Abstract: According to particular embodiments, a valve operating assembly, such as for a tank car bottom outlet valve, comprises a slide rotationally coupled to and transversely slidable relative to a valve stem. The slide comprises a shape that facilitates rotational coupling with a handle and the slide further comprises a connector for engaging a protective plate to limit rotation of the slide about a valve rotational axis when in a first position and free to rotate about the valve rotational axis when in a second position.

Abstract: A floor section for an insulated railcar includes a floor plate and a composite section coupled to the floor plate. The composite section includes a plurality of composite beams aligned parallel to one another. Each composite beam of the plurality of composite beams includes an inner core and an outer material surrounding the inner core. The inner core includes an insulating material and is configured to support the outer material. An upper surface of each composite beam of the plurality of composite beams, which extends along a length of the composite beam, is coupled to an underside of the floor plate.

Abstract: An IBC storage box assembly is elevated from a railcar. A vertical beam is used to elevate the storage box off the railcar so that the storage box is more easily accessed from a rail platform. Additionally, the vertical beam may provide some clearance for the storage box so that the storage box is not impacted by the railcar coupler during transport.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a refrigerated railcar comprises a pair of side walls, a roof, a floor, and a refrigeration unit. The floor comprises a bottom structure comprising a plurality of channels for return air flow from an interior of the railcar to the refrigeration unit. The floor further comprises at least two top plates coupled to the bottom structure (e.g., via a pivot rod). Each of the top plates extends longitudinally along the bottom structure and is configured to rotate up and away from the bottom structure proximate one of the side walls of the pair of side walls. Lifting an edge of a top plate opposite the edge of the top plate pivotally coupled to the bottom structure causes the top plate to rotate to an upright position exposing the plurality of channels of the bottom structure.

Abstract: A railcar comprises a hopper coupled to a discharge assembly. The discharge assembly comprises a discharge gate, a sloped side sheet, a gasket bracket, and a seal gasket. The sloped side sheet longitudinally extends above the discharge gate when the discharge gate is closed. The gasket bracket coupled to the sloped side sheet. The gasket bracket extends longitudinally along a bottom end of the sloped side sheet. The seal gasket is positioned between the sloped side sheet and the gasket bracket. The seal gasket has a straight section and a rounded section, such that a portion of the round section of the seal gasket is left beyond the bottom end of the sloped side sheet. The seal gasket creates a seal between the sloped side sheet and the discharge gate such that the weight of a lading increases the seal.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a longitudinal door system comprising one or more longitudinal doors for a railcar and a longitudinal operating beam coupled to the one or more longitudinal doors via one or more struts. A translation of the longitudinal operating beam is coupled to an opening and closing of the one or more longitudinal doors. The door system further comprising a gearbox coupled to the longitudinal operating beam and a first capstan receptacle. The gearbox is operable to translate a rotational movement of the first capstan receptacle to a linear movement of the longitudinal operating beam.

Abstract: A railway car is disclosed. The railway car comprises an underframe and at least one compartment for transporting lading. The railway car comprises at least one discharge opening and a door assembly adjacent to the at least one discharge opening. The railway car comprises a discharge control system comprising at least a common linkage mounted away from a longitudinal centerline of the railway car and a secondary linkage, wherein the discharge control system is operable to move the door assembly between a first position and a second position. The railway car comprises an actuator operable to drive movement of the common linkage in connection with movement of the door assembly between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A modular railcar includes a modular top system that is configured to hold one or more coils of material, and a railcar underframe that supports the modular top system. The modular top system includes a pair of side sills and one or more troughs disposed between the pair of side sills. Each side sill of the pair of side sills extends a longitudinal length of the modular top system. Each trough of the one or more troughs is configured to hold a coil of the one or more coils of material. The underframe includes one or more coupling apparatuses that are configured to detachably engage the modular top system when the modular top system is positioned on top of the underframe.

Abstract: A system for a well car includes a frame, a hitch coupled to the frame near the first end of the frame, and a first deck coupled to the frame. The frame includes a first pair of sockets located near a first end of the frame and a second pair of sockets located near a second end of the frame. Each socket of the first pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a first pair of support castings located at a first position along a length of a well car. Each socket of the second pair of sockets is configured to engage a support casting of a second pair of support castings located at a second position along the length of the well car. The first deck is configured to hold wheels of a trailer when the trailer is coupled to the hitch.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar extension for extending the width of a railcar comprises: a top portion for attaching to a railcar support; a first side portion coupled to the top portion, the first side portion comprising two parallel transverse walls connected by a longitudinal wall all extending perpendicular from the top portion and the two transverse walls are for attaching to the railcar support; a second side portion coupled to the first side portion, the second side portion comprising two parallel transverse walls connected by a longitudinal wall all extending downward from the first side portion and the two transverse walls are for attaching to the railcar support, and wherein the second side portion pivots with respect to the first side portion to conform to the railcar support; and a bottom portion coupled to the second side portion, the bottom portion for attaching to the railcar support.

