Abstract: According to some embodiments, a modular railcar comprises: a pair of trucks disposed near each end of the modular railcar; an underframe coupled to the pair of trucks and supported by the pair of trucks. The underframe comprises a plurality of coupling apparatus. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple a modular top container to the underframe. According to some embodiments, a modular top container comprises: a floor panel configured to transport a lading; and a plurality of coupling apparatus coupled to the floor panel. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple the modular top container to a modular railcar. The floor panel is configured to support the weight of the lading when detached from the modular railcar.

Abstract: A side wall for a railcar includes a plurality of integrated side sheets. Each of the integrated side sheets includes a sheet of metal having a top side edge and a bottom side edge extending from a first end to a second end of the sheet of metal. The sheet of metal further includes a flat area portion extending a first distance from the first end towards the second end between the top side edge and the bottom side edge. The sheet of metal further includes a side post portion adjacent to the flat portion, the side post portion comprising a plurality of bends forming a recess. The plurality of bends forming the recess includes at least a first bend, a second bend, a third bend, and a fourth bend. Adjacent integrated side sheets may be coupled together to form the side wall.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a housing with a chamber formed within a bore of the housing. The assembly further includes a tapered center shaft disposed at least partially within the bore of the housing. The chamber includes an angled contact surface, a sliding wedge, and a load spring. The sliding wedge is positioned to apply a force onto the angled contact surface of the chamber. The sliding wedge is also positioned to apply a frictional force to a rod portion of the tapered center shaft. The load spring is compressed between a contact surface of the chamber and a contact surface of the sliding wedge. The load spring is positioned to apply a compressive force onto the contact surface of sliding wedge toward the angled contact surface of the chamber.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a modular railcar comprises: a pair of trucks disposed near each end of the modular railcar; an underframe coupled to the pair of trucks and supported by the pair of trucks. The underframe comprises a plurality of coupling apparatus. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple a modular top container to the underframe. According to some embodiments, a modular top container comprises: a floor panel configured to transport a lading; and a plurality of coupling apparatus coupled to the floor panel. The plurality of coupling apparatus are configured to couple the modular top container to a modular railcar. The floor panel is configured to support the weight of the lading when detached from the modular railcar.

Abstract: A side wall for a railcar includes a plurality of integrated side sheets. Each of the integrated side sheets includes a sheet of metal having a top side edge and a bottom side edge extending from a first end to a second end of the sheet of metal. The sheet of metal further includes a flat area portion extending a first distance from the first end towards the second end between the top side edge and the bottom side edge. The sheet of metal further includes a side post portion adjacent to the flat portion, the side post portion comprising a plurality of bends forming a recess. The plurality of bends forming the recess includes at least a first bend, a second bend, a third bend, and a fourth bend. Adjacent integrated side sheets may be coupled together to form the side wall.

Abstract: An assembly that includes a housing with a chamber formed within a bore of the housing. The assembly further includes a tapered center shaft disposed at least partially within the bore of the housing. The chamber includes an angled contact surface, a sliding wedge, and a load spring. The sliding wedge is positioned to apply a force onto the angled contact surface of the chamber. The sliding wedge is also positioned to apply a frictional force to a rod portion of the tapered center shaft. The load spring is compressed between a contact surface of the chamber and a contact surface of the sliding wedge. The load spring is positioned to apply a compressive force onto the contact surface of sliding wedge toward the angled contact surface of the chamber.