Abstract: A open top railcar comprises a pair of spaced trucks, a railcar body supported on the trucks, the body comprising a pair of side structures on opposed sides of the railcar and a pair of end structures on opposed ends of the railcar, and a top chord extending the length of the side structures and the width of the end structures, wherein the top chord includes an inwardly sloped top surface configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar may further include corner cap, or end cap members, with each corner cap, or end cap including inwardly sloped top surface configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar may be a hopper railcar having a plurality of discharge chutes forming pockets for the body which open to the interior with a plurality of door operated through a pneumatic door operating system and further including a manual door operating override for each door.

Abstract: A open top railcar comprises a pair of spaced trucks, a railcar body supported on the trucks, the body comprising a pair of side structures on opposed sides of the railcar and a pair of end structures on opposed ends of the railcar, and a top chord extending the length of the side structures and the width of the end structures, wherein the top chord includes an inwardly sloped top surface configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar may further include corner cap, or end cap members, with each corner cap, or end cap including inwardly sloped top surface configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar may be a hopper railcar having a plurality of discharge chutes forming pockets for the body which open to the interior with a plurality of door operated through a pneumatic door operating system and further including a manual door operating override for each door.

Abstract: A open top railcar comprises a pair of spaced trucks, a railcar body supported on the trucks, the body comprising a pair of side structures on opposed sides of the railcar and a pair of end structures on opposed ends of the railcar, and a top chord extending the length of the side structures and the width of the end structures, wherein the top chord includes an inwardly sloped top surface configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar may further include corner cap, or end cap members, with each corner cap, or end cap including inwardly sloped top surface configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar may be a hopper railcar having a plurality of discharge chutes forming pockets for the body which open to the interior with a plurality of door operated through a pneumatic door operating system and further including a manual door operating override for each door.

Abstract: A open top railcar comprises a railcar body supported on the spaced trucks, the body comprising side and end structures on the railcar, and a top chord extending the length of the side structures and the width of the end structures, wherein the top chord includes an inwardly sloped top surface for discharging lading toward the railcar interior. The railcar may further include corner cap, or end cap members, including inwardly sloped lading discharging top surfaces. The railcar may be a hopper railcar having discharge chutes forming body pockets opening into the interior with pneumatic doors having manual override for each door. The railcar may include a nonmetallic touch pad housing secured to the side structures and including a plurality of touch plates mounted in the housing configured for operating selective individual doors and combination of doors.

Abstract: A transverse trough coil car includes a plurality of transverse troughs, a pair of trucks, a center sill supported on the trucks, a pair of side walls extending the length of the car coupled to the center sill, and a plurality of trough forming assemblies. Each trough forming assembly includes a center cross bearer member coupled to the side walls and the center sill, a pair of angled floor plates coupled to the side walls, wherein the floor plates form the longitudinally fore and aft sections of adjacent troughs, and a plurality of floor plate supporting gussets extending between the center cross bearer member and the floor plates. A method of forming the transverse trough coil car body is provided for reducing the fabrication costs, inventory costs and assembly time of the car.

Abstract: A transverse trough coil car includes a plurality of transverse troughs, a pair of trucks, a center sill supported on the trucks, a pair of side walls extending the length of the car coupled to the center sill, and a plurality of trough forming assemblies. Each trough forming assembly includes a center cross bearer member coupled to the side walls and the center sill, a pair of angled floor plates coupled to the side walls, wherein the floor plates form the longitudinally fore and aft sections of adjacent troughs, and a plurality of floor plate supporting gussets extending between the center cross bearer member and the floor plates. A method of forming the transverse trough coil car body is provided for reducing the fabrication costs, inventory costs and assembly time of the car.

Abstract: A open top railcar comprises a body on pair of spaced trucks, and a top chord extending the length of the side and the width of the end of the railcar, wherein the top chord includes an inwardly sloped top surface configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar further includes corner cap members that have inwardly sloped top surfaces configured to discharge lading toward the interior of the railcar through gravity. The railcar has a plurality of discharge chutes including a plurality of doors operated through a pneumatic door operating system and a manual door operating override for each door. The railcar also includes a nonmetallic touch pad housing provided with a plurality of touch plates for operating selective doors.