Abstract: Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) act as a dispersing agent to directly exfoliate graphite in an aqueous solution using sonication. The resulting suspension has graphite flakes, each having 2-20 monolayers, a relatively large lateral dimension, and a plurality of CNF decorating its surfaces and edges. The dispersing effect of the CNF allows the graphite-CNF suspension to be stored without degradation until desired use. The graphite-CNF suspension can be used to form various composite structures, such as by spraying, coating, pouring, extruding, or printing the suspension, and then drying the suspension. The resulting composite structures have improved tensile strength and toughness due to hydrogen bond interactions between the CNF and graphite.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a modular railcar comprises: a pair of trucks disposed near each end of the modular railcar; an underframe coupled to the pair of trucks and supported by the pair of trucks. The underframe comprises a plurality of coupling apparatus. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple a modular top container to the underframe. According to some embodiments, a modular top container comprises: a floor panel configured to transport a lading; and a plurality of coupling apparatus coupled to the floor panel. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple the modular top container to a modular railcar. The floor panel is configured to support the weight of the lading when detached from the modular railcar.

Abstract: A system for connecting a center sill to a draft sill in a railcar includes a center sill portion that includes a center sill portion top plate, a draft sill portion that includes a draft sill top plate, the draft sill portion having a draft sill cross-section larger than a center sill cross-section of the center sill portion. The system further includes a transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion, the transition portion includes a transition portion top plate, wherein the transition portion top plate is the same plate as at least one of the center sill portion top plate and the draft sill portion top plate. A method for connecting the center sill to the draft sill in a railcar includes forming the transition portion between the center sill portion and the draft sill portion.

Abstract: An IBC storage box assembly is elevated from a railcar. A vertical beam is used to elevate the storage box off the railcar so that the storage box is more easily accessed from a rail platform. Additionally, the vertical beam may provide some clearance for the storage box so that the storage box is not impacted by the railcar coupler during transport.

Abstract: A floor section for an insulated railcar includes a floor plate and a composite section coupled to the floor plate. The composite section includes a plurality of composite beams aligned parallel to one another. Each composite beam of the plurality of composite beams includes an inner core and an outer material surrounding the inner core. The inner core includes an insulating material and is configured to support the outer material. An upper surface of each composite beam of the plurality of composite beams, which extends along a length of the composite beam, is coupled to an underside of the floor plate.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a longitudinal door system comprising one or more longitudinal doors for a railcar and a longitudinal operating beam coupled to the one or more longitudinal doors via one or more struts. A translation of the longitudinal operating beam is coupled to an opening and closing of the one or more longitudinal doors. The door system further comprising a gearbox coupled to the longitudinal operating beam and a first capstan receptacle. The gearbox is operable to translate a rotational movement of the first capstan receptacle to a linear movement of the longitudinal operating beam.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a center sill extending along a longitudinal centerline of the railcar, and two side sills. The two side sills are on opposite sides of, and extend parallel with, the center sill. The railcar further comprises a first inner discharge door coupled to the railcar proximate the center sill on a first side of a longitudinal centerline of the railcar (first side); a second inner discharge door coupled to the railcar proximate the center sill on a second side of the longitudinal centerline (second side); a first outer discharge door coupled proximate the side sill on the first side; a second outer discharge door coupled proximate the side sill on the second side; a first linkage coupling the first inner discharge door to the second outer discharge door; and a second linkage coupling the second inner discharge door to the first outer discharge door.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a refrigerated railcar comprises a pair of side walls, a roof, a floor, and a refrigeration unit. The floor comprises a bottom structure comprising a plurality of channels for return air flow from an interior of the railcar to the refrigeration unit. The floor further comprises at least two top plates coupled to the bottom structure (e.g., via a pivot rod). Each of the top plates extends longitudinally along the bottom structure and is configured to rotate up and away from the bottom structure proximate one of the side walls of the pair of side walls. Lifting an edge of a top plate opposite the edge of the top plate pivotally coupled to the bottom structure causes the top plate to rotate to an upright position exposing the plurality of channels of the bottom structure.

Abstract: A railway car is disclosed. The railway car comprises an underframe and at least one compartment for transporting lading. The railway car comprises at least one discharge opening and a door assembly adjacent to the at least one discharge opening. The railway car comprises a discharge control system comprising at least a common linkage mounted away from a longitudinal centerline of the railway car and a secondary linkage, wherein the discharge control system is operable to move the door assembly between a first position and a second position. The railway car comprises an actuator operable to drive movement of the common linkage in connection with movement of the door assembly between the first position and the second position.