Abstract: A gate mechanism for a bulk material handling container such as a railway hopper car. The gate mechanism comprises a chute attached to the bottom of the hopper and having a discharge opening, a frame attached to the side of the chute, a gate slide mounted within the frame, a slider for providing a low friction, non-metallic contact surface between the gate slide and the frame, a drive mechanism for opening and closing the gate slide, a seal for preventing any discharge through the closed discharge opening, and a lock for securing the gate slide in a closed position. The slider comprises elongated bodies made of solid bars of non-metallic, low friction material such as Teflon (trade mark), and provides a non-corroding, easily maintainable method for the smooth opening and closing of the discharge opening. The lock comprises a shaped spring bar made of resilient metal, which provides a simple and automatic means of holding the gate slide closed.