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 wayside electrical pick-up shoe for operating the discharge, or the like, of a railcar includes a spring biased electrical contact pivotally attached to a base plate with a mechanism for electrically insulating the base plate from the electrical contact. The mechanism for electrically insulating the contact may include insulating material forming at least part of the pivot between the contact and the base plate. The mechanism for electrically insulating the contact may further include insulating material supplied on a spring member which biases the contact.

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.

Abstract: A gondola car having a pair of longitudinally extending tubs disposed on opposite sides and forming a depressed, curvilinear floor. Center sill connection plates are attached to the top of the center sill and include vertically disposed flanges. A portion of the connection plates are formed by L-shaped members which are disposed in overlapping relationship.

Abstract: A rotary dump gondola rail car having side walls reinforced by vertical side posts. The side posts include a pair of vertical raised ribs projecting from the exterior face of the side walls for reducing wear between the side posts and a car dumper mechanism.

Abstract: A rail car having dual air hose connections at each end at upper and lower positions. The dual air hose connection provides universal connectability between adjacent cars having a single connection hose having ends at either an upper or lower position.

Abstract: A metal shroud for protecting the center sill of a rail car from contamination from bulk material being carried having a pair of pieces longitudinally split and arranged to be affixed in overlapping relationship to the center sill. The pair of pieces of the shroud have a generally L-shaped configuration and have overlapping horizontal end portions. The end portion of the first piece is offset to contact the end portion of the second piece.

Abstract: A hood collar for connecting and sealing the end of a center sill hood on a sloped floor sheet of a hopper rail car. The hood is formed from a polymer material and has a slot for receiving the end of hood. The collar is formed with flanges that are attached by mechanical fasteners to the floor sheets.

Abstract: A metal shroud for protecting the center sill of a rail car from contamination from bulk material being carried having a pair of pieces longitudinally split and arranged to be affixed in overlapping relationship to the center sill. The pair of pieces of the shroud have a generally L-shaped configuration and have overlapping horizontal end portions. The end portion of the first piece is offset to contact the end portion of the second piece.

Abstract: A connection members for attaching the upper portion of an inside stake of a gondola car to the upper chord and to the side wall. A pair of connection members are employed on the upper portion of the inside stake and compliment its configuration. Bolt and nut assemblies affixed the connection members to the upper portion of the inside stake member and the upper chord.

Abstract: An attachment for attaching the ends of concave floor panels of a gondola car to the center sill by a plate extending through the vertical cover plate of the floor panels and being affixed to the floor panels and to the center sill. The plate includes a curved contour adjacent the concave floor panels and is affixed by lock bolts to both the floor panels and to the center sill. Angle members affix the vertical cover plates to the ends of the concave floor panels.

Abstract: A brake arrangement for a railroad car having a semi-closed box beam center sill and including a first aperture communicating with the interior of the center sill, a second aperture communicating with the interior of the center sill, a tie rod extending between the first and second apertures, the tie rod extending along the interior of the center sill and having a first end pivotally attached to a first lever extending through the first aperture and attached to brake linkage, and a second end pivotally attached to a second lever extending through the second aperture and attached to brake linkage.