Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.

Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.

Abstract: 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. The first longitudinal side may further comprise an end panel disposed between the intermediate panel and the first end or the second end.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an autorack railcar roof assembly comprises a center roof panel, a first intermediate roof panel adjacent one side of the center roof panel, and a second intermediate roof panel adjacent an opposite of the center roof panel from the first intermediate roof panel. The center roof panel comprises a first width. The first and second intermediate roof panels each comprise a second width greater than the first width.

Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.

Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.

Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar extension for extending the width of a railcar comprises: a top portion for attaching to a railcar support; a first side portion coupled to the top portion, the first side portion comprising two parallel transverse walls connected by a longitudinal wall all extending perpendicular from the top portion and the two transverse walls are for attaching to the railcar support; a second side portion coupled to the first side portion, the second side portion comprising two parallel transverse walls connected by a longitudinal wall all extending downward from the first side portion and the two transverse walls are for attaching to the railcar support, and wherein the second side portion pivots with respect to the first side portion to conform to the railcar support; and a bottom portion coupled to the second side portion, the bottom portion for attaching to the railcar support.

Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a retaining catch and a latch. The retaining catch is attached at a first end of a bridge plate kit of the railcar. The latch is disposed on a deck of the railcar. The latch includes a stationary portion attached to the deck and a pendulum portion rotationally coupled to the stationary portion. The pendulum portion rotates about an axis in and through the stationary portion. The pendulum portion includes a stop preventing rotation of the pendulum portion through the stationary portion beyond a stop angle. The retaining catch causes the pendulum portion to rotate from a first position to a second position away from the bridge plate kit. The pendulum portion rotates back to the first position after the bridge plate kit has been flipped over. The pendulum portion in the first position retains the bridge plate kit in the flipped over position.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an autorack railcar comprises first and second ends, and first and second longitudinal sides disposed between the first and second ends. The longitudinal sides comprise a plurality of side posts. The railcar further comprises a rack for transporting vehicles enclosed by the ends and sides. A first width of the railcar between the longitudinal sides proximate a center of the railcar comprises a first width value. A second width of the railcar between the longitudinal sides between the center of the railcar and either the first or second ends comprises a second width value greater than the first width value. The side posts positioned within the second width of the railcar have a width that is less than a width of the side posts positioned within the first width of 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: According to some embodiments, an autorack railcar roof assembly comprises a center roof panel, a first intermediate roof panel adjacent one side of the center roof panel, and a second intermediate roof panel adjacent an opposite of the center roof panel from the first intermediate roof panel. The center roof panel comprises a first width. The first and second intermediate roof panels each comprise a second width greater than the first width.

Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.

Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.

Abstract: A gondola car is made of high strength and high abrasion resistance steel that provides a lightweight structure and that prolongs the useful life of the car. The high strength and high abrasion resistance steel enhances the strength of the gondola car without increasing its thickness. The contemplated railcar positions components (e.g., side posts and cross-bearers) of the railcar away from areas of the railcar that experience high stresses during transport. In this manner, these components can be welded to form the railcar, and the welds will experience less stress during transport resulting in less weld breaks. Additionally, the number of components (e.g., side posts and cross-bearers) may be reduced, which reduces the weight of the railcar.

Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a retaining catch and a latch. The retaining catch is attached at a first end of a bridge plate kit of the railcar. The latch is disposed on a deck of the railcar. The latch includes a stationary portion attached to the deck and a pendulum portion rotationally coupled to the stationary portion. The pendulum portion rotates about an axis in and through the stationary portion. The pendulum portion includes a stop preventing rotation of the pendulum portion through the stationary portion beyond a stop angle. The retaining catch causes the pendulum portion to rotate from a first position to a second position away from the bridge plate kit. The pendulum portion rotates back to the first position after the bridge plate kit has been flipped over. The pendulum portion in the first position retains the bridge plate kit in the flipped over position.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a latch and a travelling nut. The latch couples to a deck of an auto rack car. The latch includes a body coupled to a hinge such that the body may rotate about the hinge from a first position to a second position. The body includes a key. The travelling nut engages a ball screw. The travelling nut includes a slot. The travelling nut rotates with the ball screw when the body is in the first position. The key engages the slot when the body is in the second position. The travelling nut and the latch adjust a height of the deck in the auto rack car when the body is in the second position and when the ball screw is turned.

Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.

Abstract: A method comprises removing a first deck of a plurality of decks and a second deck of the plurality of decks from an autorack. The method further comprises removing one or more of a plurality of posts of the autorack and coupling a cross-brace assembly to one or more of the plurality of posts, wherein the cross-brace assembly is coupled to the one or more of the plurality of posts at a location above an existing brace bay of the autorack. The method also comprises coupling the second deck of the plurality of decks to the autorack at a location above or below the cross-brace assembly.

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.