Abstract: A bridge plate assembly for use in moving vehicles between rail cars for loading and unloading is of sufficient width to accommodate vehicles of varying wheelbase and includes relatively movable telescopic bridge panel members. One of the panel members has top and bottom face layers bonded to an intermediate low density core. The other panel member is in the form of a hollow shroud which in part encloses the first identified panel member. The relatively movable panel members are biased toward maximum extension and there is a stop for limiting the extension of the panel members.

Abstract: A novel combination of a rail car supported on a within the center bowl of its truck bolster comprises a unitary wear liner closely fitted within the center bowl so as to require no exterior protection from grit and debris carried in the environment outside that of the center plate assembly held in the bowl. The unitary wear liner is required to be formed from specified reaction injection molded (RIM) polymers which when molded, are found to be free of microscopic voids >20 .mu.m and therefore, fully dense. This property of being fully dense unexpectedly allows the liner to have specified physical properties which permit a railroad car truck equipped with the liners to operate with exceptional reliability, safety and for a long period of time.

Abstract: A railroad car truck includes a pair of side frames and a bolster which is supported by springs on the side frame. There are diagonal cross braces attached to the side frames with each cross brace being attached to one side frame on one side of the bolster and being attached to the other side frame on the opposite side of the bolster. There are mounting brackets fixed to the side frame and there is an end block attached with elastomeric mounting elements to each mounting bracket. The end blocks mount the cross braces. Each end block has a profile such as not to materially interfere with the scan area of a hot box detector mounted adjacent one of the railroad track rails.