Abstract: A bottom door discharge mechanism for a railway hopper car includes a bell crank arm for each of the doors located in pairs at the bottom of the hopper. The arms are tripped from track side cams on opposite sides of the car for movement to open and closed positions. A safety locking mechanism is provided which during transit positively locks the arms against rotation to an open position. The locking mechanism includes arms or cam followers which are actuated from the track side opening cam thereby disengaging said locking mechanisms just prior to engagement of a second cam follower with said track side cam whereupon the bell crank levers are actuated to move the doors to their open position.

Abstract: A hopper car roof is provided with a plurality of hatch covers positioned over an elongated trough through which materials are loaded into the car. The hatch covers are locked over the trough by means of a hatch cover locking device which includes a hinge strap adapted to engage adjacent end portions of the trough hatch covers with the strap having an outwardly projecting tab engaged by a locking bar which is tightly held in a closed locking arrangement by means of an improved foot operated latch secured to the hopper roof.