Abstract: A bi-directionally openable hatch cover hinge and lock device for hatch covers which close the hatches on top of railroad cars and which are openable from either side of the car, utilizing a minimum number of component parts and including a passive captive device for the hatch cover to prevent loss of the cover if the latches on one side are left open and the hatch is opened from the other side, and also including an integrated one piece yoke top and handle with a pivoted cam lock attached to the handle, the pivoted cam lock being weight biased toward its locked position and being prevented from rotating beyond its weight biased locking condition by a stop pin.

Abstract: A manually operated railroad car handbrake release system in which the release of the handbrake at one end of a car automatically causes release of the brakes at the opposite end of the same car. The system utilizes the standard type handbrake, but has affixed to each of the handbrake units a hydraulic cylinder, with interconnecting hydraulic lines between hydraulic cylinders located at opposite ends of the railcar. Brake releasing actuation at one handbrake unit pressurizes the hydraulic system so that the cylinder affixed to the brake unit at the opposite end of the car is also actuated to operate the release handle and release the brake at that end. When the release handles are actuated and released, return springs disposed about the cylinders piston rods automatically return the release handles and pistons at both ends to their non-actuated positions. The brake release system is operative from either end of the railroad car, and does not include any provision for resetting the brakes.

Abstract: An elastomeric vertical isolator pad for placement between the roller bearing adaptors of railroad cars and the car truck sideframes, the pad being formed of an elastomer having a melting point not lower than 500.degree. Fahrenheit and having a Shore hardness durometer in the range of 50 to 70, the pad being configured to have a base and lower sidewall portions which fit snugly within a pocket on the top of the bearing adaptor, and having upper sidewalls portions extending upward beyond the upper surface of the bearing adaptor to a pad upper surface configured for surface engagement with an overlying part of the truck sideframe, the upper sidewall portions being angled inwardly to the pad upper surface.

Abstract: A quickly installable and removable integral lightweight floor structure trailer adaptor for railroad well cars for converting the well car from one for use with containers to one for carrying trailers, including a plurality of substantially equal height parallel disposed lightweight beams having substantially coplaner upper surfaces fixedly interconnected to form a rigid platform for the wheels of a trailer, the height of the beams being such as to raise the underside of a trailer to an elevation above the well car sidewalls a sufficient distance to provide withdrawal clearance for the loading arms of a trailer loading crane when the trailer with the adaptor carried thereby is loaded into the well car, and quick detachable coupling means securing the adaptor to the wheels of a trailer bogie with the tires seated on the adaptor to effectively restrain movement of the adaptor relative to the trailer wheels.

Abstract: Apparatus for adapting well cars for trailer carrying use without degrading its double stacked container capability, including a trailer hitch head and mounting pedestal attached to the end deck of the well car for securing the trailer kingpin onto the car mounted hitch head, and a plurality of lightweight aluminum floor beams or panels which support the trailer bogies. The beams can be dropped into place on the car floor with locating pins providing the fore and aft positioning, and are sufficiently light that two men can lift and position them. In two forms the beams bridge between the lower side sills of the car and transfer the vertical load by bearing on the inward turned flange portion of the side sill, and in another form are partly supported by the car lower end plate. The floor beams structures add only approximately 500 to 600 pounds in weight, rather than the 5,000 pounds of a permanent type floor, and do not raise the trailer height above the normal double stacked container height.

Abstract: A hopper car comprises two substantially similar units which are relatively short and have low roof lines. A pair of trucks is connected to opposite ends of the car. A third truck is connected between the two units. A coupler between the units and the third truck provides articulation therebetween.

Abstract: A lead or head end rail car includes crew living and working accommodations. Controls for the propulsion car, such as a locomotive, and other trailing cars are included in the head end car. Crashworthiness is built into the head end car to provide safety for the engineer and crew in case of accident.

Abstract: A tubular member for holding a tread brake is inserted through a pair of enlarged openings in a side frame. A pair of washers fit over the tubular member with their outer peripheries welded to opposite sides of the side frame and their inner opening areas being double welded on both sides to the tubular member. The method of assembly involves leaving a top plate off the side frame until final welding steps through one of the enlarged openings has been completed.

Abstract: A system for stacking two similar sized containers on a low level, flat car or trailer of a predetermined size is provided. The containers include fittings at all their corners to receive locking devices. Angular members include locking devices and are dimensioned to overlap two adjacent fittings only of the stacked containers with the twist locking devices locking the angular members to the corner fittings of the top or bottom container to restrict movements between the containers.

Abstract: A transom, shaped in the form of an "I" beam, is welded between two side frames of a railway car. The web plate permits a small amount of twisting and relative weaving movements between the side frames in vertical directions to provide equalization.

Abstract: A mounting member is disposed on one end of a mechanical spring to prevent vibrations from a truck being transmitted into a car body for transmitted to the spring and car body if mounted below the spring. The mounting includes a pair of elastomeric rings, with one of the rings providing vertical compliance and the other providing lateral compliance between the truck and car body.

Abstract: A freight car includes main side and end frame beams. Wall structures are connected to the beams and extend downwardly therefrom. A floor structure is connected to the wall structures to provide a lower well arrangement for receiving a trailer therein.

Abstract: A freight car includes main side and end frame beams. Wall structures are connected to the beams and extend downwardly therefrom. A floor structure is connected to the wall structures to provide a lower well arrangement for receiving a trailer therein.

Abstract: A hitch mechanism connected to a freight car is disposed to receive a king pin of a trailer to be carried by the car. The hitch mechanism is adapted to be selectively opened to receive the king pin therein and then closed by a lever to secure the king pin in place. A latch mechanism automatically locks the hitch mechanism in a closed position after the hitch mechanism is closed. A manual operation of the latch mechanism is required before the hitch mechanism can be opened.