Abstract: According to particular embodiments, a door operating system comprises: a rotating handle removably coupled to a first gear; the first gear coupled to a second gear; the second gear removably coupled to a worm gear; and the worm gear coupled to a rotating plate. Rotation of the handle rotates the first gear which rotates the second gear which rotates the worm gear which rotates the rotating plate to cause the door to open or close. The first gear is swappable with the second gear to modify a gear ratio of the door operating system.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a longitudinal door system comprising one or more longitudinal doors for a railcar and a longitudinal operating beam coupled to the one or more longitudinal doors via one or more struts. A translation of the longitudinal operating beam is coupled to an opening and closing of the one or more longitudinal doors. The door system further comprising a gearbox coupled to the longitudinal operating beam and a first capstan receptacle. The gearbox is operable to translate a rotational movement of the first capstan receptacle to a linear movement of the longitudinal operating beam.

Abstract: A railway car is disclosed. The railway car comprises an underframe and at least one compartment for transporting lading. The railway car comprises at least one discharge opening and a door assembly adjacent to the at least one discharge opening. The railway car comprises a discharge control system comprising at least a common linkage mounted away from a longitudinal centerline of the railway car and a secondary linkage, wherein the discharge control system is operable to move the door assembly between a first position and a second position. The railway car comprises an actuator operable to drive movement of the common linkage in connection with movement of the door assembly between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: According to particular embodiments, a door operating system comprises: a rotating handle removably coupled to a first gear; the first gear coupled to a second gear; the second gear removably coupled to a worm gear; and the worm gear coupled to a rotating plate. Rotation of the handle rotates the first gear which rotates the second gear which rotates the worm gear which rotates the rotating plate to cause the door to open or close. The first gear is swappable with the second gear to modify a gear ratio of the door operating system.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a boxcar door operating system comprises a rotating plate, a first lock bar, and a second lock bar. The rotating plate comprises a first lock bar engagement for engaging and disengaging the first lock bar and a second lock bar engagement for engaging and disengaging the second lock bar. An angular position of the first lock bar engagement with respect to a center of rotation of the rotating plate is different than an angular position of the second lock bar engagement with respect to the center of rotation of the rotating plate such that rotation of the rotating plate engages or disengages the first lock bar at a different time than the second lock bar.

Abstract: A railcar comprises a composite floor assembly. The composite floor assembly comprises a plurality of channels disposed on top of an underframe and longitudinally extending along a length of the composite floor assembly. Each of the plurality of channels forms a recessed portion to allow the flow of liquid. The composite floor assembly further comprises an integral drain pan integrated into the composite floor assembly such that the integral drain pan forms a recessed portion along the longitudinal end of the composite floor assembly. The integral drain pan is configured to accumulate the liquid flown from the plurality of channels.

Abstract: An IBC storage box assembly is elevated from a railcar. A vertical beam is used to elevate the storage box off the railcar so that the storage box is more easily accessed from a rail platform. Additionally, the vertical beam may provide some clearance for the storage box so that the storage box is not impacted by the railcar coupler during transport.

Abstract: A railway car is disclosed. The railway car comprises an underframe and at least one compartment for transporting lading. The railway car comprises at least one discharge opening and a door assembly adjacent to the at least one discharge opening. The railway car comprises a discharge control system comprising at least a common linkage mounted away from a longitudinal centerline of the railway car and a secondary linkage, wherein the discharge control system is operable to move the door assembly between a first position and a second position. The railway car comprises an actuator operable to drive movement of the common linkage in connection with movement of the door assembly between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A floor section for an insulated railcar includes a floor plate and a composite section coupled to the floor plate. The composite section includes a plurality of composite beams aligned parallel to one another. Each composite beam of the plurality of composite beams includes an inner core and an outer material surrounding the inner core. The inner core includes an insulating material and is configured to support the outer material. An upper surface of each composite beam of the plurality of composite beams, which extends along a length of the composite beam, is coupled to an underside of the floor plate.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a longitudinal door system comprising one or more longitudinal doors for a railcar and a longitudinal operating beam coupled to the one or more longitudinal doors via one or more struts. A translation of the longitudinal operating beam is coupled to an opening and closing of the one or more longitudinal doors. The door system further comprising a gearbox coupled to the longitudinal operating beam and a first capstan receptacle. The gearbox is operable to translate a rotational movement of the first capstan receptacle to a linear movement of the longitudinal operating beam.

