Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a retaining catch and a latch. The retaining catch is attached at a first end of a bridge plate kit of the railcar. The latch is disposed on a deck of the railcar. The latch includes a stationary portion attached to the deck and a pendulum portion rotationally coupled to the stationary portion. The pendulum portion rotates about an axis in and through the stationary portion. The pendulum portion includes a stop preventing rotation of the pendulum portion through the stationary portion beyond a stop angle. The retaining catch causes the pendulum portion to rotate from a first position to a second position away from the bridge plate kit. The pendulum portion rotates back to the first position after the bridge plate kit has been flipped over. The pendulum portion in the first position retains the bridge plate kit in the flipped over position.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a wheel, restraint system comprises a chock track coupled to a vehicle transport, an anchor mandrel, a ratchet mandrel, and a strap. The anchor mandrel is coupled to the chock track on a first side of a vehicle tire and comprises a pair of strap guides. The distance between the pair of strap guides is wider than the strap. The ratchet mandrel is coupled to the chock track on a second side of the tire. The ratchet mandrel comprises a ratchet for applying a rotational force and a slot for receiving the strap. The slot is wider than the strap. One end of the strap is coupled to the anchor mandrel and the other is inserted into the ratchet mandrel slot. Applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel produces a tightening force that tightens the strap around a portion of the vehicle tire.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a wheel restraint system comprises a chock track coupled to a vehicle transport, an anchor mandrel, a ratchet mandrel, and a strap. The anchor mandrel is coupled to the chock track on a first side of a vehicle tire and comprises a pair of strap guides. The distance between the pair of strap guides is wider than the strap. The ratchet mandrel is coupled to the chock track on a second side of the tire. The ratchet mandrel comprises a ratchet for applying a rotational force and a slot for receiving the strap. The slot is wider than the strap. One end of the strap is coupled to the anchor mandrel and the other is inserted into the ratchet mandrel slot. Applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel produces a tightening force that tightens the strap around a portion of the vehicle tire.

Abstract: A system for restraining a vehicle includes a deck of a transport. The deck includes one or more grated panels. The system also includes a vehicle restraint assembly configured to secure a vehicle to the deck of the transport. The vehicle restraint assembly includes an anchor coupled to a first end of a strap. The anchor includes a first plurality of hooks configured to couple the anchor to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels. The vehicle restraint assembly further includes a ratchet coupled to a second end of the strap. The ratchet includes a second plurality of hooks configured to couple the ratchet to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels.

Abstract: A railcar system is disclosed. The railcar system comprises a railcar and a grate track assembly disposed longitudinally within the railcar. The grate track assembly comprises: a first grate; a second grate; and a center hinge disposed between the first grate and the second grate. The center hinge is rotatably coupled to the first grate along a first longitudinal edge of the center hinge and rotatably coupled to the second grate along a second longitudinal edge of the center hinge.

Abstract: A retaining apparatus includes a retaining catch and a latch. The retaining catch is attached at a first end of a bridge plate kit of the railcar. The latch is disposed on a deck of the railcar. The latch includes a stationary portion attached to the deck and a pendulum portion rotationally coupled to the stationary portion. The pendulum portion rotates about an axis in and through the stationary portion. The pendulum portion includes a stop preventing rotation of the pendulum portion through the stationary portion beyond a stop angle. The retaining catch causes the pendulum portion to rotate from a first position to a second position away from the bridge plate kit. The pendulum portion rotates back to the first position after the bridge plate kit has been flipped over. The pendulum portion in the first position retains the bridge plate kit in the flipped over position.

Abstract: A method of shipping automobiles, railcars for shipping automobiles, and methods of manufacturing railcars for shipping automobiles to enable more efficient shipping of automobiles by facilitating conversion of autorack cars between unilevel, bi-level and tri-level configurations, and/or by providing increased load factors.

Abstract: A method of increasing the height of an autorack railcar comprising replacement of a conventional roof with an increased height roof assembly that includes integrated vertical side wall extensions, which avoid any need to provide side wall post extensions or additional side screens. The method may be used in conjunction with conversion of bi-level autorack railcars to tri-level autorack railcars, as well as with other conversions involving addition or removal of decks.

Abstract: A system for restraining a vehicle includes a deck of a transport. The deck includes one or more grated panels. The system also includes a vehicle restraint assembly configured to secure a vehicle to the deck of the transport. The vehicle restraint assembly includes an anchor coupled to a first end of a strap. The anchor includes a first plurality of hooks configured to couple the anchor to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels. The vehicle restraint assembly further includes a ratchet coupled to a second end of the strap. The ratchet includes a second plurality of hooks configured to couple the ratchet to the deck of the transport through one or more grate wires of the one or more grated panels.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a wheel restraint system comprises a chock track coupled to a vehicle transport, an anchor mandrel, a ratchet mandrel, and a strap. The anchor mandrel is coupled to the chock track on a first side of a vehicle tire and comprises a pair of strap guides. The distance between the pair of strap guides is wider than the strap. The ratchet mandrel is coupled to the chock track on a second side of the tire. The ratchet mandrel comprises a ratchet for applying a rotational force and a slot for receiving the strap. The slot is wider than the strap. One end of the strap is coupled to the anchor mandrel and the other is inserted into the ratchet mandrel slot. Applying a rotational force to the ratchet mandrel produces a tightening force that tightens the strap around a portion of the vehicle tire.

