Abstract: A railway car truck assembly having an integral H-frame includes longitudinally extending side frames integrally attached to a transverse member having a center bearing. The side frames are resiliently mounted for rocking movement on truck journal boxes. The side frames each include a constant contact side bearing adapted to take the weight of the car body. Each side bearing has an upper surface made of a first low friction material. A car body located above the truck pivots about the center bearing and includes laterally spaced depending portions having a lower surface made of a second low friction material supported on the side bearings. One of the first and second low friction materials includes filled nylon and the other low friction material includes filled polytetrafluoroethylene. The coefficient of friction between the first and second low friction materials is sufficiently low to allow relative rotation between the truck and car body.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a diagonal strut for a railway trailer hitch is provided including a rubber-in-shear cushioning assembly including a center member and spaced outer members. Elastomeric material is bonded to the center member and spaced outer members. A fixed portion of the diagonal strut is attached to the car deck or to a plate adapted to be attached to the car deck. A movable portion of the strut is attached to the head of the hitch. In one embodiment the center member is movable relative to the spaced side members under buff loads to put the resilient material in shear, and under draft loads the spaced side members are movable relative to the center member to put the resilient material in shear. In another embodiment the center member is movable relative to the spaced side members under draft loads to put the resilient material in shear, and under buff loads the spaced side members move relative to the center member to place the elastomeric material in shear.

Abstract: A diagonal strut energy absorbing cushioning assembly for use in a trailer hitch for holding piggyback trailers in place on railway flat cars including an inclined longitudinally extending fixed member attached to the deck of a railway car and an inclined longitudinally extending movable member spaced from said fixed member. The movable member is attached to a kingpin engagement assembly of a railway trailer hitch for holding in place the kingpin of a highway trailer. A resilient assembly is carried by the fixed and movable members. The resilient assembly includes at least one elastomeric member attached to a first surface on the fixed member and a second surface spaced from the first surface attached to the movable member. The elastomeric material is shearable between the first and second surfaces under cushioning loads.

Abstract: In a railway car truck a transverse member is provided including spaced sides and a member joining said sides to define a hollow portion having an open bottom such that the shear center is spaced upwardly from the neutral axis of the section. A truck center bearing is provided at about the mid portion of said transverse member which is located at about said shear center so that torsional deflection or twisting of the transverse member is avoided.

Abstract: In an elastomer-in-shear cushioning assembly is provided within the diagonal strut of a railway car trailer hitch. Elastomeric material is bonded to a fixed portion of the strut and to a portion of the strut which is movable relative to the fixed portion. Elastomer-in-shear cushioning is less expensive and has lower maintenance costs than hydraulic units. Elastomer-in-shear units absorb considerably more energy per unit volume than rubber-in-compression units. The elastomeric material may be placed under lateral compression to increase the fatigue life of the elastomeric material. Cover plates may be attached to the cushioning assembly to maximize the amount of energy absorbed per unit length of displacement.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a railway car truck is provided including a pair of transversely spaced side frames and a transom which is attached solely to the side frames with a rigid connection to define an integral H frame to maintain the side frames parallel and resist truck hunting. The transom has a cross section which provides torsional flexibility which allows the side frames to rock relative to one another. Above the transom a bolster is provided which extends transversely between the side frames and rests upon spring assemblies mounted in openings in the side frames. The weight of the car body is by car body bearing assemblies mounted on the bolster above the spring assemblies. A bolster center bearing is provided which engages the car body and transmits substantially all horizontal loads from the car body through the bolster to the side frames.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a railway hopper car is provided having an enclosed quadrilateral tube as a through sill. The enclosed tube through sill has end portions which are welded to the car end sills at opposite ends of the car. The end sills are integrally attached to the side sills. The end sections also have attached thereto a center plate and a bolster cover plate. The bolster cover plate extends from the center sill to the side sill. At least one bolster web extends vertically from the bolster cover plate to the end sheet of the car. The hopper slope sheets are reinforced by means of generally triangular shaped members attached to the through sill and attached to the hopper slope sheets.