Abstract: A railcar for transporting coal includes steel sheets metallized with an aluminum coating on the interior surfaces thereof normally engaged by coal lading. A coating thickness of substantially 0.006-0.009 inch significantly extends the service life of the railcar by inhibiting corrosion and abrasion of the steel sheets by the coal. The method includes the steps of cleaning all interior surfaces of the railcar sheets prior to a metallizing operation and followed by application of a seal coat.

Abstract: A railway car adapted to convey cylindrical objects such as coils includes a plurality of fixed trough members and sections of shiftable inclined trough assemblies disposed atop a support deck. By selectively laterally displacing the shiftable trough assemblies the car is alternately configured to provide single/triple or double troughs, or a combination thereof, in order to achieve maximum lading capacity in any one car regardless of the diameters of the coils. Positioning elements on each shiftable trough assembly alternately mate with a fixed trough member or separate positioning elements on the support deck to specifically define the various trough modes. A lock assembly is operable to engage a retainer element carried by each shiftable trough assembly when located in either mode.

Abstract: A railway hopper car includes a curved roof having a roof sheet provided with lateral edges each joined to the top of a car side sheet by a top chord assembly. Each top chord assembly includes a top chord fully disposed within the car interior and having a vertical leg joined to the interior surface of a side sheet while an opposite inclined or angular leg is joined to the interior surface of the roof sheet. A curved cover overlies both top chord legs and forms, with the roof sheet and side sheet, a smooth continuously descending profile from the top centerline of the car roof to each of the car sides.