Abstract: Frozen lumps of coal in conventional hopper cars are loosened by lowering an assembly of vertically oriented probe elements into the car while simultaneously vibrating the assembly. The vibratory structure is mounted on a gantry arrangement which also supports a supplemental probe arrangement utilizing impact forces to loosen coal in hopper cars having interiors different from those of the cars operated on by the vibratory arrangement.

Abstract: A door frame assembly process for conventional railway hopper car discharge openings. Five individual frame components are formed of plate or rolled angle members, and are assemblable in a jig. One dimension of the assembly is defined by the predetermined length of two of the main components, while the other dimension is adjustable in the jig. The door closure surface forming member is a separate component, and may be adjustably positioned with respect to the other four components before being affixed thereto.

Abstract: A modified AB test rack for testing freight car brake equipment valves in which excessive noise produced during standard tests by air exiting the quick action exhaust port of the emergency portion and the duplex release valve of the service portion is eliminated by connecting, by a quick action valve operating by an air cylinder, the respective port and release valve, to a manifold which is in turn connected to a muffler having an inlet at one end, a number of baffles and apertured plates forming a tortuous path to an outlet formed by a number of holes through the opposite end and adjacent sides.