Abstract: Systems and methods for accumulating air in an auxiliary reservoir of a railroad car are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method may include charging an air brake system. Air pressure in the air brake system may reach a predetermined value. Once this predetermined value is reached, additional or excess air may be bled from the air brake system and the additional or excess air may accumulate in an auxiliary reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir may be adapted to supply air to an auxiliary cylinder or other types of pneumatic components or equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for reinforcing a railway tank car includes a tank shell. A plurality of attachment pads are welded to the tank shell to form a tank assembly. The tank assembly is subjected to a post-weld heat treatment. A plurality of shield plates may each be welded directly to at least one of the plurality of attachment pads. The shield plates are not subjected to the post-weld heat treatment.

Abstract: A railway tank car is provided having a manway formed in a body of the tank car. The tank car includes a manway cover plate coupled to the body of the tank car and disposed over at least a portion of the manway. A protective housing assembly is coupled to the body of the tank car and disposed around the manway cover plate. A plurality of structural supports are arranged around an outer perimeter of the protective housing assembly and are coupled to the protective housing assembly and to the body of the tank car.

Abstract: A railway tank car is provided having a manway formed in a body of the tank car. The tank car includes a manway cover plate coupled to the body of the tank car and disposed over at least a portion of the manway. A protective housing assembly is coupled to the body of the tank car and disposed around the manway cover plate. At least one structural support is coupled with an interior surface of the body of the tank car adjacent to the protective housing assembly.

Abstract: Hopper cars both open and covered and discharge control systems are disclosed. Each hopper car may include at least one hopper and a center sill which defines in part a longitudinal axis of the hopper car. At least one discharge opening may be formed proximate a lower portion of each hopper. A respective door assembly may be pivotally mounted adjacent to each discharge opening to control the flow of lading from the respective discharge opening. Each discharge control system may include a common linkage and associated secondary linkages operable to move associated door assemblies between a first position and a second position. A power source including a motor, an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder may be disposed on the railway car to move the common linkage. For other hopper cars a wayside drive system may be releasably engaged with a capstan operable coupled to the common linkage.

Abstract: Hopper cars both open and covered and discharge control systems are disclosed. Each hopper car may include at least one hopper and a center sill which defines in part a longitudinal axis of the hopper car. At least one discharge opening may be formed proximate a lower portion of each hopper. A respective door assembly may be pivotally mounted adjacent to each discharge opening to control the flow of lading from the respective discharge opening. Each discharge control system may include a common linkage and associated secondary linkages operable to move associated door assemblies between a first position and a second position. A power source including a motor, an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder may be disposed on the railway car to move the common linkage. For other hopper cars a wayside drive system may be releasably engaged with a capstan operable coupled to the common linkage.

Abstract: A combined guardrail and cable safety system is disclosed. In one aspect, the present invention teaches a safety barrier including a plurality of cable posts spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to a roadway. At least two cables are releasably engaged with and supported by the cable posts. The cable posts and the two cables cooperate with each other to prevent a vehicle from leaving the roadway. A plurality of guardrail posts are spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to the roadway longitudinally spaced from the plurality of cable post. A guardrail beam is fixedly coupled to the plurality of guardrail posts and including slots. The two cables extend from the cable posts through respective slots formed in the guardrail beam permitting each cable to engage a respective cable anchor bracket securely fastened to a portion of the guardrail beam.

Abstract: A combined guardrail and cable safety system is disclosed. In one aspect, the present invention teaches a safety barrier including a plurality of cable posts spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to a roadway. At least two cables are releasably engaged with and supported by the cable posts. The cable posts and the two cables cooperate with each other to prevent a vehicle from leaving the roadway. A plurality of guardrail posts are spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to the roadway longitudinally spaced from the plurality of cable post. A guardrail beam is fixedly coupled to the plurality of guardrail posts and including slots. The two cables extend from the cable posts through respective slots formed in the guardrail beam permitting each cable to engage a respective cable anchor bracket securely fastened to a portion of the guardrail beam.

Abstract: A railcar system includes a plurality of railcar walls and a plurality of railcar support posts each coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls. Each of the plurality of support posts comprises a web portion comprising a non-metallic material and a plurality of flange portions coupled to the web portion, the flange portions comprising a metallic material.

Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for shielding welding fumes includes a device configured to engage a welding gun. The device is configured to emit a flow of air through the one or more orifices. The flow of air is operable to divert welding fumes away from a welder.

Abstract: A manufacturing facility and method for assembling a railway car having a composite box structure mounted on a railway car underframe are provided. The composite box structure may be defined in part by exterior metal sheets, side stakes attached to the exterior metal sheets, insulating materials disposed between the side stakes and the exterior metal sheets and at least one layer of fiber reinforced material. The composite box structure preferably includes a pair of endwalls, a pair of sidewalls, a floor assembly and a roof assembly.

