Abstract: Autorack cars, may include a car body and a pair of wheeled trucks supporting the car body. The autorack cars may additionally include a stationary deck segment fixedly attached to the car body and at least one pivoting deck segment that is adjacent to the stationary deck segment and that is pivotably connected to the stationary deck segment such that the at least one pivoting deck segment is pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the stationary deck segment. The at least one pivoting deck segment may be adapted to support at least one vehicle in the lowered and raised positions. The autorack cars may further include at least one pivot assembly for moving the at least one pivoting deck segment between the lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: Autorack cars are disclosed. In one embodiment, the autorack car includes a car body and a pair of wheeled trucks supporting the car body. The autorack car additionally includes a stationary deck segment fixedly attached to the car body and at least one pivoting deck segment that is adjacent to the stationary deck segment and that is pivotably connected to the stationary deck segment such that the at least one pivoting deck segment is pivotable between a lowered position and a raised position relative to the stationary deck segment. The at least one pivoting deck segment is adapted to support at least one vehicle in the lowered and raised positions. The autorack car further includes at least one pivot assembly for moving the at least one pivoting deck segment between the lowered and raised positions.

Abstract: Apparatus for securely fastening both of a pair of doors, such as the doors at an end of an auto rack railroad car, in a closed condition, using a single lock. A hasp mounted on one of the doors can be locked in a securing position in which locking members prevent the locking rod handles from being removed from receptacles that hold the locking rod handles with the locking rods in door-latching positions when the doors are closed. The hasp thus prevents the locking rod handles from being moved to rotate the locking rods from their door-latching positions. A single lock can prevent the hasp from being moved and thus prevent both locking rod handles from being moved.

Abstract: Apparatus for securely fastening both of a pair of doors, such as the doors at an end of an auto rack railroad car, in a dosed condition, using a single lock. A hasp mounted on one of the doors can be locked in a securing position in which locking members prevent the locking rod handles from being removed from receptacles that hold the locking rod handles with the locking rods in door-latching positions when the doors are closed. The hasp thus prevents the locking rod handles from being moved to rotate the locking rods from their door-latching positions. A single lock can prevent the hasp from being moved and thus prevent both locking rod handles from being moved.

Abstract: A fully protective railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles in a selected one of a bi-level or a tri-level configuration, with the lowest level including a depressed longitudinally central portion between body bolsters of the underbody, which may be a low-level flat car. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height to provide for either one or two vehicle-carrying levels above the lowest level, while also providing at least a prescribed amount of vertical clearance above each vehicle-carrying deck. Ramps may be provided on the lowest level at an end of the car to provide a wheel-supporting surface having a prescribed minimum height. A roof structure is light in weight, and the car has an overall height not exceeding a prescribed limit for operation on most rail lines. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors.

Abstract: A fully protective railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles in a selected one of a bi-level or a tri-level configuration, with the lowest level including a depressed longitudinally central portion between body bolsters of the underbody, which may be a low-level flat car. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height to provide for either one or two vehicle-carrying levels above the lowest level, while also providing at least a prescribed amount of vertical clearance above each vehicle-carrying deck. Ramps may be provided on the lowest level at an end of the car to provide a wheel-supporting surface having a prescribed minimum height. A roof structure is light in weight, and the car has an overall height not exceeding a prescribed limit for operation on most rail lines. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors.

Abstract: A fully protective railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles in a selected one of a bi-level or a tri-level configuration, with the lowest level including a depressed longitudinally central portion between body bolsters of the underbody, which may be a low-level flat car. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height to provide for either one or two vehicle-carrying levels above the lowest level, while also providing at least a prescribed amount of vertical clearance above each vehicle-carrying deck. Ramps may be provided on the lowest level at an end of the car to provide a wheel-supporting surface having a prescribed minimum height. A roof structure is light in weight, and the car has an overall height not exceeding a prescribed limit for operation on most rail lines. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors.

Abstract: A railroad car utilizing the maximum width and height allowed by the proposed American Association of Railroads proposed clearance Plate K and including body bolster having a top cover plate at a vertical height lower than a height of a stub sill top cover plate adjacent to a striker. The car fits within the profile of the proposed clearance Plate K by including a stepped lower portion in a side assembly. The stub sill top cover plate ramps down to abut the lower height of the body bolster top cover plate. this ramping allows for an increased height of a lower deck of the rail road car longitudinally closer to an end sill than on previous railroad cars.

Abstract: A multi-unit railroad freight car and a container-carrying intermediate unit for such a car. The intermediate unit is located between and coupled to each of a pair of well units designed for carrying stacked cargo containers. Coupled ends of the intermediate units and adjacent container well units are supported on a shared truck. The intermediate unit includes a center sill, transverse bolsters atop the center sill, and container supporting arms extending from the bolsters and above body bolsters of the adjacent container well units.

Abstract: A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body. An easily removable brake system module incorporates a compressed air reservoir, a dummy reservoir, a brake control valve, train line and brake cylinder connector lines, and a support structure. The module is easily removable and replaceable, allowing for repair and system testing at a shop.

Abstract: A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body.

Abstract: A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body. A hinge for a bridge for use in loading the car is adjustable to a stowage position in an edge of a deck.

Abstract: A fully protective multi-unit railroad freight car for carrying motor vehicles on two or three levels with the lowest level being in a cargo well between a pair of deep side sills. A pair of vehicle-carrying decks are adjustable in height and are counterbalanced against each other during adjustment of their locations. A roof structure is light in weight and constructed of corrugated sheet metal with a self-supporting central portion. The ends of the car are equipped with three-panel folding doors, and a flexible diaphragm closes the space between articulated adjacent car units supported by a shared truck. A modular brake operating system is mounted on the car body.

Abstract: A multi-unit railroad car has adjacent ends of adjacent car units carried upon a shared truck and interconnected by an articulating coupling having a female part attached to one of the car units and a male part attached to the other of the car units. Side bearings for carrying loads generated by the car unit whose end has the female coupling part are of an anti-friction type, and side bearings associated with the car unit whose end has the male coupling part are of a constant-contact, limited-friction type so that turning moments exerted by the car units on the shared truck are kept within a desirable range and are kept balanced against each other to avoid either one of the articulated interconnected car units from adversely steering the shared truck during a curve.