Abstract: A method of shipping automobiles, railcars for shipping automobiles, and methods of manufacturing railcars for shipping automobiles to enable more efficient shipping of automobiles by facilitating conversion of autorack cars between unilevel, bi-level and tri-level configurations, and/or by providing increased load factors.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus for securing railcar doors comprises a staple affixed to a portion of a railcar. The staple defines a staple hole. The apparatus further comprises a hasp. The hasp comprises a hinge. The hasp further comprises a first portion pivotally coupled to the hinge. The first portion is affixed to the railcar. The hasp further comprises a second portion. The second portion comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of the second portion is pivotally coupled to the hinge. The second end is opposite the first end. The second portion of the hasp comprises a square key plug configured to be inserted into a square key hole of a railcar door. The second portion of the hasp defines a first hole through which a portion of the staple may pass when the hasp is in a closed position.

Abstract: A method of shipping automobiles, railcars for shipping automobiles, and methods of manufacturing railcars for shipping automobiles to enable more efficient shipping of automobiles by facilitating conversion of autorack cars between unilevel, bi-level and tri-level configurations, and/or by providing increased load factors.

Abstract: An apparatus includes one or more locking pins coupled to a railcar door of a railcar. Each locking pin includes an inserted portion at a first end of the locking pin. The inserted portion includes a pin taper in the direction towards the first end of the locking pin. The apparatus further includes a first receiver coupled to the railcar. The first receiver defines a recess. The recess comprises a receiver taper compatible with the pin taper. Inserting the inserted portion of a respective one of the one or more locking pins into the recess of the first receiver restricts movement of the railcar door.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus for securing railcar doors comprises a staple affixed to a portion of a railcar. The staple defines a staple hole. The apparatus further comprises a hasp. The hasp comprises a hinge. The hasp further comprises a first portion pivotally coupled to the hinge. The first portion is affixed to the railcar. The hasp further comprises a second portion. The second portion comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of the second portion is pivotally coupled to the hinge. The second end is opposite the first end. The second portion of the hasp comprises a square key plug configured to be inserted into a square key hole of a railcar door. The second portion of the hasp defines a first hole through which a portion of the staple may pass when the hasp is in a closed position.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, an apparatus for railcar doors comprises a locking plug configured to be disposed within a square key hole. The locking plug comprises a front portion defining a recess having a recess shape. The apparatus comprises a key element. The key element comprises a key element shaft having a shape corresponding to the recess shape. The key element is configured to be inserted into the locking plug and to transfer a torsional force from the key element to the square key hole. In particular embodiments, the locking plug may comprise a back portion. The locking plug is disposed within the square key hole by a weld connecting the back portion of the locking plug to a portion of the square key hole.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a railcar comprises a door, and the door comprises an inside panel and a plurality of ladder rungs coupled to the inside panel arranged in a vertical sequence. The railcar further comprises a folding ladder apparatus comprising a first ladder rung and a second ladder rung. The folding ladder apparatus is pivotally coupled to the inside panel and operable to pivot in a vertical direction between an up position and a down position. When the door is in an open position and the folding ladder apparatus is in the down position, the second ladder rung extends below a bottom of the door facilitating access to the railcar. When the folding ladder apparatus is in the up position, the first ladder rung and the second ladder rung are vertically offset from the plurality of ladder rungs coupled to the inside panel of the door.

Abstract: A vehicle restraint system includes a strap assembly configured to be positioned on a portion of a tire of a vehicle to secure the vehicle to a track assembly. The strap assembly is also configured to be coupled to the track assembly on a first side of the tire. The system also includes a mandrel assembly operable to be coupled to the strap assembly on a second side of the tire, opposite the first side of the tire. The mandrel assembly is configured to engage the track assembly through a first hole in the track assembly. The system further includes a latch assembly configured to be coupled to the mandrel assembly. The latch assembly is also configured to create a coupling between the mandrel assembly and the track assembly.

Abstract: A railcar locking system that includes a railcar with a first radial door and second radial door. The first radial door includes a first keeper on the first radial door and a second keeper disposed above the first keeper on the first radial door. The second radial door includes a first hinge on the second radial door and a second hinge disposed above the first hinge on the second radial door. The second radial door further includes a locking rod that includes a first cam disposed at a first end of the locking rod and a second cam disposed at a second end of the locking rod. The first cam is configured to engage with a first lobe of the first keeper and the second cam is configured to engage with a second lobe of the second keeper when the locking rod is in the locked position.

Abstract: A system for restraining a vehicle includes a deck of a transport. The deck includes a track assembly comprising a plurality of plates. The system also includes a strap assembly configured to secure a vehicle to the deck of the transport. The strap assembly is also configured to be coupled to the deck of the transport through a first plate of the plurality of plates of the track assembly and a second plate of the plurality of plates of the track assembly.