Abstract: An insert for a hold down bar which serves to hold down adjacent hatch covers of a railroad hopper car. The hold down bar includes an inverted channel, and the insert includes a rigid bar which carries a resilient gasket. The bar can be bolted in the channel with the gasket located to seal against the end of the hatch cover when the hold down bar is located down on the cover. The insert is used when an older hatch cover having a rain bar is replaced by a replacement cover that lacks a rain bar. The insert occupies half of the channel so that a second identical insert can be added if two adjacent hatch covers are replacement covers without rain bars.

Abstract: A hatch cover for railroad hopper cars and a method of constructing same. The hatch cover includes a main panel and a stepped periphery, both of which are constructed of polyester resin impregnated with glass fiber reinforcement. Stiffening ribs on the panel include a honeycomb core enclosed by a rigid shell formed by glass fiber reinforced resin. The entire periphery of the panel is strengthened by thickening it, and the areas to which the hinges are attached is thickened additionally. The hatch cover is constructed by applying an exterior protective coating to a mold surface, spraying resin and chopped glass fibers into the mold, inserting the honeycomb core portions of the ribs into the mold in a crossing pattern, and spraying additional resin and glass fibers onto the honeycomb to form the shell which encloses the core of each rib.