Abstract: The door operating system of the present invention can be applied to new railcar or retrofitted to existing railcar designs. The hopper car will have a pair of doors on opposed sides of the center sill which are connected through a door spreader. The pneumatic, individual door operating system is connected to the door spreader through an adjustable spreader fulcrum in which the sliding adjustment may add in a proper connection force or tension between the door operating system and the individual doors.

Abstract: A railroad car having a center sill formed by cold rolling a flat sheet of steel into a rectangular configuration. One of the embodiments includes strengthening flanges and another includes ribs. The cold formed center sill may be formed of a single cold formed section or a pair of cold formed sections joined by a single longitudinal weld seam.

Abstract: A one-piece center sill for a railroad freight car formed by cold rolling a flat sheet of steel into a rectangular configuration. One of the embodiments includes strengthening flanges and another includes ribs.

Abstract: A 100-125 ton capacity steel flat railcar hauls steel slabs with the capacity to alternatively haul steel coils. The car design allows steel slabs of various sizes and weights to be hauled efficiently by placing the slabs longitudinally on the car. The slabs are captive by side stanchions restricting the slabs from lateral movement and bulkheads at the ends preventing longitudinal movement of the slabs. The weight of the slabs is concentrated near the bolsters through raised mounting platforms. The railcar also has the capability to haul steel coils in a built-in trough over the bolster area. The end bulkheads restrict and position the steel coils allowing the coils in each trough to have a gap between them for ease of loading and unloading. The side stanchions restrict the steel coils from unwanted unloading due to coupler forces.

Abstract: A 100-125 ton capacity steel flat railcar hauls steel slabs with the capacity to alternatively haul steel coils. The car design allows steel slabs of various sizes and weights to be hauled efficiently by placing the slabs longitudinally on the car. The slabs are captive by side stanchions restricting the slabs from lateral movement and bulkheads at the ends preventing longitudinal movement of the slabs. The weight of the slabs is concentrated near the bolsters through raised mounting platforms. The railcar also has the capability to haul steel coils in a built-in trough over the bolster area. The end bulkheads restrict and position the steel coils allowing the coils in each trough to have a gap between them for ease of loading and unloading. The side stanchions restrict the steel coils from unwanted unloading due to coupler forces.

Abstract: A railcar includes a pair of car tubs on opposite sides of a center sill. Each car tub includes a cross-section to increase carrying capacity. Each car tub includes a longitudinal semi-circular floor plate formed by a cold-formed process. Additionally, each car plate includes a one-piece composite tub closure at each end thereof.

Abstract: A hopper car having smooth side walls being reinforced by a horizontal beam along a horizontal seam. The roof of the car has a plurality of extruded beams, including a pair of combining extrusion extending the length of a hatch opening. The coaming extrusions include tabs to which the hatch covers can be attached at any location. A hollow side sill is formed with tabs to attach the side sheets and the sloped floor panels. A four piece hood encases the center sill along its length.

Abstract: A light weight gondola car having side walls constructed of a plurality of upper and lower sheets with a longitudinal stiffener being formed from lower portions of the upper and lower sheets. A bolster transition stake joins the side sheet, top chord, bolster web, and side sill for increased strength. The load from the truck assemblies is transmitted to the car body through load carriers. Diagonal truss members strengthened the end panels. The body frame is connected to the center sill with a reinforcement plate. The center sill and draft sills are interconnected by a tie plate.

Abstract: A center sill for a railroad car formed by cold rolling a flat sheet of steel into a rectangular configuration. One of the embodiments includes strengthening flanges and another includes ribs. The center sill may be formed of a single cold formed section or a pair of cold formed sections joined by a single longitudinal weld seam.

Abstract: A lightweight hopper-type rail car provides for a smooth exterior surface so as to minimize aerodynamic drag thereon when the car is in motion. The railcar includes a cross ridge arrangement which greatly increases the fabrication efficiency of the car as well as providing a smooth interior surface so as to allow the maximum release of bulk material contained within the car.

Abstract: A hopper car having smooth side walls being reinforced by a horizontal beam along a horizontal seam. The roof of the car has a plurality of extruded beams, including a pair of coaming extrusions extending the length of a hatch opening. The coaming extrusions include tabs to which the hatch covers can be attached at any location. A hollow side sill is formed with tabs to attach the side sheets and the sloped floor panels. A four piece hood encases the center sill along its length.