Abstract: Pivot mounts for enabling pivotal attachment of support struts of a fifth wheel hitch assembly to the deck of a raiway car are provided with a fabricated inverted U shaped torque box or beam fixed transversely between upright pivot mount plates of the center sill mounted hitch on the railway car for structural strength and rigidity. Due to the torque box the mount is sufficiently rigid to preclude the need to attach the pivot mount to the inside of the box sill of a railway car.

Abstract: A connection for joining the edges of a roof sheet to the wall of a railway car without the use of fasteners such as rivets or welds. The connection is weather-tight and includes an interlock feature which effectively carries the loading encountered during operation of the vehicle. A modified version of the interlock forms a trough for channeling water towards the ends of the railway car.

Abstract: A modular rear draft lug and center filler construction for railway vehicles comprising a pair of rear draft lugs which extend from the draft sill area along each side of the inside of the center sill and continue through the center filler area to rear draft lug stops. A number of slotted plates are fitted over portions of the draft lugs and attached to a bottom cover plate which nests into the center sill. A center plate has a mounting skirt with upwardly extending flanges to abut each end of the bottom cover plate to resist longitudinal impact forces. The rear draft lugs are mechanically attached to the center sill and the center filler plates, center plate and rear draft lug stops may be easily installed after the rear draft lugs are attached. The riveted construction provides for even force distribution and alignment and ease of replacement should damage or failure occur.

Abstract: A reinforcing member for inhibiting failure caused by metal fatigue in the walls of the hatch coaming in a covered hopper car. The reinforcing member utilizes the combination of a weld and a mechanical connection to provide a reinforcement which effectively resists both axial loading and bending moments that cause fatigue failure.

Abstract: A high volume railway gondola car particularly suited for high speed rail operations having a bracing structure extending the length of the car including a plurality of serially interconnected V-shaped trusses having laterally longitudinally downwardly convergent bracing members coupling the car walls to the underframe along the centerline of the car.