a first portion coupled to a first door and a second portion coupled to a second door and adjacent to the first portion of the storage box. The first portion of the storage box prevents access to the second portion when the double doors are in a closed position. In some embodiments, the storage box is recessed into the railcar floor beneath the railcar door.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a fastener, and a cushion. The panel is coupled to a side of a railcar. The fastener engages the panel. A vertical position of the fastener on the panel is adjustable. The cushion is coupled to the fastener. The cushion extends from the side of the railcar towards an interior of the railcar and prevents the side of the railcar from contacting an object stored in the railcar.

Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first side screen, a second side screen, and an adjustment system. The railcar includes a roof section. The first side screen is coupled to a side of the railcar. The second side screen is coupled to the side of the railcar. The second side screen overlaps a portion of the first side screen. The adjustment system is coupled to the railcar and is operable to adjust a vertical position of the roof section.

Abstract: A system includes a railcar, a first deck, and a second deck. The second deck is positioned within the railcar above the first deck. The second deck includes a first portion, a second portion coupled to a first end of the first portion, and a third portion coupled to a second end of the first portion opposite the first end. The second and third portions can move towards a center of the first portion such that the first portion is positioned above or beneath the second and third portions.

Abstract: A system for restraining a vehicle includes a deck of a transport. The deck includes a track assembly comprising a plurality of plates. The system also includes a strap assembly configured to secure a vehicle to the deck of the transport. The strap assembly is also configured to be coupled to the deck of the transport through a first plate of the plurality of plates of the track assembly and a second plate of the plurality of plates of the track assembly.

Abstract: A system includes a strap assembly positioned on a portion of a tire of a vehicle and configured to be coupled to a deck of a transport, and a mandrel assembly operable to be coupled to the strap assembly. The system also includes a winch assembly configured to be coupled to the deck of the transport including a winch assembly axel configured to be coupled to the mandrel assembly. The winch assembly is configured to engage the winch assembly axel to prevent rotation of the mandrel assembly in a first rotational direction to produce a tension force to secure the strap assembly around the portion of the tire. The system further includes a tightening assembly configured to rotate the mandrel assembly in a second rotational direction to produce a tightening force to tighten the strap assembly around the portion of the tire. The system additionally includes a release mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system includes a strap assembly configured to be positioned on a portion of a tire of a vehicle to secure the vehicle to a track assembly. The strap assembly is also configured to be coupled to the track assembly on a first side of the tire. The system also includes a mandrel assembly operable to be coupled to the strap assembly on a second side of the tire, opposite the first side of the tire. The mandrel assembly is configured to engage the track assembly through a first hole in the track assembly. The system further includes a latch assembly configured to be coupled to the mandrel assembly. The latch assembly is also configured to create a coupling between the mandrel assembly and the track assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system includes a strap assembly configured to be positioned on a portion of a tire of a vehicle to secure the vehicle to a track assembly. The strap assembly is also configured to be coupled to the track assembly on a first side of the tire. The system also includes a mandrel assembly operable to be coupled to the strap assembly on a second side of the tire, opposite the first side of the tire. The mandrel assembly is configured to engage the track assembly through a first hole in the track assembly. The system further includes a latch assembly configured to be coupled to the mandrel assembly. The latch assembly is also configured to create a coupling between the mandrel assembly and the track assembly.

Abstract: A system includes a strap assembly positioned on a portion of a tire of a vehicle and configured to be coupled to a deck of a transport, and a mandrel assembly operable to be coupled to the strap assembly. The system also includes a winch assembly configured to be coupled to the deck of the transport including a winch assembly axel configured to be coupled to the mandrel assembly. The winch assembly is configured to engage the winch assembly axel to prevent rotation of the mandrel assembly in a first rotational direction to produce a tension force to secure the strap assembly around the portion of the tire. The system further includes a tightening assembly configured to rotate the mandrel assembly in a second rotational direction to produce a tightening force to tighten the strap assembly around the portion of the tire. The system additionally includes a release mechanism.

Abstract: A method comprising removing a roof from a railcar, the railcar comprising a plurality of top chords, coupling an outer portion of a replacement roof to one or more of the plurality of top chords, the outer portion comprising a frame and a first plurality of panels, and coupling an inner portion of the replacement roof to the frame of the outer portion of the replacement roof after coupling the outer portion to one or more of the plurality of top chords, the inner portion comprising a second plurality of panels.

Abstract: A system for covering a railcar includes a first set and a second set of structural members coupled to a railcar. The structural members are configured to move between a loading position, an unloading positing, and a covered position. The system includes a plurality of cover portions, each coupled to a structural member of the first set and a structural member of the second set. In the loading position, at least one of the first set and at least one of second set are proximate longitudinal sides of the railcar. In the unloading position, at least one of the first set and at least one of second set are proximate a longitudinal center line of the railcar. In the covered position, the first set are proximate the longitudinal center line of the railcar, and the second set are proximate the longitudinal sides of the railcar.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system includes a strap assembly configured to be positioned on a portion of a tire of a vehicle to secure the vehicle to a track assembly. The strap assembly is also configured to be coupled to the track assembly on a first side of the tire. The system also includes a mandrel assembly operable to be coupled to the strap assembly on a second side of the tire, opposite the first side of the tire. The mandrel assembly is configured to engage the track assembly through a first hole in the track assembly. The system further includes a latch assembly configured to be coupled to the mandrel assembly. The latch assembly is also configured to create a coupling between the mandrel assembly and the track assembly.