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 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 railcar system includes a railcar bed and a beam structure positioned on the railcar bed. The beam structure comprises a plurality of support beams spaced apart vertically and positioned on the railcar bed such that a longitudinal axis of each support beam is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the railcar bed. Each support beam comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The beam structure includes a first set of support sheets each coupled to the first side of at least one respective support beam and a second set of support sheets each coupled to the second side of at least one respective support beam.

Abstract: An aerator pad assembly having an aeration pad with a number of cutouts forming a shaped perimeter, is provided. The aeration pad may include a number of supports providing which provide air flow paths between the aeration pad and an associated aeration panel. A gasket may be disposed about the shaped perimeter, the gasket having a plurality of protuberances with fastener openings included, and the protuberances preferably cooperate with the cutouts to form a generally continuous interface between them. In one embodiment, a notched opening within the gasket is provided at the generally continuous interface with the shaped perimeter at least partially occupying a portion of the notched opening. In a particular embodiment, the gasket may be molded onto the aeration pad. In another embodiment, an adhesive material may be provided to form the attachment. In yet another embodiment, stitches of thread may attach the gasket and the aeration pad.

Abstract: A pressure discharge railway hopper car includes a car body having a plurality of hoppers arranged in adjacent relation longitudinally, each opening at the bottom end to an aerator tub assembly. Each aerator tub assembly has two aerator units, one on each side laterally of the longitudinal centerline of the car body, defined by downwardly convergent inclined walls. An outlet from each aerator unit is connected to a product discharge conduit that leads substantially horizontally and laterally toward the centerline of the car body to a generally L-shaped discharge pipe. Each discharge pipe may include a longitudinal leg that runs between the two sections along the car centerline and a lateral leg extending transversely to the centerline to an outlet end laterally outwardly of the aerator tub assembly, where it is connected to a main discharge pipe.

Abstract: A large capacity car body for a pressure discharge railway hopper car has a plurality of end slope plates assemblies, each having a slope sheet, and a plurality of intermediate slope sheet units, each of inverted “V” shape. The intermediate slope sheet units and the end slope plates form the end walls of a plurality of hoppers. A crossridge frame is associated with each of the intermediate slope sheet units and together with the end frames supports side sheets and a top sheet. Top chord members and bottom chord members extend coextensively with and are welded to upper and lower edge portions of each side sheet. Edge portions of the top sheet overlap and are welded to upper leg portions of the two top chord members. The crossridge frames and chord members considerably increase the resistance of the side sheets and top sheet to deforming when the car body is pressurized during unloading.

Abstract: A pneumatic discharge system is provided for a pressurized hopper car to allow the hopper car to carry an enlarged material discharge line. A discharge assembly is used to connect the outlet from each hopper section of the railway car with the discharge line. The discharge assembly is manufactured from pipe having the same dimensions as the discharge line. The discharge assembly allows installing a relatively large diameter discharge line onto an existing pressurized hopper car to optimize unloading of flowable materials without requiring modification to the existing pressurized hopper car. The discharge assembly may include components manufactured from pipe having an outside diameter larger than the clearance between the lower portions of the hopper car and the vertical clearance line of the railway track.