Abstract: A center beam rail road car has a center sill that runs along the car from end to end. The center sill is dog-legged, having end portions mounted over rail car trucks, and a downwardly stepped central portion between the trucks. A central beam assembly stands upwardly of the center sill. A lading supporting deck structure extends laterally to either side of the center sill. The deck structure has a depressed medial portion between the trucks, and raised end portions over the trucks. The deck portions have lading bearing interfaces. The medial portion of the center sill has a top flange that is carried at a height that lies flush with, or below, the level of the lading bearing interface of the medial portion of the center sill. In one embodiment, a column member for carrying buff and draft loads is spaced upwardly from the medial portion of the center sill.

Abstract: A center beam car has a main deck structure extending laterally from a main center sill, and a central vertically oriented central beam structure. The center beam so formed defines bunks upon in which to carry cargo. The upper region of the web-work structure includes a top chord mounted to run between two end bulkheads. The cargo can be secured to the deck with straps or webs. When the car is empty the straps or webs can be stored within boxes that are accessible at deck level by a person of average height. The storage boxes can be along the center line of the car, between the posts of the center beam, or they can be located adjacent to the side sills. Further, the boxes can be movable to a raised position, or to a lowered, stored position. A reeling mechanism is provided to facilitate winding of the straps or webs for storage.