Abstract: An aluminum hopper car having a center sill hood which uses aluminum collar castings to connect cross ridge hoods which intersect a center sill hood, and to connect the center sill hood with intersecting sloped car end walls.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car having bottom discharge doors, an elongated beam assembly along the bottom of the car, door operating levers to open and close the doors connected to the beam assembly and doors, and lost motion timing connections in the beam assembly which permits displacement of beam sections to open and close pairs or sets of doors in a sequential but substantially simultaneous and automatic order so ast to permit reduction of air pressure required to open the doors, or permit use of smaller diameter air cylinder, a pneumatic drive to move the beam in opposite directions to open and close the doors, and a secondary lock to maintain the beam stationary unless pneumatic pressure intentionally operates the pneumatic drive, with the lock being positioned to be readily seen when locked and safely operated if necessary from the wayside.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car comprising an elongated car body having a plurality of laterally pivoted bottom discharge doors; a door opening and closing elongated beam assembly positioned longitudinal of and along the bottom portion of the car; a plurality of spaced apart door operating levers mounted on a pivot lateral to the car body along and to the bottom of the car; the door operating lever pivot including a lateral shaft to which the operating lever is fixedly joined; a pair of laterally spaced apart supports on the car body beneath the elongated beam assembly with each support carrying a bearing mount for the door operating lever pivot; each bearing mount being fixedly joined to the support at a position determined by the actual position of the beam sections when installed rather than at a predetermined location on the support thereby making it unnecessary to include elements to adjust the length of each beam section.

Abstract: A railroad hopper car having bottom discharge doors, an elongated beam assembly along the bottom of the car, door operating levers to open and close the doors connected to the beam assembly and doors, and lost motion connections in the beam assembly which permit displacement of beam sections to open and close pairs of doors in a sequential but substantially simultaneous and automatic order, and a pneumatic drive to move the beam in opposite directions to open and close the doors.

Abstract: A curved roof construction for a hopper type rail car wherein a plurality of roof support webs extend transversely between opposed car side walls at spaced intervals to each other. These webs provide support for a plurality of large roof panels which are disposed in generally end to end relationships and define the roof surface. The support webs have outwardly curved or bowed conformations between opposed ends thereof so that the roof panels will be similarly bowed. The roof panels are installed so as to define an elongated roof hatch opening generally centrally between and longitudinally of the car side walls. A roof coaming is associated with the roof panels in an adjacent surrounding relationship with the hatch opening. Elongated side plates fixedly secured to the car side walls adjacent to the top edges thereof provide mounting surfaces for the outer side edges of associated ones of the roof panels.

Abstract: A coupler arrangement for rapid transit passenger cars includes a self-centering coupler shank having limited horizontal and vertical swinging movement about a spherical bearing structure. The arrangement includes first and second shock absorbing mechanisms sequentially effective. A pin type coupler includes a locking arrangement on the coupler structure engageable with the coupler pin.

Abstract: A combination end door and emergency stairway unit operates as a conventional rapid transit door to allow movement between cars. The unit also includes an auxiliary door inner frame pivotally mounting a staircase that may be rotated and lowered to the ground to allow passengers to alight from the vehicle. A locking, linkage mechanism securely interconnects the auxiliary door, the inner frame, and the movable staircase to form the vehicle end door unit.

Abstract: A railway car includes a chassis supported on two sub-frames which are relatively pivotally movable. The sub-frames support propulsion motors, differentials, and driven flanged wheels. And intermediate steering axle and wheel assembly are transversly movable in response to track curvature and a steering beam extending outwardly from the steering axle pivots the sub-frames for steering movement.

Abstract: A sleeping berth movable between stored and use positions includes an elongated pan having a central substantially deep portion and at opposite ends substantially narrower portions which contain a suitably shaped mattress. The shallow portions in the use position of the bed increase the head room for passengers seated on the compartment seats. The pan or shell of the berth also includes at one side thereof a tubular beam construction which houses a linkage mechanism for releasably locking the berth in use and non-use positions.

Abstract: A convertible passenger seat headrest for a railway sleeping compartment having a convertible seat and bed arrangement. The headrest is pivotally supported from the compartment wall at its lower end and includes a stowable ladder folded within it when the headrest is in the raised position. When it is desired to make up the upper berth of the sleeping compartment, the headrest can be pivoted outwardly from the wall and the ladder unfolded to form a ladder and step which a passenger can use to climb into the upper berth.