Abstract: An IBC storage box assembly is elevated from a railcar. A vertical beam is used to elevate the storage box off the railcar so that the storage box is more easily accessed from a rail platform. Additionally, the vertical beam may provide some clearance for the storage box so that the storage box is not impacted by the railcar coupler during transport.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a refrigerated railcar comprises a pair of side walls, a roof, a floor, and a refrigeration unit. The floor comprises a bottom structure comprising a plurality of channels for return air flow from an interior of the railcar to the refrigeration unit. The floor further comprises at least two top plates coupled to the bottom structure (e.g., via a pivot rod). Each of the top plates extends longitudinally along the bottom structure and is configured to rotate up and away from the bottom structure proximate one of the side walls of the pair of side walls. Lifting an edge of a top plate opposite the edge of the top plate pivotally coupled to the bottom structure causes the top plate to rotate to an upright position exposing the plurality of channels of the bottom structure.

Abstract: A floor section for an insulated railcar includes a floor plate and a composite section coupled to the floor plate. The composite section includes a plurality of composite beams aligned parallel to one another. Each composite beam of the plurality of composite beams includes an inner core and an outer material surrounding the inner core. The inner core includes an insulating material and is configured to support the outer material. An upper surface of each composite beam of the plurality of composite beams, which extends along a length of the composite beam, is coupled to an underside of the floor plate.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an articulated railcar comprises a first railcar and a second railcar coupled via an articulated railcar truck. The first railcar and the second railcar each comprise a first end, a second end, and a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side disposed between the first end and the second end. The first longitudinal side comprises a center panel and an intermediate panel. The center panel is disposed between a center of the railcar and the intermediate panel. The intermediate panel is disposed between the center panel and the first end or the second end. A width of the railcar at the intermediate panel is greater than a width of the railcar at the center panel.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises at least two hoppers for transporting a commodity. Each hopper comprises a pair of side walls and a floor. The railcar further comprises a composite partition separating the hoppers. The composite partition comprises a frame comprising a first material coupled to the pair of side walls and the floor at a location separating hoppers. The frame comprises a center opening. The frame is configured to provide structural support for structural loads exerted on the pair of side walls and the floor. The composite partition further comprises a composite section comprising a second material coupled to the frame and covering the central opening of the frame. The composite section is configured to withstand loads exerted on the composite section by the commodity transported in the hoppers.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a discharge door locking system for a railcar discharge door comprises a lock piston configured to move between a first position (not engaged with an operating beam coupled to a discharge door) and a second position (engaged). The locking system comprises a first and second input. Activation of the first input moves the lock piston to the first position, and activation of the second input moves the lock piston to the second position. The first input of the locking system is coupled to a first input of an operating cylinder coupled to the operating beam. The first input of the operating cylinder is configured to move the discharge door to the open position.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a longitudinal door system comprising one or more longitudinal doors for a railcar and a longitudinal operating beam coupled to the one or more longitudinal doors via one or more struts. A translation of the longitudinal operating beam is coupled to an opening and closing of the one or more longitudinal doors. The door system further comprising a gearbox coupled to the longitudinal operating beam and a first capstan receptacle. The gearbox is operable to translate a rotational movement of the first capstan receptacle to a linear movement of the longitudinal operating beam.

Abstract: A system for determining a center of gravity (COG) of a commodity of a railcar comprises a plurality of sensors and a computing device. At least a first sensor from the plurality of sensors is disposed on a first center plate of the railcar. At least a second sensor from the plurality of sensors is disposed on a second center plate of the railcar. Each sensor is configured to determine a change in force imposed on the sensor based on a change in micro strain on the sensor. The computing device receives a plurality of force values from the plurality of sensors. The computing device determines a weight of the railcar body and commodity by combining the received force values. The computing device determines the COG of the railcar body and commodity based at least on the plurality of force values and the weight of the railcar.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a refrigerated railcar comprises a pair of side walls, a roof, a floor, and a refrigeration unit. The floor comprises a bottom structure comprising a plurality of channels for return air flow from an interior of the railcar to the refrigeration unit. The floor further comprises at least two top plates coupled to the bottom structure (e.g., via a pivot rod). Each of the top plates extends longitudinally along the bottom structure and is configured to rotate up and away from the bottom structure proximate one of the side walls of the pair of side walls. Lifting an edge of a top plate opposite the edge of the top plate pivotally coupled to the bottom structure causes the top plate to rotate to an upright position exposing the plurality of channels of the bottom structure.

Abstract: A railway car is disclosed. The railway car comprises an underframe and at least one compartment for transporting lading. The railway car comprises at least one discharge opening and a door assembly adjacent to the at least one discharge opening. The railway car comprises a discharge control system comprising at least a common linkage mounted away from a longitudinal centerline of the railway car and a secondary linkage, wherein the discharge control system is operable to move the door assembly between a first position and a second position. The railway car comprises an actuator operable to drive movement of the common linkage in connection with movement of the door assembly between the first position and the second position.