Abstract: An IBC storage box assembly is elevated from a railcar. A vertical beam is used to elevate the storage box off the railcar so that the storage box is more easily accessed from a rail platform. Additionally, the vertical beam may provide some clearance for the storage box so that the storage box is not impacted by the railcar coupler during transport.

Abstract: A railway car is disclosed. The railway car comprises an underframe and at least one compartment for transporting lading. The railway car comprises at least one discharge opening and a door assembly adjacent to the at least one discharge opening. The railway car comprises a discharge control system comprising at least a common linkage mounted away from a longitudinal centerline of the railway car and a secondary linkage, wherein the discharge control system is operable to move the door assembly between a first position and a second position. The railway car comprises an actuator operable to drive movement of the common linkage in connection with movement of the door assembly between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position. The second input of the locking system is coupled to a second input of the operating cylinder. The second input is configured to move the discharge door to the closed position.

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: A system for transporting vehicles includes a railcar, a deck, a fastener, a screw, and a travelling nut. The deck is positioned within the railcar and is for supporting a plurality of vehicles. The fastener is coupled to the deck and operable to couple the deck to a wall of the railcar. The fastener prevents a vertical position of the deck within the railcar to be adjusted when the deck is coupled to the wall by the fastener. The screw is coupled to the railcar and the travelling nut is operably coupled to the screw. The travelling nut is operable to adjust a vertical position of the deck within the railcar as a position of the travelling nut on the screw changes when the screw is turned.

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 interior wall and guard strips magnetically coupled to the interior wall. Each of the guard strips comprises a cushioning material for absorbing impact. The guard strips are configured to prevent an object loaded in the railcar from contacting the interior wall. The railcar further comprises protected magnetic fastening systems coupling each of the guard strips to the interior wall. Each of the protected magnetic fastening systems comprises a magnet and a rod comprising a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the magnet, and the second end extends through the guard strip. The protected magnetic fastening system may further comprise a cup washer coupled to the second end of the rod and secured with a fastener. The cup washer partially surrounds the fastener to restrict objects larger than the cup washer from contacting the fastener.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a compression strut comprises a first strut body comprising a threaded end and a hollow end, and a second strut body comprising a threaded end and a shaped end. The hollow end of the first strut body is slidably coupled to the shaped end of the second strut body. A spring is disposed between the first strut body and the second strut body configured to resist longitudinal compression of the compression strut. The first strut body is rotationally coupled to the second strut body so that rotation of the first strut body also rotates the second strut body and rotation of the second strut body also rotates the first strut body. A first ball end is threaded to the first strut body and a second ball end is threaded to the second strut body.

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 multimodal platform is provided for a railcar. The multimodal platform includes a first underframe, a second underframe, a loading platform, and rail wheels. The first underframe carries a first container and the second underframe carries a second container. The second underframe is coupled to the first underframe and coupling the first underframe and the second underframe provides an articulation point. The loading platform is disposed above the articulation point and between a first end of the first container proximate the second container and a second end of the second container proximate the first container. The rail wheels are disposed under the loading platform and coupled to the first underframe and the second underframe. The rail wheels are configured to transport the multimodal platform on rails of a railway.

Abstract: A railcar system that includes a railcar with a discharge opening and a longitudinal gate positioned adjacent to the discharge opening. The system Further includes a driving system connected to the longitudinal gate that is configured to move the longitudinal gate between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a controller connected to the driving system that causes the driving system to position the longitudinal gate in the closed position, position the longitudinal gate in the open position, and position the longitudinal gate to remain an at least partially open position. The longitudinal gate is less than fully open when the longitudinal gate is in the at least partially open position.

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: An apparatus includes a transfer ball, a rod, a first bracket, a second bracket, a lock nut, an elastic element, and a threaded collar. The rod is coupled to the transfer ball and extends vertically from the transfer ball. The second bracket is positioned above the first bracket. The rod extends vertically through the first bracket and the second bracket. The lock nut engages to the rod and is positioned above the first bracket and below the second bracket. The elastic element is positioned above the lock nut and below the second bracket. The rod extends vertically through the elastic element. The threaded collar is positioned above the elastic element and below the second bracket. The threaded collar is engaged to the rod. The rod extends through the threaded collar.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a mandrel assembly, an anchor, a strap, a winch, a first pedal, an advancer. The mandrel assembly is positioned on a first side of a tire of a vehicle and to couple to a track assembly of rail car. The anchor is positioned on a second side of the tire and to couple to the track assembly. The strap assembly is coupled to the mandrel assembly and the anchor and wraps around the tire. The winch is coupled to the mandrel assembly. The winch includes a first sprocket. The advancer is coupled to the first pedal and engages the first sprocket such that, when the first pedal is pushed towards the winch, the advancer pushes the winch such that the winch and the mandrel assembly rotate in a first direction.

Abstract: A railcar system that includes a railcar with a discharge opening and a longitudinal gate positioned adjacent to the discharge opening. The system further includes a driving system connected to the longitudinal gate that is configured to move the longitudinal gate between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a controller connected to the driving system that causes the driving system to position the longitudinal gate in the closed position, position the longitudinal gate in the open position, and position the longitudinal gate to remain an at least partially open position. The longitudinal gate is less than fully open when the longitudinal gate is in the at least partially open position.

Abstract: A system for restraining a vehicle includes a deck of a transport. The deck includes one or more grated panels. The system also includes a vehicle restraint assembly configured to secure a vehicle to the deck of the transport. The vehicle restraint assembly includes an anchor coupled to a first end of a strap. The anchor includes a first plurality of hooks configured to couple the anchor to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels. The vehicle restraint assembly further includes a ratchet coupled to a second end of the strap. The ratchet includes a second plurality of hooks configured to couple the ratchet to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels.

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 a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel. The center panel and the intermediate panel comprise generally straight panels coupled together at an angle. In particular embodiments, the first longitudinal side further comprises an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second end.

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.