Abstract: A railroad hopper car for carrying loads of commodities comprises spaced trucks and a car body supported on the spaced trucks. The car body includes an underframe having a center sill, with discharge openings, the center sill in the area of the discharge openings toward the loaded commodities having surfaces sloped toward the discharge openings. The underframe has members connecting the car body to the spaced trucks. These members have shapes distinct from the shape of the center sill. The car body further includes transition members between the center sill and underframe members connecting the car body to the spaced trucks. The transition members along the center sill are sized and shaped to fit with the center sill, and the transition members along the underframe members are sized and shaped to fit with the underframe members. The transition members transition between the center sill and underframe members, allowing the center sill to have sloped surfaces while the underframe members have other shapes.

Abstract: A coupler for rotary dump cars having a coupler head cast integral with a rotating spindle. The coupler includes a widened shank-spindle housing to accommodate the enlarged end of the spindle for better load characteristics.

Abstract: A wear plate is disclosed herein for use in a railway car center sill to prevent or minimize wearing of the upper bearing surface of each of the horizontal key slots, due to the rubbing action of a draft key. The wear plate includes an elongated wear face which is positioned between the upper bearing surface and key and covers the upper bearing surface. At least one upwardly-extending flange is provided for securing the wear plate to the center sill and for maintaining the wear face in position to protect the upper bearing surface.

Abstract: A center brace is provided for interchangeable use with hopper, box and gondola railway cars. The brace includes two hollow kingpin holes which permit such interchangeable use. Furthermore, the brace is also symmetrical about a horizontal plane so that the brace can be installed with either side up.