Abstract: An improved type "E" railway coupler with a top and bottom shelf is provided for reducing the possibility of derailments of railroad cars caused by accidental disengagement of interlocking couplers. The improved coupler has a top planar surface for fixedly carrying the top shelf and has a bottom planar surface for fixedly carrying the bottom shelf. The top shelf includes an upper abutment surface limiting the upward vertical movement of a mating coupler and has a set of downwardly-extending coplanar pads seated upon the top planar surface. The bottom shelf includes a lower abutment surface limiting the bottom vertical movement of a mating coupler and has a set of upwardly-extending coplanar pads positioned against the bottom planar surface.

Abstract: An elongated unitary center-sill-and-center-brace member for use with sectionalized railroad car center sills is disclosed herein. The member includes reduced wall portions at each end for telescopic engagement with an inboard center sill section and an outboard center sill section, either of which may be of the double-Z or Wierton-type. In either case, the top surfaces of the sill sections and the top surface of the member lie in the same plane so as to define a flat upper surface for the sill assembly.

Abstract: The following specification describes a replacement method and part for a coupler butt end in which the coupler is severed at the narrow hollow perimeter wall of the coupler shank close to the solid worn butt end portion. A cast replacement butt end part having a chamfer at the front end and a ring lip spaced inwardly of the front end is fitted to the coupler shank and welded thereto. The lip serves as a back up for the weld between the end surfaces of the coupler shank and the front end of the replacement part.