Abstract: A railroad car cover actuator automatically opens and closes the hatch covers of a railroad car. The actuator includes a camming device mounted to a railroad car along a longitudinal axis on which a car cover is hingedly mounted. A first inflatable hose for opening the railroad car cover is attached at one end to the cover and at another end to the car and extends partially around the camming device in a taut position when the car cover is closed. A second inflatable hose for closing the railroad car cover is also attached at one and to the cover and at another end to the car and extends from the cover in a relaxed position when the car cover is closed. Upon inflation of either the opening or closing hose, the diameter of the camming device effectively increases because the reach of the hose shortens to apply a lifting force to the cover causing it to open or close, respectively.