Abstract: A light weight gondola car having side walls constructed of a plurality of upper and lower sheets with a longitudinal stiffener being formed from lower portions of the upper and lower sheets. A bolster transition stake joins the side sheet, top chord, bolster web, and side sill for increased strength. The load from the truck assemblies is transmitted to the car body through load carriers. Diagonal truss members strengthened the end panels. The body frame is connected to the center sill with a reinforcement plate. The center sill and draft sills are interconnected by a tie plate.

Abstract: An attachment for attaching the ends of concave floor panels of a gondola car to the center sill by a plate extending through the vertical cover plate of the floor panels and being affixed to the floor panels and to the center sill. The plate includes a curved contour adjacent the concave floor panels and is affixed by lock bolts to both the floor panels and to the center sill. Angle members affix the vertical cover plates to the ends of the concave floor panels.