Abstract: A combined guardrail and cable safety system is disclosed. In one aspect, the present invention teaches a safety barrier including a plurality of cable posts spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to a roadway. At least two cables are releasably engaged with and supported by the cable posts. The cable posts and the two cables cooperate with each other to prevent a vehicle from leaving the roadway. A plurality of guardrail posts are spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to the roadway longitudinally spaced from the plurality of cable post. A guardrail beam is fixedly coupled to the plurality of guardrail posts and including slots. The two cables extend from the cable posts through respective slots formed in the guardrail beam permitting each cable to engage a respective cable anchor bracket securely fastened to a portion of the guardrail beam.

Abstract: A composite box structure mounted on and attached to a railway car underframe to form a temperature controlled railway car. The composite box structure defined in part by an exterior metal surface, interior side stakes and at least one layer of fiber reinforced material attached to the side stakes. Insulating material may be disposed between the side stakes, the exterior metal surface and the at least one fiber reinforced layer of fiber reinforced material. The insulating materials provide resistance to heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of the composite box structure. A primary floor assembly and a secondary floor assembly may be mounted on the railway car underframe.

Abstract: A system and method of fabricating tank car outer jackets are provided that include supporting a plurality of coils of sheet metal on a plurality of coil supports such that the central longitudinal axes of the plurality of coils are generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of a mandrel adjacent the plurality of coils. A plurality of sheets of sheet metal are unwound from the plurality of coils by rotating each of the plurality of coils generally about the respective central longitudinal axes of each of the plurality of coils. As the plurality of sheets of sheet metal are wound onto the mandrel, adjacent sheets of the plurality of sheets of sheet metal are welded together using a plurality of automated welding torches proximate the mandrel. The plurality of automated welding torches may be coupled for communication with a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a railway car for the transportation of semi-trucks. The railway car may have an interior defined by a support surface for the trucks, a pair of upstanding sidewalls, and a roof. End doors may be located at each end of the railway car for selectively permitting access to the interior thereof. The horizontal width at the ends of the railway car may be selected to permit the trucks to be loaded into the interior of the railway car.

Abstract: A universal boxcar is provided with exterior metal surfaces and load carrying capabilities of a conventional uninsulated boxcar and thermal transfer ratings of an insulated boxcar. The boxcar may be formed with interior dimensions corresponding generally with interior dimensions of an uninsulated boxcar without high cost, high performance insulation. The boxcar may include a double side doors slidably mounted on the exterior of each sidewall assemble. A load restraint system may be provided with improved load carrying capabilities and performance characteristics. The load restraint system may have increased load carrying capacity, increased service life, and reduced maintenance costs. All or portions of the load restraint system may be used in uninsulated boxcars or temperature controlled railway cars.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a railway car for the transportation of semi-trucks. The railway car may have an interior defined by a support surface for the trucks, a pair of upstanding sidewalls, and a roof. End doors may be located at each end of the railway car for selectively permitting access to the interior thereof. The horizontal width at the ends of the railway car may be selected to permit the trucks to be loaded into the interior of the railway car.

Abstract: A railway car for transportation of motor vehicles. The railway car may be articulated, comprising two or more units. The railway car may have end doors which are pivotally attached to the roof of the railway car. Flexible seals may be provided along the inner and outer edges of the end doors. Ventilation in the side walls of the railway car may be provided by small diameter perforations grouped at elevations near the top and bottom of each level. The side walls may be constructed by a combination of load bearing side wall panels which function as shear plates, and vertical posts. Protection for the door edges of motor vehicles being carried in the railway car may be provided by providing a plurality of parallel horizontal strips of a relatively soft material along the inside of each side wall on each level. A flexible enclosure may be provided between adjacent car units. A heat-reflecting corrosion-resistant coating may be provided on the galvanized steel corrugated roof to extend the life of the roof.

Abstract: A boxcar and load restraint system are provided with improved load carrying capabilities and performance characteristics of uninsulated boxcars and insulated boxcars. An insulated boxcar with the load restraint system may have increased load carrying capacity, increased service life, and reduced maintenance costs as compared to conventional insulated boxcars. All or portions of the load restraint system may be used in uninsulated boxcars.

Abstract: A combined guardrail and cable safety system is disclosed. In one aspect, the present invention teaches a safety barrier including a plurality of cable posts spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to a roadway. At least two cables are releasably engaged with and supported by the cable posts. The cable posts and the two cables cooperate with each other to prevent a vehicle from leaving the roadway. A plurality of guardrail posts are spaced from each other and disposed adjacent to the roadway longitudinally spaced from the plurality of cable post. A guardrail beam is fixedly coupled to the plurality of guardrail posts and including slots. The two cables extend from the cable posts through respective slots formed in the guardrail beam permitting each cable to engage a respective cable anchor bracket securely fastened to a portion of the guardrail beam.