Abstract: Rail car modularized modification programs altering the nature of the center sill in the modified railcar yield a greater variety of car types that can be placed into service. The present invention provides method of modification of a railcar to form a modified railcar comprising the steps of: providing an existing railcar with a center sill design of one of i) a stub sill and ii) a through sill; removing an upper portion of the existing railcar; forming an underframe construction including bolsters configured to be above truck assemblies and coupled to the center sill design, and a center sill design of one of i) a stub sill ii) a through sill, and iii) a fish-belly center sill; forming an upper body of the modified railcar; and attaching the upper body of the modified railcar to the underframe construction.

Abstract: A transverse trough coil car includes a plurality of transverse troughs, a pair of trucks, a center sill supported on the trucks, a pair of side walls extending the length of the car coupled to the center sill, and a plurality of trough forming assemblies. At least one trough includes integrated manually operated adjustable coil stops configured to prevent lateral shifting of coils carried within the trough. At least one trough includes a vertically adjustable trough height. An upper surface of the troughs are coplanar for selective receipt of slabs, and at least one trough includes integrated fixed side stanchions which includes width adjustment members thereon.

Abstract: An open top gondola car includes top chord sections; a pair of end walls and side walls coupled to the top chord structure, wherein each sidewall includes a side sheet a plurality of side stakes and side sill; and an underframe construction including a center sill running the length of the car, bolsters configured to be above truck assemblies and coupled to the center sill and a plurality of lateral I-Beam cross bearers that extend from the center sill toward and stopping short of the inside of the side sheet, and wherein the cross bearers include vertical connection plates configures for coupling to side stakes which are positioned between the bolsters.

Abstract: A method of modification of a railcar which includes providing an existing railcar with a cold formed center sill; removing an upper portion of the railcar; Cutting and splicing the center sill; Forming an upper railcar body having top chord sections and a pair of end walls and side walls coupled to the top chord structure, wherein each sidewall includes a side sheet, a plurality of side stakes and side sill; Forming an underframe construction including the spliced center sill, bolsters configured to be above truck assemblies and coupled to the center sill and a plurality of lateral I-Beam cross bearers that extend from the center sill toward and stopping short of the inside of the side sheet, and wherein the cross bearers include vertical connection plates configures for coupling to side stakes which are positioned between the bolsters; and Coupling the upper body to the underframe.

Abstract: A transverse trough coil car includes a plurality of transverse troughs, a pair of trucks, a center sill supported on the trucks, a pair of side walls extending the length of the car coupled to the center sill, and a plurality of trough forming assemblies. At least one trough includes integrated manually operated adjustable coil stops configured to prevent lateral shifting of coils carried within the trough. At least one trough includes a vertically adjustable trough height.

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.