Abstract: A transportation vehicle, such as a railroad coil car, solves long standing problems in the prior art by removing platform requirements from the decking area, thus increasing the space for loading coils or other cylindrical objects. There is disclosed at least one folding platform, which, when closed, is contained or disposed within the side sill of the vehicle. When the platform is closed, and the vehicle is moving, it does not violate government regulations. However, when the vehicle is to be loaded or unloaded in a stationary position, the platform can be opened and extend laterally from the side of the vehicle.

Abstract: A door and operating apparatus for railway hopper cars includes a door having a first pivot point for rotary attachment to the hopper. A second pivot point is formed on the door and a cross beam is positioned adjacent to the door for movement in a vertical direction. The cross beam has a third pivot point formed thereon and a link arm has one end rotatably attached to the door at the second pivot point and an opposite end rotatably attached to the cross beam at the third pivot point. A screwjack is coupled to vertically move the cross beam in an upward direction for opening the doors and in a downward direction for closing the doors. The doors have an arcuate surface extending generally vertically when in the closed position to reduce the effort required to open the doors when the car is loaded.