Abstract: A vent-on-demand hatch cover for closing a hatch opening of a compartment in a railcar, and particularly a hopper car, wherein the car is provided with a coaming that defines the opening. The cover includes a peripheral opening for taking in the outside air and which is disposed adjacent the outer side of the coaming and an inside opening at the underside of the cover exposed to the compartment for connecting the cover to the compartment air. Passageways are provided between the two openings in order to allow air flow between the outside of the car and the inside of the car. A closure member is provided at the inside opening of the cover which is resiliently biased normally into closed position and which opens upon the formation of a vacuum within the compartment in order to allow unloading of the compartment.

Abstract: An improved guide bracket for doors on railroad cars which reduces or eliminates wear of the guide bracket and the guide member of the lower door track of the railroad car. The improved guide bracket includes a J-shaped plate and a tubular plastic wear collar or member mounted on the plate. The wear collar engages the inner surface of the guide member of the lower door track and prevents wear of the guide member when the door moves or vibrates. When worn, the wear collar may be separately replaced without replacing the entire J-plate and or track.

Abstract: A sealing device for a hatch cover closing a hatch on a railcar, wherein the hatch cover includes a pocket for receiving a gasket, and the pocket includes projections mating with recesses on the gasket or projections on the gasket mating with recesses in the pocket for removably retaining the gasket in the pocket.

Abstract: A grating lift pad for mounting on the free end or edge of a grating section on the floor of an auto rack railroad car which lifts the grating section off the floor to reduce wear and rusting of the floor caused by movement and vibration of the grating during train movement.

Abstract: A vented hatch cover assembly for a railroad hopper car including top and bottom members having substantially rigid and somewhat dome-shaped bodies which are divided into four quadrants wherein each quadrant includes coacting baffle members extending from the bodies of the top and bottom members which define a plurality of circuitous air passageways to allow air flow into and out of the hopper car while restricting moisture and other contaminants from entering the car. An improved hatch cover lock mechanism for securing a vented or non-vented cover to the hatch is easily adjustable to provide a tight seal between the cover and hatch, and provides a safe controlled opening of a non-vented cover. An improved seal or gasket is arranged between the cover and hatch.

Abstract: A device for closing the gap between adjacent sidewall panels in an auto rack railroad car in the form of a generally H-shaped elongated plastic member grippingly engaging the panels and closing the gap to prevent the movement of air and precipitation through the gap. The device may be made as a one-piece or two-piece unit.

Abstract: A hole covering device attached to the sidewall panels or screens in an auto rack car to prevent the direct passage of air and air-carried contaminants into the auto rack car through the multiplicity of holes in the screens to prevent damage to the finishes of newly manufactured vehicles being transported. The hole covering device includes a non-opaque plastic covering panel which is sized and adapted to be mounted on the interior surface of the screen by a plurality of button fasteners to cover a significant number of the holes in the screen. The covering panel permits light into the car through the covering panel and does not significantly inhibit the ventilation of the vehicle exhaust gases during loading and unloading of the vehicles.